Position overview

• Employment Type: 
• Social Worker Grade 1 Part-time (72 hours per fortnight), Fixed Term position
• Commencing December 2026 until July 2027 (Parental Leave Cover)
• Social Worker Grade 2 Part-time (64 hours per fortnight) Fixed Term Leave Coverage
• Commencing 
• September 2026 - June 2027
• December 2026 - December 2027
• Location: Warrnambool Campus
• Classification: Social Worker Grade 1 $70,590 - $85,872 pro rata, plus superannuation
• Classification: Social Worker Grade 2 $90,235.60 - $103,724.40 pro rata, plus superannuation

About the role

Join the Social Work and Counselling team at South West Healthcare (SWH) in the beautiful region of Warrnambool. As a Social Worker you will provide vital services to clients and their families coping with illness, trauma, grief and loss. In this role, you will provide clinical psychosocial assessments and targeted interventions including risk assessments, supportive counselling, adjustment to illness and complex discharge planning.

This role will work across the acute and subacute wards at Warrnambool Base Hospital with the opportunity to have a rotation into community programs as required. This opportunity allows for experience in a range of clinical areas that will form the foundation of your career.

Scope of Social Work practice includes:

• Assessments - psycho-social assessments, risk assessments around family violence, children at risk, elder abuse and exploitation.
• Counselling, mediation and therapeutic interventions including supporting patients and their families to adjust to diagnosis, trauma and emotional responses to illness and treatment.
• Support children who are experiencing chronic and/or severe medical conditions and help families understand their child's diagnosis and possible reaction
• Grief, loss and bereavement support
• Mediation and conflict resolution and advocating for individuals and their families/carers
• Complex Discharge Planning - Referrals and collaboration with internal and external services to meet patients and family's needs

What you bring

• An Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) accredited bachelor's degree or entry level master's degree of Social Work that provides eligibility for membership of the AASW
• Excellent communication skills, exhibit ethical and professional responsibility, have a high level of clinical assessment and intervention skills preferably within the public health sector 
• Skills in psycho-social assessments, problem solving, communication as well as counselling interventions
• Candidates with experience in health sector preferred but not essential
• All candidates require Australian working rights
• Demonstrate a proven ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
• Commitment to Professional Development - education, quality improvement and evidence-based practices will be your key drivers
• Working with children's check
• Australian Drivers Licence

What we offer

You will enjoy benefits such as:

• Excellent salary packaging options including meals & entertainment, novated leasing and additional superannuation contributions
• 5 weeks annual leave
• Excellent terms and conditions of employment
• Internal and external professional development opportunities
• Ongoing clinical supervision including group supervision and reflective practice
• Dedicated Allied Health Assistants for the Social Work and Counselling team
• A range of internal development opportunities focusing on personal development such as resilience and mentoring workshops and comprehensive leadership programs

Who we are

As an organisation SWH prides themselves on their values; Care, Respect, Excellence, Integrity and Leadership and their overall dedication to the local community. Learn more about SWH here.

SWH is the largest health service in South West Victoria, providing acute, mental health, rehabilitation, and aged care together with an extensive range of primary and community health services across the South West catchment. SWH is the lead agency for the South West Local Health Service Network, presenting an exciting opportunity for SWH to provide strong leadership and support across the entire region. With a population of 39,000 and a catchment of 100,000 Warrnambool is the regional centre to Victoria's Great South Coast.

To learn about the vibrant town and region please visit: http://www.warrnambool.com/

How to apply

Submit your application by selecting the Apply button below and include a cover letter and resume by Sunday, 25 October 2026. Please ensure you address the selection criteria as outlined in the position description.

If you would like any further information or to discuss the role, please contact Natalie Jeremias - Social Work and Counselling Manager on njeremias@swh.net.au or 03 5563 4358.

Employment Terms and Conditions will be in line with the Allied Health Professionals (Victorian Public Sector) (Single Interest Employers) Enterprise Agreement 2021-2026 with the classification Social Worker Grade 1.

The successful applicant will be required to be eligible for and undergo the following:

• Police Record Check
• Employee Working with Children's Check
• Current Immunisation status

Note: If you experience any difficulties with this website, please email: humanresources@swh.net.au