At ACU we pride ourselves on offering a welcoming environment for everyone. At the same time, we are a university committed to standing for something clear. We stand up for people in need and causes that matter. Our Mission is at the heart of the University, and informs all our actions – integrating the dignity of the human person, the common good, and ethical and social justice considerations into student learning and teaching, research and service.

• Provide culturally informed psycho-social counselling services, information and resources to students from diverse social and cultural backgrounds
• Support students to fully realise their personal and academic goals
• Full time, continuing position based at the Canberra campus (Will consider as a part time arrangement for the preferred candidate)

About ACU:

Australian Catholic University (ACU) is an inclusive community which welcomes students and staff of all beliefs. ACU has over 2,500 staff supporting more than 34,000 students across eight campuses: Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, North Sydney, Strathfield, Blacktown and Rome.

As valued members of our community, all staff members are expected to have an understanding of ACU's mission and values and to demonstrate an active contribution to them.

About The Student Support Services Directorate:

The Student Support Services Directorate provides students with support services to promote student engagement in university life; to provide opportunities for the development of student leadership; and to provide opportunities for students to develop graduate attributes making them career ready professionals. Student Support Services is responsible for supporting student associations including the ACU National Student Association (ACUNSA), the Postgraduate Association (PGA), and clubs and societies.

It is also responsible for the delivery of university-wide initiatives that comply with regulatory and statutory requirements, such as Respect. Now. Always. (RNA) and Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults. The Director, Student Support Services manages and leads the professional support services for students which are delivered across the University. These services aim to provide every student with opportunities to assist them with achieving their academic and personal goals. Student support is available through the following service areas: Careers and Employability; Counselling Service; Disability Service; Student Life; and Student Advocacy Service.

About Counselling:

Counselling is a Service within the Student Support Services and is an integrated unit composed of professional staff who provide a free and confidential service to support students during their time at ACU. Counsellors are either Psychologists or Social Workers who work in an inclusive way.

They assist students via one-to-one counselling, psychoeducational groups and the provision of relevant resources and referral. The Student Success Directorate (SSD) provides students with support services to promote student engagement in university life, opportunities for student leadership development and opportunities for students to develop graduate attributes making them career-ready professionals.

About the role:

As a Counsellor you are either Psychologist or Social Worker who will work in an inclusive way to assist students via one-to-one counselling, psychoeducational groups and the provision of relevant resources and referral. Counsellors provide quality professional counselling services to students who require psycho-social support to fully realise their personal and academic goals; and contribute to the overall mission and learning context of the University by raising awareness of and responding to the concerns of students.

More specifically the role entails:

• Providing counselling support services to students from diverse social and cultural background related to transitional issues, mental health concerns, emotional wellbeing, enhancing personal growth and resilience.
• Developing and delivering psychoeducational workshops to raise awareness and promote positive mental health in line with ACU's Mental Health Strategy.
• Liaising with and/or advocating for students with appropriate staff regarding student needs.
• Providing assessment and referral where appropriate to other agencies and professionals.
• Liaising and/or advocating with appropriate staff regarding student needs.
• Contributing to the achievement of the Counselling Operational Plan.

You will need to have:

• Full registration with AHPRA as a psychologist or current full membership with Australian Association of Social Workers. Please supply a copy of your AASW membership with your application.
• Knowledge and understanding of relevant legislative, ethical and practice requirements e.g. confidentiality, privacy, anti-discrimination, mandatory reporting.
• Demonstrated experience and effectiveness in counselling young adults from diverse social and cultural backgrounds with a broad range of presenting issues and applying ethical practice principles. Demonstrated commitment to cultural diversity, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Demonstrated experience in the assessment and management of complex cognitive and emotional, mental health, and developmental issues, including case planning and review.
• Knowledge and understanding of the broader service system and demonstrated capacity to facilitate appropriate and effective referrals as needed.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, deliver and evaluate psycho-educational workshops, presentations and group work
• Proven ability to work autonomously, and effectively as a member of a team, with high levels of accountability. Capacity to balance group work programs with the provision of individual counselling services.
• Capacity to balance group work programs with the provision of individual counselling services.

This position requires a Working with Children Check (WWCC) and/or Working with Vulnerable People Check (WWVP) (ACT only).

The University pursues an excellence agenda and offers an environment where staff are welcomed and safe, and valued through development, participation and involvement.

How to Apply:

Obtain the Position Description from the website. Applicants are expected to address all selection criteria listed in the position description and outline how they would support the mission of the university. To apply for this role click the 'View Position Description and Apply' buttons above or below. Visit Hints and Tips on how to apply.

Total remuneration valued to $119,665 - $133,785 total rem (pro rata) pa, including salary component $101,118 - $113,050 (pro rata) pa (HEW 8), employer contribution to superannuation and annual leave loading.

General enquiries can be sent to Ravi Lulla, National Manager, Counselling at: [email protected] using the subject line: Counsellor enquiry via EthicalJobs. 

Candidates must hold Australian work rights to apply for this position. For permanent / continuing roles, applicants must have permanent work rights.

Equal Opportunity and Privacy of personal information is University policy. For more details visit: www.acu.edu.au/careers

Find out more information on the benefits of working at ACU at: www.acu.edu.au/about-acu/careers-at-acu/why-work-at-acu

ACU is committed to diversity and social inclusion in its employment practices. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities and people from culturally diverse groups are encouraged.

A position description is attached.