Safeguarding and Individual Advocacy Officer
We embrace diversity and strive to have a workforce that reflects the community we serve. We’re all about recruiting the best people, regardless of gender, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation or cultural background. If you think you can do the job and would be a good fit for our department, we’d love to hear from you.
The department is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and recognises that children’s rights need to be respected, their views welcomed and valued, and their concerns taken seriously and acted upon.
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
For more information on working with us and our recruitment process, please visit justice.vic.gov.au/careers
We’re proud of the important work we do across Victoria. Want to be part of it?
| |
| Department: | Department of Justice and Community Safety |
| Work Type: | Fixed term - full time |
| Job Function: | Community Services |
| Classification: | VPSG4 |
| Work Location: | Melbourne - CBD |
| Reference: | VG/DJCSDJ0545MAY2026 |
| Closing Date: | 19-May-2026 |
| Salary Range: | $100,894 - $114,476 |
| Job Duration: | 30 June 2027 |
| Attachments: | DJ0545- Safeguarding and Individual Advocacy Officer VPS4 April 2026 .pdf (PDF, 271KB) Position Description |
| Contact: | Rosemary Barker rosemary.barker@justice.vic.gov.au |
Position Details
- Utilise your advocacy expertise to provide support and advice to Office of the Public Advocate
-
Fixed, Full-Time opportunity to work with a high-performing and passionate team in the Victorian Public Service
-
VPS Grade VPS4: $100,894 - $114,476 plus superannuation.
About the Business Unit:
The Office of the Public Advocate (OPA) is an independent statutory office accountable to the Victorian Parliament which has been established to protect the rights and enhance the position of people with disabilities in Victoria. OPA is a human rights organisation that promotes the diversity and inclusion of all people. OPA's vision is of a just and inclusive society that values and respects people from all walks of life and ages. OPA promotes a workplace culture where disability, and diversity of gender identities, sexualities, faiths, ethnicities, and abilities are respected. OPA values a range of experience in its employees, including professional, volunteer and lived experience.
About the Role:
The Safeguarding and Individual Advocacy Officer reports to the Coordinator, Safeguarding and Individual Advocacy. The team also includes an Administrative Officer. The Safeguarding and Individual Advocacy Officer will assist in carrying out the Public Advocate's safeguarding functions in response to residential notices served on people with disability under the Disability Act 2006 or the Residential Tenancies Act 1977. This includes screening and triaging notifications received, providing individual advocacy, making referrals, and providing information and education to protect the rights of people with disability.
Some of your duties will include:
- Maintain records of residential notices provided to the Public Advocate under the Disability Act 2006 and the Residential Tenancies Act 1977
- Screen residential notifications under the Disability Ac 2006 and the Residential Tenancies Act 1977 to determine OPA's response
- In consultation with the Coordinator, Safeguarding and Individual Advocacy, provide individual advocacy on behalf of people with disability who have received a residential notice in a manner that promotes their human rights and dignity
To learn more about this role before applying, please read the attached position description.
About You:
As our ideal candidate, you will possess:
- Content knowledge has knowledge and understanding of: the life and experience of people with disability, in particular cognitive disability, the various settings in which people with disability may live or move between, the systems through which people with disability may receive services and support and the applicable regulatory models, positive behaviour support and other strategies to reduce risk, the use of restrictive practices and/or to promote the positive outcomes for people with disability.
- Sector knowledge and experience - applies specialist content knowledge to propose outcomes for individuals with disability that promote their rights. Can demonstrate excellent advocacy skills through experience.
- Written communication - able to write a range of documents which are clear, provide concise and relevant information, and meet the needs of the target audience.
How to Apply:
Please click the Apply button on this advertisement. Applications should include a resume and covering letter. Attachments can be uploaded in .doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt or .rtf formats.
The successful candidate will be required to undergo pre-employment checks which may include reference checks, national police checks and misconduct screening. Dependant on the role, other checks may include VicRoads checks, drivers licence checks, medical checks, Working with Children Checks, and Declaration of Private Interests (for executive and responsible officer roles).
If you require adjustments to the recruitment and selection process, or require an alternative format to any of the application material, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the contact person listed on this ad.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
CHILD SAFE STATEMENT OF COMMITMENT:
The Department of Justice and Community Safety is committed to the safety and wellbeing of children and young people. We seek to prevent harm of any kind impacting children and young people and have zero tolerance for racism, child abuse and inequality. Children and young people's rights, relationships, identity, and culture must be recognised and respected, their voices heard, and their concerns acted upon. We aim to foster a culturally safe, child safe and child friendly environment for all children and young people we have contact with, deliver services to, or are impacted by our work.
