ABORIGINAL HEALTH LIAISON OFFICER

Portland-District-Health-; Portland; On-site; AUD 20,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary Packaging

Ongoing training and professional dev.

Social Club

Free parking

Portland Leisure & Aquatic CentreRates

Flexible working conditions

Employee Assistance program

Relocation assistance available

Job summary

Portland District Health invites applications for an Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer (AHLO) to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, families and communities in navigating healthcare, and to assist staff with culturally safe care. The role contributes to the PDH RAP and Aboriginal Employment Plan, with a focus on collaboration within the multidisciplinary team.

The successful candidate will bring strong community engagement, knowledge of local culture, and a commitment to

Qualifications

• Sound knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and kinship networks.
• Ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Responsibilities

• Support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, families, and communities to navigate healthcare systems.
• Assist staff to understand the needs of Aboriginal people and provide culturally safe care.
• Contribute to implementation of the PDH RAP and Aboriginal Employment Plan.

Skills

Aboriginal culture knowledge

Interpersonal communication

Cultural safety

Team collaboration

Community engagement

Job description

Ongoing Part Time – 8 hours per fortnight

Available from 29 th November 2026

An exciting and rewarding opportunity is available for a suitably qualified candidate to join the Clinical Services team at Portland District Health.

The Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer (AHLO) supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients, families, and communities to navigate healthcare systems and receive culturally safe care. In addition this role will support staff with understanding the needs of aboriginal people and providing culturally safe care. This role will be involved in implementation of the PDH Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and also support the application of the PDH Aboriginal Employment Plan.

About you:

• Sound knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, society and kinship networks and ability to support general staff in understanding this applying to practice also
• Sound understanding of the health needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and what is required to ‘Close the Gap’
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with and be accepted by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community
• Knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander plans and significant events
• Ability to work with and within the multi-disciplinary team to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Be a resource for Aboriginal and non Aboriginal staff
• Strive for a high standard of excellence with work processes and outcomes.
• Being receptive to feedback, willing to learn, embracing continuous improvement.
• Ability to adopt workplace wellness principles ensuring mental and physical self-care.

Portland District Health (PDH) provides an integrated health service for the community. The hospital was established in 1856 on the current site and now provides a comprehensive range of services that include:

• Hospital based Medical and Surgical services, Medical Imaging (Radiology), Pharmacy and Pathology
• A 24/7 Urgent Care Centre for emergency treatment
• Residential aged care for 30 residents at Harbourside Lodge
• An extensive range of primary and community services for the local community

PDH delivers services from a single campus, employs around 470 staff with an FTE of approximately 290, and has an active volunteer workforce. The People and Culture Unit sits within the Corporate Services Directorate, with other Units including Finance, Building Services, Food Services, Environmental Services, Executive Support, Administration and Health Information.

Additional Benefits:

• Salary Packaging
• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities
• Social Club
• Free parking
• Portland Leisure & Aquatic Centre corporate rates
• Flexible working conditions
• Employee Assistance program
• Relocation assistance available – conditions apply

The Region – Glenelg Shire:

Appreciate the beautiful surroundings of the Glenelg Shire, trek the Great South West Walk, Bridgewater Bay’s rugged coastline, or explore Budj Bim (a World Heritage site) and Mount Richmond National Park.

Affordable coastal, rural and low density urban housing, a choice or private and public primary and secondary school makes Portland an ideal place to work, live and raise a family. To find out more about Portland visit the Glenelg Shire and I Am Portland websites.

Applications close: Tuesday 27th October 2026 at 12.00pm

Portland District Health encourage and welcome applications from First Nation People, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and mature age people.

Portland District Health is a public hospital under the Health Services Act. Our role is to providequality, safe health services to people in the Glenelg Shire. To fulfil this role, Portland DistrictHealth offers a range of services, including; acute care through specialised medicine and surgery,urgent care, maternity services and limited children’s services. As an integrated Healthcareorganisation, Portland District Health provides a range of services in sub-acute and aged care,population health, primary and community care.