Hunter Drug & Alcohol Counsellor

Hunter New England Local Health District; Mount Hunter; On-site; AUD 79,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

12% Super

Salary Packaging

Job summary

Hunter New England Local Health District invites applications for a role within the Hunter Drug and Alcohol Counselling Team at Westlakes Community Health Service. You will apply your clinical expertise to assess clients and develop tailored care plans within established timeframes.

Working in a collaborative multidisciplinary team, you’ll use evidence-based practice to inform decisions, prioritise competing demands, and travel across the Greater Newcastle region to deliver face-to-face care,

Qualifications

• Must hold a degree in Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Welfare, Counselling or equivalent with AHPRA registration.
• Eligible to drive in NSW and travel for work, including long distances.

Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive client assessments and develop tailored care and management plans.
• Collaborate within a multidisciplinary team and apply evidence-based practice to inform decisions.
• Travel across the Greater Newcastle region to deliver face-to-face care.

Education

Degree in Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Welfare, Counselling or equivalent (AHPRA registration where applicable)

Job description

Remuneration

$79,419 - $125,507 Per Annum (dependent on qualifications) + 12% Super + Salary Packaging

Employment Type

Permanent Full Time

Position Classification

Counsellor Lvl 1 ,CounsellorLvl 2, Psychologist, Registered Nurse, Social Worker Lvl 1, Social Worker Lvl 2

Hours Per Week

38

Location

Westlakes CHS (Toronto and surrounding areas)

Requisition ID

REQ689730

Applications Close

Wednesday 16th September 2026

About The Role

In this role, you’ll draw on your clinical expertise to undertake comprehensive client assessments and develop tailored care and management plans designed to achieve positive outcomes within established timeframes. Working as part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team, you’ll apply sound clinical judgement and evidence-based practice to inform individual case decisions, while confidently prioritising competing demands and responding effectively within a dynamic environment.

You’ll be supported by your Line Manager, Allied Health Lead and experienced colleagues across the DACS team, ensuring you have the guidance and support to thrive in your role. A comprehensive orientation will set you up for success from commencement, with ongoing encouragement and access to professional development opportunities designed to strengthen your skills, broaden your expertise and support your continued career growth.

Where You’ll Be Working

Join the Hunter Drug and Alcohol Counselling Team at Westlakes Community Health Service in Toronto, where you’ll become part of a compassionate and collaborative multidisciplinary team dedicated to supporting individuals and communities across the Greater Newcastle region.

This role offers the opportunity to provide meaningful, face-to-face care while building genuine connections with clients from diverse backgrounds and communities. With regular travel across the region, you’ll take your expertise beyond the clinic and help deliver accessible, person-centred support where it is needed most.

Enjoy the opportunity to broaden your clinical experience, connect with diverse communities and make a tangible difference across the Greater Newcastle area.

What We Can Offer You

At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer:

• Supportive and collaborative team environment
• Ongoing professional development opportunities across the administrative network
• Career progression opportunities within NSW Health
• Annual leave and paid parental leave for eligible employees
• Salary packaging options to increase take-home pay
• Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support wellbeing

Essential Requirements

• Must hold a degree in Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Welfare, Counselling or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer, which provides eligibility or membership of the relevant professional association and full registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), where applicable.
• Eligible to drive in NSW and the ability and willingness to travel for work purposes which may involve driving long distances.

Additional Information

• An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.
• Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing 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.
• At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact [e-mail] for confidential support.
• To be eligible for employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold an appropriate visa that allows you to live and work in Australia. Employment of a temporary visa holder will only be offered in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.

Information For Applicants

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.

Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via [e-mail] or 1300 40 25 23.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

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