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 looking for an experienced and compassionate Care Coordinator / Counsellor to join ACON's Clinical Services team and provide critical support to LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV experiencing complex and intersecting challenges.
- This isn't just another counselling role. It's an chance to help improve access to mental health, health, housing and community services while supporting people through periods of vulnerability and significant life challenges.
- This is a full-time position (70 hours per fortnight) based in our Gadigal (Surry Hills) office.

What’s Care Coordination Team you say?

You'll be part of ACON's Care Coordination and Counselling team, which provides trauma-informed, culturally responsive and client-led short-term interventions for LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV.

The team supports people experiencing mental health concerns, suicidal crisis or ideation, housing insecurity, disability, substance use issues, gender affirmation needs and other complex psychosocial challenges. Through counselling, care coordination, advocacy, safety planning and referrals, we work to reduce barriers, challenge stigma and strengthen pathways to health and wellbeing.

Ok, so what’s the role?

The Care Coordinator / Counsellor delivers short-term counselling, care coordination, referrals and advocacy services to LGBTQ+ communities and people living with HIV using evidence-based and trauma-informed approaches. You will:

- Deliver counselling, care coordination, advocacy and referral services to clients experiencing complex psychosocial challenges.
- Undertake comprehensive psychosocial and risk assessments, develop support plans and provide therapeutic and crisis interventions that achieve positive client outcomes.
- Coordinate services and referrals with health, housing, community and government agencies to support client access to the right services at the right time.




- Provide crisis intervention, risk assessment and safety planning for clients experiencing mental health concerns and suicidal distress.
- Maintain accurate client records, outcome measures and service data while contributing to service quality improvement initiatives.
- Participate in supervision, reflective practice, team meetings and career development activities to maintain best-practice service delivery.

Who are we looking for?

- Someone with qualifications in social work, counselling, psychology or a related discipline, and eligibility for accreditation with a relevant professional body.
- Someone with at least three years' experience delivering counselling, care coordination or case management services to people with complex psychosocial needs.
- Someone with demonstrated experience undertaking psychosocial and risk assessments, crisis intervention, safety planning, advocacy and care coordination.
- Someone with a strong understanding of trauma-informed, strengths-based and healing-centred practice frameworks.
- Someone with knowledge of health, mental health, housing and community service systems and experience supporting people to navigate services such as Centrelink, NDIS, housing services, gender-affirming care and other support systems.
- Someone committed to working with LGBTQ+ communities, people living with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, culturally diverse communities and people with disabilities.
- Someone who exercises sound professional judgement and thrives in both autonomous and collaborative working environments.

What else can we tell you?​​​

- Salary: Starting from $100,884.53 (Gross Annual Salary PLUS Superannuation and Leave Loading).
- Location: ACON’s Gadigal (Surry Hills).
- Hours: Full-Time (70 hours per fortnight) on an ongoing contract.
- 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 and help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ people and people living with HIV.

By joining ACON, you'll be part of Australia's largest LGBTQ+ health organisation, working to create healthier lives and more inclusive communities.

We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of all genders and sexualities.

For more information on the role, please contact Milo Brayovic, Team Leader Clinical Services, on [email protected]

If you are ready to apply, please click Apply and submit your application via ELMO.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Skills And Experiences

Essential

1. Understanding of the systemic and social issues facing LGBTQ+SB Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples including brotherboys and sistergirls, culturally and linguistically diverse or marginalised communities, and people living with disabilities and people living with HIV.

2. Demonstrated knowledge and experience supporting clients to access and navigate the social services sector including MyHousing, Centrelink, Victims of Crime, NDIS, gender-affirming care and other community-based organisations and mental health services.

3. Demonstrated experience collaborating with clients on psychosocial assessments, goal setting and care planning, advocacy, building referral pathways, risk assessment, and use of evidence-based Client Outcome Measurement tools.

4. Demonstrated experience of working within a trauma-informed, strengths based and healing framework.

5. Strong understanding of and commitment to working with ACON’s communities, including people of diverse sexualities, trans and gender diverse people, and people living with and affected by HIV.

📌 Care Coordinator / Counsellor - Sydney
🏢 ACON
📍 Sydney