Principal Guardian - Clerk Gd 7/8

NSW Department of Communities and Justice; Sydney; Hybrid; AUD 117,000 - 129,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

Leave options (vacation, parental, 24‑

Job summary

NSW Trustee and Guardian is seeking a Principal Guardian to lead complex guardianship matters, advocate for represented people, and ensure adherence to the Guardianship Act 1987 (NSW). The role involves coordinating with families, service providers and government agencies, and delivering high‑quality reports.

You will also mentor Senior Guardians and staff, provide case advice, and contribute to policy and standards.

Qualifications

• Degree and/or equivalent experience in social work, health, behavioural sciences or related discipline.
• Proven ability to make complex health and lifestyle decisions under guardianship law.
• Ability to provide leadership and mentoring to junior staff and senior guardians.
• Experience with reporting, documentation and advocacy tasks.

Responsibilities

• Make complex health and lifestyle decisions under guardianship acts and policies.
• Advocate for positive outcomes for represented people in collaboration with families and service providers.
• Provide leadership, supervision and mentoring to guardians and support staff.
• Prepare high‑quality reports, submissions and recommendations.

Skills

Strong communication

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Judgement and analytical thinking

Written communication and report‑write

Leadership and mentoring

Organisational skills

Ethical, person‑centred practice

Education

Degree and/or equivalent experience in social work, health, behavioural sciences or related discipline

Job description

Principal Guardian – Public Guardian

• Multiple temporary full-time and part-time opportunities available.
• Opportunities available across multiple NSW locations.
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements available.
• Clerk Grade 7/8. Base salary $116,981.00 to $129,492.00 p.a. plus 12% superannuation and annual leave loading.
• A talent poolmay be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for 18 months.

About us

At NSW Trustee and Guardian our purpose is to support the rights, welfare, and interests of the people of NSW. The agency supports the NSW Trustee, the Public Guardian and the Commissioner of Dormant Funds to carry out their statutory functions. We do this by providing a range of customer-centred services, including Will-making, trustee, financial management and guardianship services, including some for the state’s most vulnerable people.

We support over 50,000 customers annually and manage almost seven billion dollars in customer assets. A NSW government agency within the Communities and Justice Portfolio, our services help support and protect people at critical moments in their lives.

Our commitment to diversity

Our workplace reflects the diverse community we serve. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This includes women, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the LGBTQIA+ community and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

About the team

The Public Guardian, a division of NSW Trustee & Guardian, supports the rights, welfare and interests of people who may be unable to make certain health and lifestyle decisions independently or with support.

Appointed by a court or tribunal, the Public Guardian may make decisions about accommodation, medical and dental treatment, health care and access to services. The division also provides information and support to private and enduring guardians, service providers and the broader community, while undertaking advocacy and stakeholder engagement to improve outcomes for people with disability and other people experiencing vulnerability.

About the role

As a Principal Guardian, you will make complex health and lifestyle decisions and advocate for positive outcomes for represented people, in accordance with the Guardianship Act 1987 (NSW), relevant legislation and Public Guardian standards and policies. You will manage sensitive and complex matters, work with families, service providers and government agencies, and use sound judgement, negotiation and advocacy to resolve challenging issues.

You will also provide leadership, supervision and mentoring to Senior Guardians, Guardians and support staff, provide advice on complex cases, and prepare high-quality reports, submissions and recommendations.

For more information about the position, view the role description.

About you

You will be an experienced professional with the judgement, resilience and leadership capability to manage complex and sensitive guardianship matters. You will bring:

• Strong communication, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Sound judgement, analytical thinking and problem-solving capability
• Excellent written communication and report-writing skills
• Demonstrated leadership, coaching and mentoring capability
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities
• A commitment to ethical, person-centred practice and achieving positive outcomes for represented people.

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

Essential requirements

• Degree and/or equivalent experience in social work, health, behavioural sciences or related discipline.
• Available to travel throughout NSW and to undertake after hours work on a rotational basis.

What we offer

NSW Trustee and Guardian offers interesting, challenging and rewarding work that has real purpose. Other benefits of joining us include:

• work-life balance with flexible work options (working from different work locations, variable start/finish times, job sharing)
• various leave options (recreation, parental, and flex leave of up to 24 days per year)
• career development including study leave and acting opportunities
• access to Fitness Passport and employee assistance program, and annual flu vaccinations

Be part of something bigger. For more information about joining us, visit the Careers page on our website.

Closing date

Applications close 11:59pm, Sunday 08/11/2026.

For enquiries about the role, please contact Hiring Manager – Phil Kearton, Assistant Public Guardian on [e-mail]

For enquiries about the recruitment process, please contact Kriselle Leggett, Talent Acquisition Officer on [e-mail]