- Posted on: 30 September 2026
- SCHADS Award Level: Classification Level 5
- Job location: Katherine
- Remuneration: Salary $105,577.68 per annum, pro rata
- Salary Packaging: As a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI), NAAFLS can offer up to $15,899 per annum of the salary tax-free as a fringe benefit (conditions apply)
- Hours of work: Monday to Friday 8:15am to 4:21pm
- Employment Type: Full-time, fixed term 12 months (subject to funding)
- Superannuation: 12%
- Leave Entitlement: 6 weeks per annum plus 17.5% annual leave loading
- Reports To: AFLDM Coordinator
- Probationary Period: 6 months
- Personal/Carer's Leave: 15 days per annum
- Equipment Supplied: Laptop, Mobile phone, Uniforms
- Additional Benefits: Time off in Lieu of Overtime, Travel Allowance, Individual training budget, Monthly Wellbeing leave (FT)
- Mandatory Employment Requirements: Obtain a working with children clearance (WWCC), obtain a clear Criminal History Check, possess a current 'C' Class NT driver licence
- Conditions of Employment: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010, National Employment Standards, Fair Work Act
- Special Measures: This position is identified for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and section 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT)

ABOUT NAAFLS

NAAFLS is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) and independent Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (FVPLS).

We are the only victim-based Aboriginal legal service in remote communities in the Top End region of the NT.

We have offices in Darwin (Larrakia land), Katherine (Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman land) and Nhulunbuy (Yolŋu land), and service over 40 remote communities within the Top End region spanning from the Tiwi Islands down to Lajamanu, Wadeye across to Borroloola. We provide culturally sensitive legal advice, assistance, representation, and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Top End communities who have experienced domestic, family, and sexual violence.

We offer a holistic and culturally appropriate model of service which sets us apart; seeking practical community-based solutions to the most complex legal problems.

Our primary practice areas are family law, child protection, and domestic violence; though we frequently intervene in coronial inquiries, parliamentary inquiries, and other administrative proceedings as required.

ROLE OVERVIEW

NAAFLS’s Aboriginal Family Lead Decision Making (AFLDM) Program is a specialist program aimed at supporting Aboriginal families involved with, or at risk of involvement with, the Northern Territory Department of Children and Families (DCF). The program provides culturally appropriate,



strength-based early intervention and prevention support to Aboriginal families to address DCF concerns and supports families to identify suitable alternative care options for their children if they are unable to meet the needs of the department. The AFLDM Program works with the whole family to support them to understand and respond to the child protection concerns held by DCF and facilitates family-led decision-making processes so that families can make informed decisions that are in the best interests of their children.

The AFLDM Co-Convenor works in partnership with a Legal Practitioner and, where possible, a gender-paired Co-Convenor, to support families and facilitate culturally safe family-led decision-making processes. The role supports Aboriginal families to engage with the child protection system, understand their rights and responsibilities, develop family-led safety plans, and make decisions that promote the safety, wellbeing and connection of children to their family, community, culture and Country.

The AFLDM Co-Convenor plays a key role in maintaining constructive relationships with DCF and other stakeholders to ensure families’ voices are heard, cultural considerations are understood, and outcomes support the best interests of Aboriginal children and families. The position reports to the AFLDM Coordinator.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Family Support and Decision Making

- Work alongside the AFLDM Coordinator, Legal Practitioner and other AFLDM team members to deliver a culturally appropriate, strength-based family-led decision-making model.
- Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families involved with, or at risk of involvement with, DCF to understand child protection concerns, participate in decision-making processes, and develop family-led safety plans that promote the wellbeing of children.
- Facilitate culturally safe family-led decision-making discussions and planning processes, using sound judgement to support families to identify appropriate solutions that promote children’s connection to family, community, culture and Country.
- Develop respectful and meaningful relationships with Aboriginal people, families and communities, and provide cultural guidance throughout their engagement with the program.

2. Stakeholder Engagement and Advocacy

- Build and maintain collaborative working relationships with DCF caseworkers, team leaders and other government and community stakeholders.
- Attend case conferences, family group conferencing meetings and other relevant forums as required.
- Advocate for culturally appropriate, family-led outcomes while maintaining constructive and solutions-focused engagement with child protection stakeholders.




- Work effectively with a range of services and agencies to support positive outcomes for families and children.

3. Program Administration and Continuous Improvement

- Maintain accurate client files, case notes and data records in accordance with NAAFLS policies and confidentiality requirements.
- Complete timely data entry and contribute to reporting, monitoring and evaluation activities, working closely with the AFLDM Evaluation Officer.
- Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of AFLDM processes, procedures and service delivery.
- Maintain knowledge of developments in child protection, family violence and related legislation affecting Aboriginal children and families.

4. Team and Organisational Responsibilities

- Build a positive workplace culture aligned with NAAFLS values and Strategic Plan.
- Participate in staff meetings, training and professional development activities as required.
- Undertake remote community travel, including overnight travel, when required.
- Adhere to NAAFLS policies and procedures, maintain safe work practices, and undertake other duties as reasonably directed.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

- Demonstrated experience delivering client-centred, strength-based and trauma-informed support services.

- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across diverse cultural contexts.

- Strong relationship-building, negotiation, advocacy and problem-solving skills.

- Demonstrated understanding of the NT child protection system and the issues faced by Aboriginal children, families and communities.

- Demonstrated understanding of the impact of domestic, family and sexual violence on Aboriginal families and the crossover with child protection.

- Demonstrated ability to maintain accurate client records and high standards of file management, including confidentiality requirements.

- Strong written and verbal communication skills.

- Experience using data management and reporting systems.

- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain team-oriented, solutions-focused relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including child protection and statutory service providers.

- A comprehensive understanding of confidentiality, mandatory reporting obligations and issues relating to family violence.

- Must obtain a Working with Children Clearance (WWCC) and a clear Criminal History Check.

Desirable

- Tertiary qualification in Social Work, Community Services, Behavioural Sciences or a related field.

- Experience in mediation, facilitation and/or family dispute resolution.

- Experience in project development, implementation, monitoring or evaluation.

- Experience working within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).

- Experience working in a partnership or co-facilitation model, including alongside legal practitioners or co-convenors.

While NAAFLS is an equal opportunity employer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.

📌 AFLDM Co-Convenor (Katherine)
🏢 North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal service
📍 Katherine