Clinicians (APS 6) work within the Clinical Operations Branch of Open Arms – Veterans and Families Counselling 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.

Providing evidence-based assessment, formulation and treatment for a range of psychological conditions, and keep confidential care plans and clinical notes to reflect counselling progress. 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 robust commitment to confidentiality.

- 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.
- They may also provide co-facilitation for group programs alongside fellow Open Arms staff or external clinicians.
- 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.

- Under section 22(8) of the Public Service Act 1999, employees must be Australian citizens to be employed in the Australian Public Service (APS).




- All applicants external to DVA offered employment will be required to successfully 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.
- The successful candidate will be required obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting (AGSVA) security clearance.

Mandatory Requirements

- Qualifications as a registered Psychologist / Occupational Therapist / Mental Health Registered Nurse with full AHPRA registration, OR
- Qualification as a Social Worker eligible for membership of the Australian Association Social Workers (AASW) and eligible to apply for Mental Health accreditation OR
- Qualifications as a Counsellor with a minimum Level 4 Australian Counselling Association registration.

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.

📌 Clinician (Sydney)
🏢 Department of Veterans' Affairs
📍 Sydney