Cultural Liaison - Karlup Service

Ruah; Perth; On-site; AUD 83,000 - 102,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

5 weeks annual leave + 17.5% loading

16 weeks paid parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Ruah is seeking a part-time Cultural Liaison for the Karlup Service in Perth, WA. The role supports women and children affected by FDV, delivering culturally safe services for Aboriginal and CaLD clients.

You will coordinate wraparound support, develop cultural plans, and liaise with partners to improve access to services. Demonstrated experience with Aboriginal/CaLD communities and strong communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Experience working with Aboriginal and CaLD communities.
• Ability to deliver culturally appropriate services.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to work independently and in team settings.

Responsibilities

• Walk with women and children in a culturally safe, strengths-based approach.
• Coordinate wraparound support with clients and networks.
• Embed Aboriginal ways of knowing in service delivery.
• Lead development and review of cultural support plans.
• Support access to external services and resources.

Skills

Cultural liaison

Strong communication

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Education

Degree in social work / community services / aboriginal culture

Job description

About Ruah

Ruah is a leading values-driven employer in Western Australia’s community services sector. Our staff go boldly, not just supporting people in need, but working to end homelessness, end domestic violence and create opportunities for people struggling with poverty and mental health challenges.

Our professional team of operational and corporate services staff is backed by one of WA’s biggest Peer support workforces. Our staff reflect our commitment to diversity and inclusion, where difference is valued, celebrated and embraced.

By choosing to work with us, you are helping transform the lives of vulnerable and disadvantaged people in our community.

About the Role

The Karlup Service is a holistic, wraparound healing and recovery service for women and children who have experienced Family and Domestic (FDV) Violence. The Cultural Liaison supports women and children who have experienced FDV by ensuring they are able to entirely benefit from the Karlup Service and its offerings and connect them with external services and supports to ensure they have the best possible chance of successfully re‑establishing independent lives that are free from violence.

The Cultural Liaison provides culturally grounded guidance and support to ensure the delivery of safe, respectful, and culturally appropriate services for CaLD & Aboriginal clients and families. The role works side by side with staff, modelling culturally responsive practice, strengthening cultural capability, and fostering meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and CaLD communities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Walk alongside women and children working in a culturally safe, respectful, and strengths‑based practice.
• Work closely with internally referred clients from Aboriginal and CaLD communities, and their support networks, to understand their needs and provide coordinated wraparound support.
• Embed Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing into everyday support and service delivery.
• Lead the development, implementation and review of cultural support plans where identified.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to identify areas of support needed, advocate for, and refer clients to suitable services, information and resources.
• Accompany clients and their case managers to their Community Connections Meetings and partners within the community.
• Contribute to MDT meetings and case management meetings relating to clients engaging with the Cultural Support offering within Karlup.
• Maintain client files and accurate, up to date and quality records.
• Monitor service delivery, identify issues and opportunities and contribute to continuous improvement of the Cultural Support offering.
• Ensure continuous communication with the Team Lead with updates of the services provided and any issues that need to be escalated.
• Prepare and actively participate in supervision with the Team Lead.
• Embed a person-centered approach, in all areas of work.
• Where appropriate, co‑facilitate groups for clients focused on healing and recovery.
• Identify cultural barriers, emerging issues and service gaps impacting Aboriginal and CaLD clients and provide recommendations to enhance service accessibility, engagement and client outcomes.
• Contribute knowledge in establishing procedures and work methods in delivering Cultural Support to Karlup clients.

This is a part-time (0.5 FTE), permanent position. Working hours are 8:30 am–4:30 pm. Workdays are negotiable based on the successful candidate’s preference and, once agreed, will become their set days each week.

What we’re looking for

The successful applicants will be required to meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal clients, families, and communities or CaLD clients, families and communities.
• Experience supporting culturally appropriate service delivery.
• Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
• Ability to work independently when required, as well as in a team, collaborating with other staff and stakeholders to share information and collectively build knowledge.

The following criteria are considered desirable:

• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of diversity and social inclusion- including gender, sexuality, disability, cultural, age, and linguistic diversity and Aboriginal culture.
• Certificate, Diploma or Degree in social work, community services, aboriginal cultural heritage or a related discipline and/or minimum of five (5) years’ experience in a similar role.
• Previous experience in working effectively with women who have experienced family and domestic violence and a sound understanding of the dynamics of family and domestic violence and the social and cultural context in which it occurs.

What do we offer?

• A salary aligned with Level 4 of the Ruah Enterprise Agreement (and the SCHADS Award), starting at $92,575 + Super pro rata
• 5 weeks annual leave+ 17.5% annual leave loading (for award-based staff)
• 16 weeks paid parental leave, with flexibility to take at 32 weeks half-pay (uniquely, new staff can access 4 weeks paid parental leave after just 6 months’ service).
• Free, independent and confidential access for you and your family to our Employee Assistance Program.
• Free Ruah-paid Journey Cover (insurance for when you're getting to and from work).
• Incredibly valuable Salary Packaging (to extend your take home pay) with:
• up to $15,900 core packaging
• an additional $2,650 in meal entertainment packaging
• benefits for salary packaging travel, accommodation, parking fees, education expenses and more!
• Opportunities to be active in the Ruah Community such as participating in a wide range of working groups, joining us at Pride events, being a part of a range of cultural events to promote and support reconciliation and much, much more!

Required compliance documents:

• Current Drivers’ Licence
• National Police Clearance Certificate
• Working with Children Check
• First Aid Certificate

Closing date for applications: Friday 20th November 2026

The Job advertisement may be closed earlier than the date mentioned above.

For further information please contact Holly Turner, Service Lead, at [e-mail]

We are building a workplace where difference is embraced and encouraged - and to do this, weneed people on our team who are representative of the clients we work with, who are passionate about change and courageous enough to stand up for what is right. Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs.

We are committed to protecting children and young people from harm. All applicants will undergo an extensive screening process prior to appointment.