Child Life Therapist - New Graduate

NSW Health; Sydney; On-site; AUD 79,000 - 113,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work opportunities

Salary packaging

Meal entertainment benefits

Accrued days off

Fitness passport

Employee assistance program

Job summary

NSW Health's Children's Hospital at Westmead is seeking a New Graduate Child Life Therapist to join our Child Life Therapy team. This entry-level, full-time role offers a learning journey from education into healthcare, with 38 hours per week at Westmead.

The 24-month role includes a training package with clinical experience. Applicants should have graduated from a Bachelor of Education/Teaching within the last four years and show interest in evidence-based Child Life practices.

Qualifications

• A bachelor of Education / Teaching (or a degree with a minimum of 2 years proven studies in Child Development plus education content).
• Experience working with children 0-18yrs - especially 0-8years.
• Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills, with proven success in multidisciplinary team settings.

Responsibilities

• Provide family centred clinical services to inpatients and/or outpatients referred to Child Life Therapy.
• Utilise specialist knowledge to plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate therapeutic and medical play.
• Deliver procedural education & support to reduce anxiety and maintain developmental milestones.

Skills

Demonstrated high level communication

Interpersonal skills

Experience with children 0-18

Education

Bachelor of Education / Teaching or equivalent with 2 years in Child Development

Job description

Employment Type:TemporaryFull Time until 12 October 2028
Position Classification:Play Therapist Lvl 1/2
Remuneration:79419 - 113301 full-time equivalent base salary range (+12% super + 17.5% leave loading and salary packaging)
Hours Per Week:38
Requisition ID:REQ692817
Location: Westmead
Applications Close: Midnight on 27 September 2026
For role related queries or questions contact Sarah Scott on ************@health.nsw.gov.au

As the largest paediatric health service in Australia, we care for thousands of children each year, in hospital and at home. Our people are united by compassion, collaboration and excellence in care.

The Child Life Therapy team at The Children's Hospital at Westmead is seeking a passionate and dedicated New Graduate Child Life Therapist to join our team. This role offers a unique opportunity to embark on a learning journey from education into the healthcare context.

Our New Graduate role is full time 38 hrs per week for 24-months that includes a Child Life Therapy training package alongside face-to face clinical experience. We are specifically looking for applicants who have graduated from a Bachelor of Education/Teaching program within the last FOUR years and who demonstrate a keen interest in developing their understanding of evidence-based practices in the Child Life Therapy field.

This is an entry level position, commencing at Level 1, Year 2 according to the NSW HEALTH SERVICE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS (STATE)
AWARD 2025

What you'll be doing

The Child Life Therapist will provide family centred clinical services to inpatients and/or outpatients referred to Child Life Therapy. The Child Life Therapist will utilise specialist knowledge to plan, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate therapeutic and medical play, procedural education &support, to reduce anxiety through teaching coping strategies and distraction, and to maintain and extend developmental milestones where possible.

Additional Benefits (where applicable):

Flexible work opportunities, Salary packaging and meal entertainment benefits, accrued days off (ADOs), fitness passport, employee assistance program (EAP)

• A bachelor of Education / Teaching (or a degree with a minimum of 2 years proven studies in Child Development plus education content)
• Experience working with children 0-18yrs - especially 0-8years
• Demonstrated high level communication and interpersonal skills, with proven success in multidisciplinary team settings.

Child Safe Standards:

SCHN is committed to maintaining a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, in line with NSW Health’s commitment to 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 young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

Additional Information:

SCHN is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values diversity, recognising that a diverse workforce strengthens our culture and enhances the care we provide to children, young people and their families.

Permanent NSW Health roles require Australian citizenship or permanent residency. Temporary visa holders may be considered where no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident is identified.

Where required, overseas qualifications must be formally assessed by the Department of Education or relevant authority for recognition in Australia.

An Eligibility List may be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.