CPP3 Child Protection Practitioner

Beginning Child Protection Practitioners

Working in child protection                                                                                                                          

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. 

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. 

More information on the benefits in working with child protection can be found on our webpage Department of Families Fairness and Housing Victoria | Child protection 

Beginning Child Protection Practitioner (CPP3) – Intake Services

Entry level roles for child protection practitioners allows you to gain an excellent experience across the child and family services system. We have a number of fixed term opportunities available until June 2026.

Working in Intake Services, you will receive reports from members of the community regarding children that might be at risk. You will assess these reports and decide if further child protection investigation is required. You will also provide advice to the people who make these reports and, where appropriate, help families to access support services.

Key responsibilities for Intake Beginning Child Protection Practitioner (CPP3), include but are not limited to: 

• Undertaking initial risk assessment, including assessment and investigation of reports to child protection 
• Attend intake case conferences, where required
• Make follow-up phone calls with professionals to verify and gather information about reports
• Refer cases, where applicable, to community service organisations
• Seek advice and guidance from relevant Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs) to inform risk assessment.

Locations: Intake North West – Preston or Geelong and Intake South East - Box Hill or Dandenong.

For further information about these roles please visit the Child protection jobs - position descriptions | vic.gov.au. 

Commencement Salaries: 

CPP 3.1: $79,122 (Diploma qualification entry level)

CPP3.2: $82,514 (Degree qualification entry level) 

Assessment Stages and Key Dates: 

Eligible CPP3 applicants are required to participate in a one-way video interview.  If shortlisted for a CPP3, you will be required to undertake online psychometric and personality assessments by a set date. 

Anticipated Online Assessment Centres: Assessment centres are projected to take place between Tuesday 03 June - Wednesday 04 June 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 11 August 2025 and then attend a mandatory full time five-week Practice Induction Program (PIP) on Tuesday 19 August 2025.   PIP is designed to provide new staff to the child protection program with the necessary practice knowledge and skills relating to the role. Successful candidates will be required to attend the PIP in person in Melbourne, with accommodation, travel and meals included.  

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 refer to Child protection jobs - requirements and eligibility | vic.gov.au prior to submitting your application to ensure your application is complete.              

Please note: For this role, you are not required to address each of the key selection criteria in a separate written document. Applicants are strongly encouraged to review our Careers Page. This page provides information on the department's recruitment and pre-employment screening processes. 

Closing date: Thursday 22 May, midnight.