Child Protection Practitioner, Gippsland

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC; Sale; On-site; AUD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

CPWP wellbeing program

CPHP wellbeing program

Annual clothing allowance

Generous leave provisions

Regional retention allowance

Flexible work arrangements

New Starter Support & Training program

Job summary

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC – Sale VIC is seeking a CPP3 level Child Protection Practitioner to manage escalating case complexity and protect at‑risk children and families. You will join a regional Gippsland team and participate in induction programs while benefiting from flexible work arrangements.

New starters receive wellbeing supports, a comprehensive leave entitlement, a regional retention allowance and an annual clothing allowance to support your role and professional

Qualifications

• A strong sense of social justice with understanding that families are complex.
• Confidence in building relationships with children, young people and families.
• Understanding legislative, policy and practice requirements relating to children and communities, including Aboriginal Child Placement Principles.
• Social work, welfare or psychology related qualification and/or relevant experience.
• Valid driver's licence and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Undertake risk assessment, including assessment and investigation of reports to child protection.
• Plan, implement and review case plans and related tasks to address risks.
• Coordinate and negotiate services for children and young people.
• Provide or arrange practical and emotional support to children, young people and families.
• Where necessary, take matters to the Children's Court and supervise orders.

Skills

Relationship building

Social justice awareness

Communication

Adaptability

Education

Social work / welfare / psychology qualification or relevant experience

Job description

Department of Families, Fairness & Housing VIC – Sale VIC

You're Needed in Gippsland - Child Protection Practioner (CPP3) roles

You'll be part of a team where you'll have opportunities to learn, grow and make a positive difference.

Beginning Child Protection (CPP3) is the entry level for child protection practitioners where, you will be responsible of managing a variety of cases and issues increasing in complexity with your experience, while changing the immediate future of at-risk children and their families.

• Commencement Salary of $81,496 - $98,955 per annum (plus superannuation)
• Access to free Child protection wellbeing program (CPWP) and child protection health program (CPHP) designed to support the wellbeing of child protection staff
• Generous leave provisions, 20 days of annual leave, 15 days of personal/carers leave, an extra 5 days of additional leave after 12 months of service
• Child Protection Practice Induction Program delivered over 5 weeks, to equip new starts with the necessary practice knowledge and skills
• Regional benefits, retention allowance of $2,500 for child protection practitioners that live in certain regional locations. Find out more here Regional Benefits
• Flexibility work arrangements, flexible start and finish times, condensed working arrangements, part-time options and more
• An annual clothing allowance of $650

New starters in Outer Gippsland Area

We've created a program to support you in your new role. The New Starter Employee Support and Training program runs for 12 months. It offers tailored support to help you build your skills and confidence in the role.

You’ll learn:

• how we work
• what the local priorities are, and how your work will contribute to these priorities
• about the local child protection service system. This includes learning who the key funded agencies are, and what services they offer.

You will continue to receive ongoing support in the role to help you succeed.

Career opportunities

You will be able to access the same career opportunities in regional locations as if you were in metropolitan locations. You will have full access to the range of wellbeing and development programs.

Relocating to Gippsland

The department may offer relocation support to help with your move. This will allow you to focus on settling in and getting started in your new role.

You will be able to access Child Protection Retention Allowance. This is available once you are working and living in Gippsland. Visit the regional benefits web page for more information.

Key responsibilities

• Undertaking risk assessment, including assessment and investigation of reports to child protection
• Planning,implementingand reviewing case plans and case work tasks to address identified risks
• Coordinating and negotiating services for children and young people
• Providing or arranging practical and emotional support to children, youngpeopleand families
• Where necessary, taking matters to the Children's Court to ensure the safety of children or young people and supervising orders made by the Children's Court.

Who we are looking for?

• A strong sense of social justice and understanding that families are complex
• Confidence in building relationships with children, young people and their families
• Demonstrate an understanding of the legislative, policy and practice requirements relating to children, families and communities, including Aboriginal Child Placement Principles
• A social work, welfare, psychology relatedqualificationand/or relevant experience
• The transportation of children is a requirement of this role, as such a valid driver's licence and willingness to travel is essential

• If you have full registration or membership with a Social Work Board or Association within or outside Australia, please attach a copy.

Our recruitment process

Shortlisted candidatesare required toundertake psychometric assessments followed by attending a virtual online assessment centre on Wednesday 04 November 2026.

Relevant pre-employment screening and reference checks will berequired.Successful candidatesare required toattend a 5weekmandatorypractice induction program

Applications close at 11:59pm onSunday 11 October 2026.

Please ensure you have uploaded Mandatory Application Documents (Your application will not be progressed without these documents)

• Resume
• Proof of your working rights for Australia (passport and/or a copy of a valid visa)
• Official academic transcript or USI statement

If you require any adjustments to fullyparticipatein the recruitment process or need the advert or attachments in an accessible format, please contact us.

If your application has been rejected recently, you can re-apply after 6 months.