Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling (formerly VVCS) is Australia’s leading provider of high-quality mental health assessment and clinical counselling services for Australian veterans and their families. We are focused on meeting client needs through a combination of proven clinical practices and current and emerging evidence-based approaches.

You will be supported through the provision of ongoing learning and development opportunities and funded clinical supervision.

Operates within multidisciplinary teams providing mental health and wellbeing support to anyone who has served at least one day of continuous fulltime service in the ADF and their immediate families.

Clinicians (APS 6) work within the Open Arms Division of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) providing counselling services to current and formerly serving Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel, their partners, and families. They apply extensive knowledge and experience gained from a relevant background in psychology, social work, counselling, occupational therapy, or nursing to build rapport with clients, understand their unique experiences and work with them to identify goals that will enhance mental health and wellbeing.

Reporting to the Assistant Director (EL 1) Clinicians are required to attend regular case reviews and operational supervision to discuss client progress and complex cases with the Assistant Director and other Clinicians. They are required to make decisions, problem solve and navigate complex client issues, whilst adhering to relevant legislation, ethical guidelines, and policies. Critical thinking, communication and interpersonal skills are paramount, and Clinicians must demonstrate high levels of integrity and emotional intelligence. Bringing knowledge of veterans’ and their families’ experiences to the role, Clinicians will demonstrate respect for all clients and uphold a strong commitment to confidentiality and privacy.

The key duties of the position include:

- Provide high quality clinical services including risk assessment and intervention, referral, evidence-based individual, couple and family counselling, and case management to eligible Open Arms clients in order to achieve outcomes identified in care planning.
- Conduct reviews with clients on counselling progress to determine further approaches and establish additional needs, including extensions to episodes of care.
- Using the Client Management System, maintain confidential files for each client that include session progress notes, care plans, risk assessment, and additional client interactions.
- Schedule and attend Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities, including clinical supervision,



to maintain professional registration.
- Adhere to relevant legislation, ethical guidelines and policies pertaining to best-practice client care.
- Liaise and attend regular meetings with the Assistant Director and other Clinicians to review client cases, including those that may require extensions to episodes of care.
- Liaise with clients’ family members and additional treatment providers and/or other Open Arms/DVA stakeholders to coordinate care.
- Apply the principles of cooperative and safe working practices consistent with APS Values and the Department’s mission, vision, approach and values.
- Engage in other clinical tasks as directed by the Assistant Director based on organisational need. These may include:
- Co-facilitate treatment and psychoeducation programs on a range of topics alongside other Open Arms staff or external clinicians.
- Participate in community development and service promotion activities.
- Participate in Open Arms program evaluation and research activities, contributing to project management activities that implement strategic directions and quality improvement recommendations, and provide feedback for ongoing development of clinical policies and procedures.
- Facilitate the delivery of Open Arms counselling and other programs to veterans and families by applying quality assurance principles and procedures to ensure the clinical practice, and reporting of Outreach Program Clinicians (OPCs) meet contractual requirements.
- Collaboratively manage the regional allocation queue through liaison and consultation with Open Arms Clinicians, OPCs and administrative staff.
- Conduct regional intake assessments to inform allocation to appropriate services.

Eligibility

- Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).
- Any successful candidate external to DVA offered employment will be required to undergo a pre-engagement screening check, even if they have a security clearance. The screening check is conducted in accordance with the Australian Government Protective Security Policy Framework requirements.
- Any successful candidate will also be required to obtain and/or maintain, a baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance as a minimum.

Mandatory Requirements





- Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Vulnerable People registration OR
- Currently hold or ability to obtain a Working with Children check

In addition to the above, one of the following:

- Qualifications as a registered Psychologist / Occupational Therapist / Registered Nurse with full AHPRA registration, OR
- Social Worker with membership of the Australian Association Social Workers (AASW) on commencement, OR
- A Masters-level counselling qualification and registration with PACFA as a Registered Clinical Counsellor or with ACA at Level 3 or Level 4.

Notes

This recruitment process is being used to fill ongoing and/or non-ongoing position/s. For more information about the role, please see the Candidate Information Pack.

A merit pool of suitable applicants may be created which may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies should they become available over the next 18 months.

Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

DVA embraces and fosters a culture that supports diversity, inclusion and respect, where people are empowered to fulfil their potential. We welcome people with diverse skills, experiences, perspectives and backgrounds. We are dedicated and committed to attracting and recruiting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and encourage applications from people with disability, people that identify as LGBTQIA+ and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Take on a rewarding, varied, and broad career with an Australian Public Service Department that can bring balance and flexibility to your working life, while supporting you to stay connected to your community.

DVA is committed to improving the data skills and capability of our workforce to underpin our goal of becoming a leading data-driven organisation.

Getting to know the Department of Veterans' Affairs

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) exists to fulfil the nation’s duty to support our serving and ex-serving Australian Defence Force members and their families. We do this through programs of care, compensation, commemoration, income and Defence support services. Our aim is to enhance self-sufficiency, quality of life, financial wellbeing and community recognition for those we support. DVA is both a policy and service delivery agency. We have strong relationships with Australian ex-service organisations, Federal and State Government agencies and the veteran community. DVA’s vision is to honour veterans, and empower them and their families to continue life after service, within a society that understands and values their military service and their ongoing contribution to the community.

📌 Clinician (Darwin)
🏢 Australian Department of Veterans' Affairs
📍 Darwin