Child Protection Practitioner

Beginning Child Protection Practitioners

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. 

Multiple opportunities in Child Protection

• Metro: Frankston, Ringwood, Preston, Dandenong, Footscray, Sunshine
• Regional: Warrnambool, Portland, Hamilton, Horsham, Swan Hill, Bendigo, Bairnsdale, Sale, Warragul, Morwell, Ballarat, Shepparton, Seymour, Wangaratta, Wodonga

You will be required to select your office location preference when applying.

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: 

Entry level roles for child protection practitioners allows you to gain an excellent experience across the child and family services system. You will manage a variety of cases and issues increasing in complexity with your experience, while changing the immediate future of at-risk children and their families. 

Key responsibilities for Beginning Child Protection Practitioner, include but are not limited to: 

• Undertaking risk assessment, including assessment and investigation of reports to child protection 
• Planning, implementing and reviewing case plans and case work tasks to address identified risks 
• Coordinating and negotiating services for children and young people 
• Providing or arranging practical and emotional support to children, young people and families 
• Where necessary, taking matters to the Children's Court to ensure the safety of children or young people and supervising orders made by the Children's Court.

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

Subject to meeting eligibility criteria, you will be invited to attend a virtual assessment centre where you will complete two assessments being a written case study and a group activity. 

• Anticipated online Assessment Centres: Week commencing 08 December 2025.  (final dates will be advised to progressing candidates)
• Commencement Dates: All new child protection employees to the department are required to complete one week of mandatory online training modules from 05 January 2026 / 16 February 2026. 
• Following this, it is mandatory to attend the full-time five-week Practice Induction Program (PIP) commencing on Tuesday 13 January 2026 / 24 February 2026.   

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, 

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. 

Mandatory Application Documents (Your application will not be progressed without these documents)

• Resume
• Cover Letter (1 page only)
• Proof of your working rights for Australia (Copy of Visa (if on a VISA), a coloured passport copy)
• Qualifications certificates:
• Academic Transcript/s (Tertiary qualifications / Awards / USI / transcript )
• Valid Driver Licence - (Must have full driving Privileges -  thus No Learners Permits) 

Applications close 09 Nov 2025