Triage Counsellor (social worker or psychologist or counsellor)

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia – Brisbane QLD

Jurisdiction:Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia

Section:Court Children’s Service

Classification: Australian Public Service Level 6 (APS 6)

Job Type:Non-ongoing, Full-time

Locations:Brisbane Registry

Salary: Total package: $115,092 to $128,903 per annum including 15.4% superannuation (Base salary of $99,734 to $111,701 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation)

What is a Triage Counsellor?

Triage Counsellors are qualified social science professionals, who have clinical experience working with children and families, including in child protection, family support, family and domestic violence.

Triage Counsellors assist parties in family law matters by conducting confidential risk assessment to assist in identification of appropriate support services, safety planning and case management. This help is targeted towards families who are at high risk as a result of family violence, mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, and child abuse and neglect.

Triage Counsellors have a statutory appointment to the role of ‘family counsellor’ (Section 281(1) of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021), to provide family counselling as defined under Section 10 of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA).

Jurisdiction:Federal Circuit Court and Family Court of Australia

Section:Court Children’s Service

Classification: Australian Public Service Level 6 (APS 6)

Job Type:Non-ongoing, Full time

Locations:Brisbane Registry

Salary: Total package: $115,092 to $128,903 per annum including 15.4% superannuation (Base salary of $99,734 to $111,701 per annum plus 15.4% superannuation)

What is a Triage Counsellor?

Triage Counsellors are qualified social science professionals, who have clinical experience working with children and families, including in child protection, family support, family and domestic violence.

Triage Counsellors assist parties in family law matters by conducting confidential risk assessment to assist in identification of appropriate support services, safety planning and case management. This help is targeted towards families who are at high risk as a result of family violence, mental health, drug and alcohol misuse, and child abuse and neglect.

Triage Counsellors have a statutory appointment to the role of ‘family counsellor’ (Section 281(1) of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021), to provide family counselling as defined under Section 10 of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) (FLA).

The key duties of the position include:

What does a Triage Counsellor do?

Triage Counsellors undertake a range of activities within the provisions of the FLA including:

- Reviewing responses to the Court’s Risk Screening Tool (Family DOORS Triage)
- Conducting reviews of filed material to further inform risk screening and risk assessment




- Conducting video interviews with identified parties, in order to further formulate risk assessment and analysis, including identifying protective and supportive factors
- Co-designing and developing safety and well-being plans with individuals, and where appropriate and necessary, undertaking direct referrals to identified agencies and services

Eligibility

Why become a Triage Counsellor?

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA) and be part of a number of world leading initiatives designed to ensure safe and effective outcomes for children and families.

The role of Triage Counsellor offers the rewarding opportunity to be part of Lighthouse, which is an innovative approach taken by the FCFCOA to screen for risk, with a primary focus on improving outcomes for families.

New Triage Counsellors are provided with a supportive and structured induction program. All Triage Counsellors are provided with ongoing professional development, access to an extensive literature library and regular professional supervision.

Other great reasons to become a Triage Counsellor

In addition to rewarding work and competitive remuneration, the Triage Counsellor position offers the following benefits:

- A 15.4% employer superannuation contribution rate
- Salary packaging options
- Paid leave days between Christmas and New year, and three days after new year, in addition to the standard annual leave entitlement (4wks for full time).
- Up to eighteen weeks of paid parental leave
- Access to Cultural and First Nations ceremonial and NAIDOC leave
- Access to study leave and other study assistance
- Flexible work arrangements, including opportunities for hybrid office/ home-based and part-time work
- Great working facilities
- Safe and secure working environment on court premises
- Access to a raft of project and higher duties opportunities
- Training by Australian and international experts
- Strong team cultures and regular team building activities

Mandatory qualifications and experience

- A recognised degree in a relevant social science area (e.g. social work, psychology, counselling, human services)
- A minimum three (3) years relevant clinical experience working with children and families, such as in child protection, family support, family and domestic violence
- A clearance for working with children as required within the relevant State/Territory scheme
- Want to learn more?

Notes

Eligibility





Employment with the Court is subject to the conditions prescribed in the Public Service Act 1999, and the following:

- Australian citizenship – the successful applicant must hold Australian citizenship.
- Security and character clearance – the successful applicant must satisfy a Police Records Check and may also be required to complete security clearances during the course of their employment.
- Successful applicants engaged into the APS will be subject to a probation period.

Interested candidates who have received a redundancy benefit from an APS agency are welcome to apply but note that they cannot be engaged until their redundancy benefit period has expired.

Diversity and Inclusion

Federal Court Australia is committed to supporting an inclusive and diverse workforce and welcomes and encourages applications from People with Disability.

First Nations peoples, LGBTIQA+ people, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds, mature age workers, as well as young workers and supporting an inter-generational workforce and supporting gender equity and families.

Federal Court Australia will provide reasonable adjustments for candidates to participate equitably in the recruitment process and discuss workplace adjustments to fulfil the inherent requirements of the role.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in recruitment

Candidates may use AI tools to assist with their participation in this recruitment process unless otherwise advised. Where AI tools are used, candidates are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted is transparent, accurate, and genuinely reflects their own skills, capabilities, and experience.

For more information, see: Principles for candidate use of AI in Recruitment

Getting to know the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021 (FCFCOA Act), which came into effect on 1 September 2021, merged the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia into a unified court system known as the FCFCOA.The FCFCOA (Division 1) is a superior court that handles the most complex family law cases and serves as the appellate court for family law matters. It operates nationwide, except in Western Australia.The FCFCOA (Division 2), a federal court, shares jurisdiction over family law and child support with Division 1, but also handles general federal law matters, such as administrative law, bankruptcy, intellectual property, and migration law.The Federal Court of Australia entity engages employees under the Public Service Act 1999 to support the Federal Court, the FCFCOA (Divisions 1 and 2), and the National Native Title Tribunal. Established by the 2016 Courts Administration Legislation Amendment Act, each court retains its own identity and judicial independence. FCFCOA employees are covered by the Federal Court Enterprise Agreement 2024–2027.

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📌 Triage Counsellor (social worker or psychologist or counsellor) (Queensland)
🏢 Federal Circuit And Family Court Of Australia
📍 Queensland