Employment type: This a part time 0.4 FTE, fixed term until 17th Dec 2027
Are you passionate about supporting children and young people to achieve their potential?
An exciting opportunity exists for a highly motivated Occupational Therapist to join the Student Support Services (SSS) team based in the Central Highlands Area.
As an Occupational Therapist in Student Support Services, you will help students participate fully in learning by supporting their functional, sensory, motor and self-regulation needs within educational environments.
This is an chance to work proactively with schools to create inclusive learning environments and support students to achieve meaningful educational outcomes.
Why Student Support Services?
SSS is made up of a broad range of allied health professions including psychologists, speech pathologists, social workers, occupational therapists and behavioural analysts.
We work in multi-disciplinary teams across Victoria, partnering with schools to improve student access, participation, engagement and achievement.
About the role
This 0.4 FTE, fixed term position is located in the Student Support Services (SSS) Branch, Central Highlands Area, South Western Victoria Region. The fixed term contract will go until 17th Dec 2027. The Student Support Services Branch operates from the Ballarat office and includes schools from Trentham to Ararat and Waubra to Willaura, Linton, Bannockburn to Bacchus Marsh.
In your role, you will help children and young people achieve their educational goals and overcome barriers. You will contribute to this by:
- Providing support and advice to schools, including regarding complex cases and time sensitive decisions.
- Supporting schools to respond effectively to critical incidents.
- Supporting schools to develop reasonable adjustments for students over time as part of ongoing student support planning.
- Building the capability of teachers through professional learning.
Why Allied Health Professionals Choose Education
- Make a lasting difference to children's learning, wellbeing and future success.
- Work in a preventative and early intervention model.
- Competitive salary, with salary packaging options
- Enjoy flexible and supportive employment conditions.
- Build capability in schools and create sustainable impact beyond individual interventions.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across Victoria.
- Access professional learning, statewide networks and career development opportunities.
- Dedicated Employee Assistance Program
- Access to fleet cars (subject to availability)
- Access to an extensive assessment and therapy resource library
The work you do every day can help students participate, engage and thrive in education. If you're looking for a rewarding career where your expertise contributes to meaningful and lasting change, we'd love to hear from you.
Key selection criteria
We want to hear from you, if you have:
- Suitable experience in the initiation, development and implementation to programs, procedures and policies that foster resilience in children and young people and address their physical, social and emotional needs to support their educational needs
- Capacity to provide leadership within a multidisciplinary team delivering a range of wellbeing support services to school students
- Highly developed capacity to assess, conceptualise and analyse more complex student wellbeing issues that translate to improving student support services
- Highly developed communication, networking and interpersonal skills to liaise effectively with a wide range of people in the education community and beyond
- Demonstrated commitment to the Victorian Public Sector Values
- Demonstrated commitment to the Victorian Public Sector Values as detailed in Organisational Values section above
Qualifications
- A graduate or post-graduate qualification in occupational therapy.
Other requirements
- Registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).
- A valid Working with Children Check.
- A current Australian Drivers' Licence.
How to apply:
Please submit your resume and cover letter, responding to the Key Selection Criteria outlined in the attached position description.
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and subject to other pre-employment checks. Any information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Further Information
For more details regarding this position please see attached position description for the capabilities to address in application.
The department values diversity and inclusion in all forms - gender, religion, ethnicity, LGBTIQ+, disability and neurodiversity. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. For more information about our work, working for the Department, diversity and inclusion, and our employment conditions visit the Department website and our Diversity and Inclusion page
Applicants requiring adjustments can contact the nominated contact person.
Information about the Department of Education's operations and employment conditions can be located at www.education.vic.gov.au.
The Department of Education aims to provide every student in Victoria with equal access to high-quality public education. Our vision is to enhance student experiences and wellbeing and provide educators with the resources they need to guide young people.
We are committed to working with our staff and partners to deliver our vision for students and educators across Victoria.
For more information about working in education, visit the links below:
- Allied health careers in education
- Regional Careers (education.vic.gov.au)
- Department of Education's regional model
For further information pertaining to the role, please contact Beth Sutton Student Support Services Team Leader via Email
[email protected] or Phone (phone hidden).
Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and may be subject to other pre-employment checks. Information provided to the Department of Education will be treated in the strictest confidence.
Please let us know via phone or email if you require any adjustments to ensure your full participation in the recruitment process or if you need the ad or any attachments in an accessible format (e.g large print) due to any viewing difficulties or other accessibility requirements.
Applications close 11:59pm on Wednesday, 25 November 2026
📌 Occupational Therapist (Ballarat)
🏢 Department Of Education
📍 Ballarat