Are you experienced in working with children and their families? Would you like to be paid while you further your passion for making a positive difference for Victorian children and families? If yes, this program is for you.

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing is now accepting applications for the Switch to Child Protection program where experienced career switchers will be paid to get the skills and experience they need for a child protection career.

You will be employed as an Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (CPP4), getting a full-time salary while developing advanced child and family knowledge and practice skills through a Graduate Certificate in Child Protection (Graduate Certificate) at La Trobe University.

Child protection work is interesting, challenging, busy and fulfilling and involves therapeutic and analytical skills. You will be working in collaboration with families, Community Sector Organisations and professionals to develop and implement effective plans for children.

Graduate Certificate classes are held online with five face-to-face days at La Trobe University's Bundoora campus. Classes run from Monday 13 July 2026 to Friday 9 October 2026 and final assessments are due by Sunday 25 October 2026.

You will get paid as a full-time Advanced Child Protection Practitioner, with generous study leave while classes are running, and full-time hours before and after the class period. You can lodge preferences for workplace locations for Melbourne and regional/rural Victoria. 

This is a 12 month program where upon the successful completion you may be offered further employment.

You will also benefit from access to further ongoing learning, development and career opportunities, tailored wellbeing and support programs, flexible work arrangements and generous leave provisions including an additional 5 days of annual leave and substitute leave for public holidays.

Switch to Child Protection

If you are successful in applying for the program, you will:

• get full-time pay from the start of the program as an Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (CPP4) level.
• study a Graduate Certificate in Child Protection from La Trobe University, which was designed with sector involvement to build on your existing skills and grow the theoretical knowledge and practical skills you will need to work in the children and families sector (including Child Protection).
• pay a discounted fee of $9,596.30 for the Graduate Certificate in Child Protection, with the option to defer this cost via FEE-HELP (subject to eligibility).
• receive further training and on-the-job learning
• have regular supervision, mentoring and ongoing professional development
• receive a retention incentive payment of $9,596 after successful completion of the Graduate Certificate and 12 months of child protection service.

Incentives

In addition to the salary, child protection jobs attract further financial incentives:

• four annual wage increases of 3% over the life of the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024.
• salary sacrificing options including vehicle novated leases and private health insurance
• annual clothing allowance paid on 1 July of $650 (pro rata for part-time employees)
• A retention payment of $2,500 paid on 1 July 2026, 1 January 2027 and 1 July 2027 to eligible CPP4 employees who are substantively employed and reside in one of the designated regional locations; find out more on our regional benefits webpage.

Flexible work arrangements

During the first 12 months, you will need to commit to full-time employment, at your allocated workplace location. During the Graduate Certificate in Child Protection class period, you will attend your workplace for 2 full days a week with the remaining 3 days being for class attendance and study leave.

After 12 months, you can negotiate flexible working arrangements with your workplace.

The Victorian Government supports work-life balance and offers the following flexible work arrangements which are available subject to business needs:

• flexible start and finish times
• condensed working arrangements
• part time options (after 12 months of service)
• generous leave provisions

Wellbeing

Specialised wellbeing programs for child protection practitioners. We offer a dedicated, free and confidential wellbeing and support program designed to support the mental health and wellbeing of child protection practitioners. Refer to our supporting our workforce webpage.

How to Apply and Next Steps

Qualifications

To apply for the Switch to Child Protection program, you will need professional experience with children and families, and meet the following mandatory requirements:

• Successfully completed:
• a Diploma of Community Services (or equivalent) AND
• a minimum of three years full-time professional experience in a related community services field such as youth work, child protection, or family violence
• OR
• an Australian bachelor's degree in social welfare or related field (or equivalent)
• Do not currently work in child protection in Victoria
• Have Australian permanent residency or Australian citizenship
• Are able to participate in the program full time for 12 months from 29 June 2026
• Pass a national police check, or international police check as required
• A valid driver's license is required
• A current Employee Working with Children Check (WWCC) card is required

Please visit our website for more information and to read out Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

To submit your application please click on the Apply for this Job button at the bottom of the page.

Subject to meeting eligibility criteria, you may be invited to attend a virtual assessment centre which will be scheduled between 7 April to 24 April 2026. Please note, the confirmed dates for the virtual assessment centre will be dependent on application numbers and may be subject to change.

For further information please refer to the attached position descriptions or contact Child Protection Jobs (DFFH) via email at childprotectionjobs@dffh.vic.gov.au

Applications close on Monday 23 March 2026 at 11.59pm