Case Worker – Darwin (Identified)

NAAFLS - Northern Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Services; Darwin; Hybrid; AUD 92,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Time off in lieu

Travel allowance

Annual training allowance

Paid parental leave

Study leave

Defence leave

Job summary

NAAFLS - Northern Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Services in Darwin invites a Case Worker to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients with culturally safe, non-legal assistance. Reporting to the Case Work Team Leader, the role involves travel to remote Top End communities, coordinating referrals, attending court and meetings, and offering practical and emotional support.

Focus is on trauma-informed, strength-based practice, strong communication, and collaborative service

Qualifications

• Possess relevant experience in case work or a related field.
• Ability and willingness to undertake professional development and training.
• Demonstrated experience delivering services within Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Proven ability to communicate sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
• Capacity to provide culturally appropriate services tailored to client needs.
• Willingness to travel regularly to remote Top End communities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement culturally appropriate case plans with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients.
• Provide holistic, non-legal support with referrals, applications, appointments and transport to courts or services.
• Support clients during sensitive meetings such as child protection, court appearances and related appointments.
• Motivate and support clients to engage in mandated or voluntary case plans and activities.
• Build and maintain respectful relationships with clients and stakeholders in remote communities.
• Contribute to Community Legal Education topics during community trips.
• Participate in pre-trip planning with solicitors and coordinate remote service delivery.
• Ensure accurate recordkeeping using electronic file management and data systems.

Education

Relevant certificate or higher level of studies in Social Work, Community Services or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

• Job location: Darwin
• Remuneration: Salary $92,279.20 - $99,294.00 per annum (dependent on experience).
• Salary Packaging: As a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI) NAAFLS can offer up to $15,899 per annum of the salary, Tax-free as a fringe benefit (conditions apply).
• Hours of work: Monday to Friday - 8.15am to 4.21pm with 30mins lunch break
• Employment Type: Full-time ongoing position (subject to funding)
• Superannuation: 12%
• Leave Entitlement: 6 weeks per annum plus 17.5% annual leave loading
• Reports To: Case Work Team Leader
• Probationary Period: 6 months
• Personal/Carer's Leave: 15 days per annum
• Mandatory Employment Requirements: Obtain a working with children clearance (WWCC), Obtain a clear Criminal History Check, Possess a current 'C' Class NT Drivers Licence
• Conditions of Employment: Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry Award 2010, National Employment Standards, Fair Work Act
• Special Measures: This position is identified for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person and is intended to constitute a special measure under section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), and section 57 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1996 (NT)
• Additional Benefits: Time off in Lieu of Overtime, Travel Allowance, Annual individual training allowance, Paid parental leave applicable to Primary or Secondary Carer (6 weeks paid after 12 months service), Study Leave, Defence Leave

About NAAFLS

NAAFLS is an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) and independent Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (FVPLS).

We have offices in Darwin (Larrakia land), Katherine (Jawoyn, Dagoman and Wardaman land) and Nhulunbuy (Yolŋu land), and service over 40 remote communities within the Top End region spanning from the Tiwi Islands down to Lajamanu, Wadeye across to Borroloola. Regular travel to these communities is predominantly in line with the Darwin and Katherine Court Circuit calendars and requires our teams to stay overnight on community for up to two trips of 2-4 days per month.

We provide culturally sensitive legal advice, assistance, representation, and support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Top End communities who have experienced domestic, family, and sexual violence.

We offer the unique opportunity to work collaboratively within a team comprising a solicitor and case worker/client support officer, to ensure that our service is culturally safe and holistic. This holistic and culturally appropriate model of service sets us apart; seeking practical community-based solutions to the most complex legal problems and ensures our vulnerable clients are fully supported throughout their journey.

Role Overview

The Case Worker supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients of the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service (NAAFLS) by providing culturally safe, non-legal assistance. Reporting to the Case Work Team Leader, the role works closely with solicitors and service providers to help clients achieve their goals, implement case plans, and navigate legal and social systems. The role involves regular travel to remote Top End communities to coordinate referrals, attend court and meetings, assist with appointments, and offer practical and emotional support.

With a focus on NAAFLS’ values of cultural respect, collaboration and trust, this role requires strong communication skills, cultural knowledge, and the ability to work within a trauma-informed, strength-based framework. Case Workers are encouraged to draw on their cultural knowledge and lived experience, where appropriate, to enhance outcomes for clients. The role also supports accurate recordkeeping, contributes to community legal education, and promotes collaborative service delivery.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Client Support and Case Management

• Work collaboratively with NAAFLS solicitors to develop and implement culturally appropriate case plans with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients, supporting clients to set and achieve their goals and identifying relevant evidence for legal matters.
• Provide holistic, non-legal support to clients, including referrals to other services, assistance with applications, scheduling and attending appointments, and transporting clients to court or other services as required.
• Support clients during challenging or sensitive meetings, such as child protection meetings, court appearances, and other case-related appointments.
• Motivate and support clients to actively engage in mandated or voluntary case plans and activities.

2. Community Engagement and Outreach

• Build and maintain respectful relationships with clients and key stakeholders in remote Top End communities to support culturally safe service delivery.
• Contribute to the development of meaningful Community Legal Education (CLE) topics during community trips, in collaboration with the CLE Officer.
• Participate in pre-trip planning meetings with solicitors and contribute to a coordinated, team-based approach to remote service delivery.

3. Recordkeeping and Administration

• Ensure accurate and timely recordkeeping using NAAFLS’ electronic file management and data systems.
• Participate in file reviews and ensure all client information is maintained to required standards.
• Comply with all relevant NAAFLS policies and procedures.

4. Practice Quality and Development

• Contribute to the ongoing improvement of case work processes and procedures to support consistency and quality of service.
• Promote and maintain safe work practices in line with NAAFLS’ Work Health and Safety (WHS) policies and procedures.
• Foster a positive and culturally respectful workplace culture aligned with NAAFLS’ values and Strategic Plan.

5. Teamwork and Professional Development

• Attend staff meetings, participate in regular supervision, and engage in professional development and training.
• Undertake other duties as reasonably required.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Possess relevant experience in case work or a related field.
• Ability and willingness to undertake professional development and training.
• Demonstrated experience in delivering services within a case management framework, specifically in an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community services setting.
• Proven ability to communicate sensitively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, demonstrating solid relationship-building and advocacy skills.
• Capacity to provide culturally appropriate services that are tailored to meet individual client needs.
• Willingness to use cultural knowledge and expertise to improve service delivery for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to work flexibly and possess the ability to manage competing demands.
• Demonstrated ability to complete tasks in a timely manner.
• Ability to accurately record information in client databases and use Microsoft Office suite.
• Availability to undertake regular overnight travel to remote communities.
• Must obtain a Working with Children Clearance (WWCC) and a satisfactory Criminal History Check.
• Possess a current ‘C’ Class NT Drivers Licence.
• The ability and willingness to undertake certificate or higher level of studies if required.
• Relevant certificate or higher level of studies in Social Work, Community Services or related field.

While NAAFLS is an equal opportunity employer, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply.

Our Values

In all our operations and relationships, we value:

• Collaboration – We combine individual skills and experience to be stronger together.
• Cultural Respect – We embrace cultural difference to build respectful working relationships.
• Trust – We are individually and collectively trusted and trustworthy.
• Courage – We engage in the hard conversations with compassion.
• Client-Centred Practice – We place the safety, dignity and needs of our clients at the centre of everything we do.

NAAFLS acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands and waters throughout the Northern Territory. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge the strength, resilience and leadership of Aboriginal communities.