Introduction

ACON is Australia’s largest health promotion organisation specialising in community health, inclusion, and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders. Established in 1985, ACON works to create opportunities for people in our communities to live their healthiest lives.

We are grounded in the belief that diversity is our strength, our differentiator, and at the core of who we are and what we do. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we encourage applications from people living with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTQ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, migrant and refugee backgrounds, and LGBTQ people of colour.

Description

- We're seeking an experienced clinical leader to lead and continuously improve ACON's Counselling Services, ensuring the delivery of safe, inclusive, trauma-informed and evidence-based therapeutic support for LGBTQ+ communities and people living with or affected by HIV.
- This is an opportunity to shape service quality, workforce capability and clinical governance while supporting a team of counsellors working with complex and intersecting client needs.
- Full-time position based in our Gadigal (Surry Hills) office, with flexible working arrangements available

What’s Counselling Services you say?

You'll be part of ACON's Peer and Client Services team, which provides specialist support to LGBTQ+ people and people living with or affected by HIV. The service supports clients experiencing a range of complex issues including mental health concerns, suicidal ideation, alcohol and other drug use, sexual, domestic and family violence, ageing, gender affirmation and HIV-related matters. The team is committed to delivering evidence-based, trauma-informed care that improves wellbeing and strengthens connection to community and support.

Ok, so what’s the role?

The Team Leader – Counselling Services provides leadership, coordination and clinical oversight of ACON's counselling program, while maintaining a small caseload of clients with complex therapeutic needs. You will

- Lead and support a team of counsellors and volunteer counsellors through supervision, mentoring, consultation and workforce development.
- Provide specialist guidance on complex presentations, risk assessment, suicide prevention, crisis response and professional practice standards.
- Drive service quality, clinical governance, evaluation and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure high-quality client outcomes.
- Coordinate client allocation, case review and care planning processes to support timely and effective service delivery.
- Build and maintain solid partnerships with health, mental health, HIV,



alcohol and other drug, and community service providers to support integrated care.

Who are we looking for?

- An experienced counselling professional with qualifications in Social Work, Psychology or Counselling and membership of a relevant professional body.
- A confident people leader with demonstrated experience providing clinical supervision, practice leadership and service management within counselling or related health settings.
- Someone with experience supporting people experiencing complex mental health concerns, suicidality, alcohol and other drug use, sexual, domestic and family violence, disability or HIV-related issues.
- A collaborative and reflective practitioner who is committed to inclusive, evidence-informed and person-centred practice.
- Someone with a strong understanding of, and commitment to, LGBTQ+ communities and people living with and affected by HIV.

What else can we tell you?​​​

- Salary: 3.75% above SCHADS Award hourly rate, competitive remuneration commensurate with experience.
- Location: ACON’s Gadigal (Surry Hills) office, with flexible working options a possibility (away from the office).
- Hours: Full-Time up to a 2-year fixed term contract with the possibility of extension.
- Not-For-Profit Salary Packaging: Currently up to $35,000 gross up value, enabling you to keep more of your salary, and pay less tax ($15,900 Expenses + $2,650 Meals, tax free).
- Flexibility and Wellbeing: Working from home arrangements available from the first day, free comprehensive counselling services through our Employee Assistance Program and dedicated quiet spaces across office locations.
- Generous Leave Entitlements: Including an additional 5 days at the end of the year for our shutdown period, additional Personal/Carer’s Leave days above NES.
- Community Leave Entitlements: First Nations Cultural and Ceremonial Leave, Gender Affirmation Leave, Paid Parental Leave (both caregivers 14 weeks), Public Holiday Swap … and more!
- Career Growth: Tailored learning and development planning, annual learning allowance and education scholarships to encourage continuous learning, and paid education leave.
- Flare Benefits: Enjoy exclusive employee perks, including discounts from leading retailers, wellbeing providers and financial institutions





How can I find out more details and apply?

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join our team and help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. By joining us, you will be part of a mission to create a healthier and more inclusive community.

We’d love someone who has experience already in this area but people at all levels of experience are absolutely welcome to apply. We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from CALD backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of all genders to apply.

For more information on the role, please contact Renata Field, at [email protected]

If you are ready to apply, please apply via the 'Apply' function at the end of this page.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Skills And Experiences

Essential

1. Professional qualifications in Social Work, Psychology, or Counselling and full membership of a professional association (e.g. AHPRA, PACFA, AASW, ACA).
2. Minimum of five years of Counselling experience in the fields of HIV/sexual health or mental health or suicide prevention or sexual, domestic and family violence (SDFV) or disability.
3. Demonstrated experience leading a Counselling team, including clinical supervision, consultation, client allocation, waitlist management, workforce capability development, performance management and service quality oversight.
4. Demonstrated experience undertaking comprehensive biopsychosocial and risk assessments and delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions for people experiencing complex presentations, including mental health concerns, suicidality, alcohol and other drug use, HIV-related issues and sexual, domestic and family violence.
5. Demonstrated ability to identify opportunities for service improvement and contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of clinical, practice and quality improvement initiatives.
6. Demonstrated understanding, knowledge and commitment to working with people of diverse sexualities and/or genders, and people living with and affected by HIV.
7. Demonstrated experience providing clinical leadership, consultation and guidance in relation to complex presentations, risk management, therapeutic practice, professional standards and legal obligations.
8. Advanced level written, oral communication skills including case note documentation, outcome measure implementation, negotiation and conflict resolution management. Strong skills in using Microsoft Office Applications.

Desirable:

1. Experience developing therapeutic group models and governance.
2. Clinical supervision qualification and experience.
3. Current driver’s license.

📌 Team Leader - Counselling Services (Sydney)
🏢 ACON
📍 Sydney