Lead with expertise as our Senior Social Worker, championing recovery-focused care, family inclusion and clinical excellence across mental health and substance use services

Remuneration: $131,585 - $134,775 Per Annum + 12% Super + Salary Packaging

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until May 2027

Position Classification: Social Worker Lvl 4

Hours Per Week: 38

Location: Mater Mental Health Centre Waratah

Requisition ID: REQ697553

Applications Close: Monday 26th October 2026

About The Role

Step into a rewarding opportunity as a Senior Social Worker, where your advanced clinical expertise, leadership capabilities and passion for person-centred care will make a meaningful difference for adults experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges, alongside their families and carers. In this dynamic specialist role, you will provide expert clinical consultation, assessment, education and leadership, while championing service excellence and continuous quality improvement. Your responsibilities will include conducting in-reach assessments across Mental Health Centre inpatient units, delivering therapeutic programs and providing clinical guidance to strengthen outcomes for consumers and their support networks. Beyond your direct clinical practice, you will have the opportunity to influence broader district-wide initiatives, contribute to education and quality improvement projects, and help shape the delivery of integrated, evidence-based care. This is an exciting opportunity to expand your specialist knowledge, strengthen your leadership skills and make a lasting impact within a collaborative multidisciplinary environment. You will be supported by the Service Manager, Staff Specialist and experienced senior clinicians,



with a comprehensive orientation to our model of care, access to individual and group supervision, and opportunities for ongoing professional development to help you thrive in this specialist leadership role.

Where You’ll Be Working

MHSUS delivers specialised, comprehensive care for adults experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. Through a combination of thorough assessments, centre-based programs, clinical consultation and coordinated care, our service is committed to supporting consumers on their journey towards recovery and improved wellbeing. Grounded in evidence-based practice, our approach integrates tailored treatment strategies, stages of change and motivational interviewing to empower consumers to make meaningful, lasting progress. Our team provides holistic, community-based support through group facilitation, psychoeducation, relapse prevention, ongoing clinical reviews and collaboration with external support services, ensuring care is responsive to each consumer’s individual needs and recovery goals.

What We Can Offer You

At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day.

- Supportive and collaborative team environment




- Ongoing professional development opportunities across the administrative network
- Career progression opportunities within NSW Health
- Annual leave and paid parental leave for eligible employees
- Salary packaging options to increase take-home pay
- Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support wellbeing

Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS via [email protected] or 1300 40 25 23.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

Essential Requirements

- Must hold as a minimum a bachelor degree in social work which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer.

Additional Information

- An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.
- Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-secure environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and youn

📌 Social Worker Level 4 (Newcastle)
🏢 Hunter New England Local Health District
📍 Newcastle