Make the decision to pursue a fulfilling professional career and make a difference in vulnerable children's lives. If you are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of children, then a career in child protection is for you. 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.  

• Locations:  Portland, Hamilton & Horsham
• Salary: CPP4: $97,955 - $111,142 

Child protection work is rewarding, fulfilling, challenging and demanding. We're looking for professionals who are confident and resilient, with a strong sense of social justice. You must be empathetic and open to change when working collaboratively with families and other professionals. While there is a need for the understanding of therapy-based skills and referrals to these services, a great deal of case work involves statutory investigation, analysis and critical thinking.

What is involved? 

You will bring your suitable experience to strengthen your strong sense of social justice and understanding that families are complex, with their own unique histories. You will work with more complex cases and situations and operate with an increased level of autonomy appropriate for the role. 

• Key responsibilities for Advanced Child Protection Practitioner (CPP4), include but are not limited to:
• Conducting risk assessments and investigations
• Managing complex cases, problem solving and presenting matters to the Children's Court of Victoria as required
• Being responsible for supporting and developing Beginning Child Protection Practitioners in the integration of theory and practice while demonstrating your expertise through case practice
• Determining case plans (including stability plans, cultural plans and therapeutic treatment plans) for the safety and wellbeing of children, and
• Delivering case practice and case management services for children and young people who are either living with family or placed in out of home care.

You can read more about child protection on our website. 

Benefits of a career in Child Protection 

As a Victorian government employee, you will have access to a broad range of benefits and entitlements. These include access to professional development opportunities through training programs, peer support networks and access to a dedicated and free wellbeing and a support program specifically designed to support our child protection employee's mental health and wellbeing. Learn about the benefits and entitlements of being a child protection practitioner.               

Regional Bonus Benefit: Under the Victorian Public Service Enterprise Agreement 2024, eligible child protection practitioners may also be eligible to receive the retention allowance. Click here to find out more

Assessment Stages and Key Dates

If shortlisted for a CPP4 role, you will be required to undertake online psychometric and personality assessments by a set date. 

• Anticipated online Assessment Centers: Advanced (CPP4): Week commencing Monday 28 July 2025.  Dates will be advised to progressing candidates once confirmed
• Commencement Dates: All new child protection employees to the department are required to complete one week of mandatory online training modules from Monday 22 September 2025. 
• Following this, it is mandatory to attend the full-time five-week Practice Induction Program (PIP) commencing on Tuesday 30 September 2025.   PIP is designed to provide new staff to the child protection program with the necessary practice of knowledge and skills relating to the role. 

Successful candidates will be required to attend the PIP training in person in Melbourne. Travel/accommodation arrangements may be included for regional candidates. 

Note: preferred candidates will be required to undergo pre-employment screening including national police check, international police check (if required), misconduct screening, qualification checks and two professional reference checks.   

How to Apply: Please read about requirements and eligibility prior to applying. Working in child protection requires mandatory minimum qualifications.