Practice Support Viability Officer

PHN Hunter New England and Central Coast; Newcastle; Hybrid; AUD 84,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,900

Entertainment allowance $2,650

Hybrid work model (up to 60% from home

Generous leave & family/community days

Health & wellbeing benefits

Job summary

PHN Hunter New England and Central Coast – Newcastle West NSW is seeking a Practice Support Viability Officer to help general practices improve viability and sustainability. You will build trusted relationships with owners, managers and staff, provide coaching, and use PHN-endorsed tools to support financial performance, operations and workforce planning.

The role involves occasional evenings and travel across the Central Coast, Hunter and New England regions, with hybrid work options and a NSW

Qualifications

• Experience coaching general practice teams to improve viability and sustainability.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with practice owners, managers and teams.
• Strong understanding of business operations in primary care is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Build effective relationships with general practice owners, managers and staff.
• Provide tailored coaching and support to practices facing viability challenges.
• Help practices strengthen operations using PHN-endorsed tools and sustainability activities.
• Support practices to improve processes, financial performance and workforce planning.
• Encourage continuous improvement and preparation for accreditation.
• Support recruitment, retention and effective use of the workforce.
• Promote PHN programs to improve equitable access to primary care.
• Contribute to workforce and succession planning to strengthen continuity of care.
• Contribute to planning, implementation and reporting for the Sustainability and Viability Initiative.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Coaching & staff development

Change management

Problem solving

IT literacy

Education

Formal coaching training

Tools

PHN analytics tools

Job description

PHN Hunter New England and Central Coast – Newcastle West NSW

Location | Newcastle
Hours | Full-time, maximum-term until 30 June 2027
Application Close Date | 9am Thursday 12 November 2026
Annual Full-Time Equivalent Salary | $83,512.03 - $91,947.73 + 12% super + salary packaging

Are you passionate about supporting general practices to build stronger, more sustainable businesses? Do you enjoy developing trusted relationships, coaching others and finding practical solutions to complex challenges?

We’re looking for a Practice Support Viability Officer to work closely with general practice owners, managers and teams to strengthen their long-term viability and sustainability. You’ll provide tailored support and coaching to help practices improve their business operations, financial sustainability, workforce capacity and delivery of high-quality care.
Working as part of our Primary Care Practice Support team, you’ll contribute to the PHN’s Sustainability and Viability Initiative and help ensure communities continue to have equitable access to high-quality primary health care.

Why work for us?

We are a values-driven organisation, proud of our culture and the benefits we offer. Our team is passionate about delivering innovative, locally relevant solutions that improve health outcomes in our communities.

• Salary packaging up to $15,900, plus $2,650 for entertainment
• Hybrid work, with up to 60% working from home
• Generous leave, including five additional days for family and community, three days over Christmas and the option to purchase additional leave
• Health and wellbeing benefits, including our Employee Assistance Program, Fitness Passport and Pride in Diversity membership
• Professional development, driver training and opportunities to collaborate with passionate professionals.

Our recognition as an Employer of Choice by the Australian Business Awards and Hunter Business Awards highlights our commitment to fostering a stimulating and supportive work environment.

About the Role

• Build effective and trusted relationships with general practice owners, managers and clinical and non-clinical staff.
• Provide tailored coaching and support to practices experiencing viability challenges.
• Help practices strengthen their business operations using PHN-endorsed analytical tools, resources and sustainability support activities.
• Support practices to improve business processes, maximise financial success, manage expenses and plan for their future.
• Encourage practices to embed continuous improvement and prepare for accreditation.
• Support practices to attract, retain and make effective use of their workforce.
• Promote PHN-endorsed programs and activities that improve equitable access to primary care.
• Support workforce and succession planning to strengthen continuity of care.
• Contribute to planning, implementation and reporting for the PHN’s Sustainability and Viability Initiative.

What you will bring to the role

• Advanced interpersonal and relationship management skills, including emotional intelligence, collaboration, decision‑making, networking, teamwork and negotiation.
• Demonstrated ability to coach and support teams within a primary care business environment.
• Demonstrated capacity to influence stakeholder behaviour and support the adoption of change.
• Strong problem‑solving skills and the ability to identify practical and effective solutions.
• Demonstrated experience using contemporary information technology and computer applications.
• An understanding of primary health care, current healthcare trends and community issues in the Australian context would be highly regarded.
• Formal training in coaching, or equivalent experience, would also be highly regarded.

This position involves occasional evening or weekend work, as well as work-related travel and overnight stays across the Central Coast, Hunter and New England regions. Applicants will require a current NSW driver licence and access to a comprehensively insured motor vehicle. A National Police Check will also be required before commencing in the role.

Our Commitment to Diversity

We believe our differences are what make us great, whatever our race, gender identity, intersex status, ability, religion, beliefs or sexual orientation. We continue to call out bias and celebrate workplace inclusion, guided by our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy.
If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process, please let us know and we will do all we can to accommodate you.

Additional Information

• PHNs have been funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing since 2015. Some roles at our PHN are maximum-term and linked to our funding contracts with the Department. This is a maximum-term, full-time position until 30 June 2026. Any extension will be dependent on organisational requirements and ongoing funding.
• Salary: This role is classified as Grade F–J under our Enterprise Agreement. The salary offered will depend on the successful applicant’s skills, experience and qualifications. New appointments are generally offered between Grades F–H.
• Portable leave and portable long service leave schemes do not apply to the PHN, including the NSW Health portable leave arrangements and the Community Services Industry portable long service leave scheme.