MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person’s cultural or linguistic background, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, intersex status, relationship status, religion or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, age, and abilities.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

This is a Permanent Full-time opportunity (Part-Time opportunity may be available) based in Brewarrina, NSW within our Aboriginal Families as Teachers / MacKillop Rural Program.

Our offer:

• Generous Salary Packaging up to $18,500 (helps increase your take home pay)
• Ongoing Training and Development
• Study Leave for ongoing employees
• Career Development
• Click HERE to find out more about becoming a member of the MacKillop Family Services team and what further support we have to offer our employees.

Position Purpose:

This Birralii Nurturer is situated within the MacKillop Rural unit which provides:

• Family support and supported playgroups
• Parenting and early childhood education
• Counselling and support to young people who are vulnerable and at risk of homelessness
• Early childhood intervention to people with a disability

The Birralii Nurturer will work alongside Aboriginal families to create solid learning experiences and a rich home learning environment for their children 0-5 years. This includes fostering strong cultural identities for our kids and creating positive experiences with culture.

The worker will build relationships with community and partner with Early Childhood Education providers, families, local health and support services to meet program objectives.

The Birralii Nurturer is a member of AFAT – Aboriginal Families as Teachers team based in Lightning Ridge or Brewarrina and reports to the Program Manager.

Primary Objectives:

Through working directly with families and collaborating with early childhood education services, the Aboriginal Families as First Teachers program has been developed to encourage life-long learners. The Aboriginal Families as Teachers has six core objectives:

• Support Aboriginal families to provide developmentally rich home learning environments for young children birth to five years
• Promote literacy and numeracy rich home learning environments, including the use of language
• Build families’ confidence in their ability to support the healthy development and learning of their children
• Promote the importance of early childhood education within families and communities, including participation in a quality early childhood education program for 600 hours in the year before school (at a minimum)
• Support Aboriginal children’s developmental outcomes across all five domains (physical, social, emotional, cognitive and language) and participation in a quality early childhood education program in the years before school
• Support Aboriginal children and their families for successful transitions to school

Key Selection Criteria:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Willingness to study towards or have a Certificate III or above in early childhood, Aboriginal health, community services or other relevant field.
• An appreciation for Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current local challenges faced by Aboriginal communities.
• Ability to strengthen the cultural identity and learning outcomes of Aboriginal children and their families.
• Ability to build solid working relationships with community people, organisations, families, team and work colleagues.
• Willingness to learn and grow.
• Ability to use computers.
• A knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal culture and values and an awareness of the current issues faced by Aboriginal children, young people and their families

For a full listing please view Position Description.

You must have a:

• Proof of vaccination against Covid-19
• Valid and current Driver’s Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check;
• Valid Working with Children Check;
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check

The Australian Government recently introduced the NDIS Worker Screening Check, an additional, national legislated compliance requirement to determine if a person is cleared to work with people with disability. MacKillop requires all client facing staff obtain the NDIS Worker Screening Check. An employment application will require the submission of evidence that this check has been attained or an application has been submitted. For more information and how to apply please view:

New South Wales: Office of the Children’s Guardian

How to Apply:

Click 'Apply Now' where you will be prompted to proceed with your application via the Ethical Jobs website.

Please make sure you address the selection criteria as outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For more information, please contact:

Emma Swift at [email protected] using the subject line: Birralii Nurturer - Brewarrina enquiry via EthicalJobs or on 0497 484 673.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.