This position

- Based in Cairns, Queensland (occasional travel may be required)
- Generous salary packaging
- Great opportunity to be part of the new Cairns Youth Residential Rehabilitation Service
- Operated by the Youth Advocacy & Support Service (YSAS) in collaboration with YETI, Gindaja & Queensland Health
- Remuneration SCHADS level 4 dependent on qualifications and experience

About us Youth Support + Advocacy Service (YSAS) is one of Australia’s largest and most comprehensive, youth specific community service organisation that enables young people experiencing serious disadvantage to access the resources and support they require to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

YSAS is a Child Safe organisation. We actively promote the safety and wellbeing of young people, and are committed to protecting young people from harm or abuse who come into contact with and/or access our service.

About the position The purpose of the Residential Youth AOD Worker is to work as part of a multidisciplinary team assisting vulnerable young people in need of support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a Residential Youth AOD Worker you will be required to work a 24-hour roster which includes day, evening and night shifts at our Cairns Residential Rehabilitation Unit. The role requires application of clinical skills in the assessment and support (including medication management) of young people undergoing rehabilitation from substance use as well as a focus on primary health care.

Key Selection Criteria

1. Service Delivery

2. Administration/documentation

3. Stakeholder engagement/relationships

4. Teamwork and continuous improvement

5. Compliance and professional conduct

6. Workplace safety and wellbeing

What our young people request from our workers: Young people across YSAS have spoken out and given feedback about the qualities that best describe a good YSAS worker:





“A good worker takes the time to understand your interests and doesn’t treat everyone the same.” “Young people believe that a good YSAS worker is empathetic and good at actively listening in a non-judgmental way, is relatable, down-to-earth and able to build trust and rapport in a consistent manner”. “It takes time to trust someone, but it’s worth it when you know they’ve got your back”. Young people have also raised that genuine human connection is an important quality, “being authentically human”, while having a holistic, versatile, and adaptable approach that considers the entire context of a young person’s life and their intersectionalities. “It’s about making sure workers don’t just tick boxes but genuinely want to see us thrive”

Regardless of where they are based or what position a worker has, everything we do at YSAS is about young people and their families.

For full details of the position, please view the POSITION DESCRIPTION below

Why work with us?

- YSAS has a true commitment to flexible working, ensuring that individual, team and client needs are met
- YSAS offers additional leave entitlements such as gender affirmation, ceremonial leave for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, fertility leave, blood donors leave, a generous Parental Leave Scheme and the ability to purchase additional leave.
- Access to learning and development opportunities
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Please Note:

1. As part of our Employment screening process you will be required to undertake a National Criminal History check and have a current Working with Children Check.
2. You must have Australian work rights to apply for this position.

Further Enquiries For a confidential discussion about the position, please contact Natarsha Pye, Residential Manager on (phone hidden) regarding Shift Senior Residential position, Recruitment Ref. Number – 081_2026.

- YSAS is an equal opportunity employer, and we welcome applications from all sectors of the community.
- YSAS has a zero tolerance for child abuse and is committed to the provision of a child-safe organisation.

📌 Residential Youth Worker (Cairns)
🏢 YSAS
📍 Cairns