PRINCIPAL ABORIGINAL CONSULTANT

Child Protection; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 123,000 - 134,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working options

Parental and partner leave

Salary packaging

Professional development allowance

Health and fitness perks

Job summary

The Department for Child Protection is seeking a Principal Aboriginal Consultant to drive culturally informed child protection practice across diverse regional communities. You will use your social work expertise to provide guidance, build relationships with Aboriginal communities and partners, and lead improvement initiatives across the organisation.

Based in Adelaide with regional travel, you will influence practice, policy and program development, ensuring the best outcomes for Aboriginal

Qualifications

• Degree in Social Work that enables full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
• Experience in child protection or related services is preferred.
• Ability to lead, coach and influence practice across teams and regions.

Responsibilities

• Provide cultural advice and consultation on practice matters and decisions.
• Help drive quality improvement initiatives and contribute to policy development.
• Lead cultural practice initiatives and collaborate with Aboriginal communities and organisations.
• Support culturally responsive practice through the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle.
• Travel regularly to regional sites to deliver services.

Skills

Cultural knowledge

Social work expertise

Leadership

Coaching/mentoring

Policy development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Job description

Open to applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent only

Division: Department for Child Protection

Location: Adelaide, Coober Pedy, the APY Lands, Ceduna, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie and Whyalla

Salary Range: $123,048 - $133,957

Classification: AHP4

Engagement Type: Term

Closing Date: 30 Sep 2026 11:00 PM

Role Highlights

Multiple full-time temporary vacancies until 10 October 2027

Influence culturally responsive practice across the organisation

Child Protection Allowance in addition to annual salary.

This position is only open to applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent pursuant to Section 56 (2) of the Equal Opportunity Act, 1984.

Our Far North Far West (FNFW) team has multiple opportunities for Principal Aboriginal Consultants to deliver child protection services across diverse regional, rural and remote communities. These roles are based in Adelaide, with regular regional travel across the FNFW service area, including Coober Pedy, the APY Lands, Ceduna, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie and Whyalla.

As Principal Aboriginal Consultant, you will draw on your cultural knowledge and social work expertise to drive practice excellence across the organisation. You will use your judgement and provide guidance to improve outcomes for Aboriginal children and young people, their families and carers. You will lead quality improvement initiatives and contribute to policy and program development, with your work informing strategic planning across the organisation.

This position will suit someone who values continuous learning, brings a thoughtful approach to their work and leads with confidence and purpose.

In this role, you will:

• Support culturally responsive practice through the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle
• Provide cultural advice and consultation on practice matters and decision-making
• Share knowledge through coaching, mentoring and collaborative approaches
• Lead cultural practice initiatives that support learning and improvement
• Build relationships with Aboriginal communities and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.

About you:

• You provide advice and consultation to support quality child protection practice
• You bring leadership and expertise that strengthens practice for Aboriginal children, young people and families
• You use your knowledge of the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle to influence practice
• You build strong relationships and work collaboratively with Aboriginal communities and partners
• You promote learning through knowledge sharing, coaching and reflective practice.

Interested in the role? Get in touch with the listed hiring manager to talk about the position and what the regional travel involves.

• A degree level qualification in Social Work which gives eligibility for full membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.

Persons of Australian Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, who have the appropriate background and skills but do not have the essential qualification, may apply for and be engaged/assigned to the role of Social Worker and will be entitled to apply for any Allied Health Professional roles requiring a qualification in Social Work within the Department for Child Protection (DCP).

Salary and benefits:
AHP4: $123,048 - $133,957 + 12% super
+4% child protection allowance
+Professional Development Allowance
+Entitlement to claim reimbursement of eligible professional development expenses
+QualificationAllowance may applyif you hold anadditionalqualificationrelevant to the role.

What’sin it for you – Perks That Matter:

• A collaborative team environment, working alongside people who are committed to best practice and making a meaningful impact
• Flexible working options with tailored arrangements to help you balance work and life
• Paid Parental and Partner Leave – additional paid time to support you and your growing family
• Recognition and Growth – we celebrate your achievements and open doors to development across DCP
• Salary Packaging – reduce your taxable income with a range of pre-tax benefits
• Health and Fitness Perks – free flu vaccination plus access to more than 1,700 gyms, fitness centres and pools across Australia through our Fitness Passport program for you and your family
• Wellbeing Support – confidential Employee Assistance Program services for you and your family.

Our workplace reflects the diverse communities we serve, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This includes women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, LGBTQIA+ communities, and those from culturally diverse backgrounds. We are committed to fostering an inclusive, safe, and respectful workplace where everyone feels supported.

• You must have a current Australian driver’s licence (P2 or above) and a willingness to drive.

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) plays a key role in the protection of children, young people and their families within South Australia. The department provides support to vulnerable children and young people to be safe, strong and connected.

Contact Us

Enquiries to Melissa Wicks - Director, Far North Far West 0438 896 571 [e-mail]