Prison Chaplain - Silverwater

Anglicare; Sydney; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging options

Professional development

Employee Assistance Program

Exclusive discounts

Supportive Christian organisation

Meaningful ministry

Job summary

Anglicare Sydney seeks a Justice Chaplain to provide pastoral care and spiritual support within the Silverwater correctional environment. You will walk with inmates in crisis, deliver chapel services, and engage with staff and families, offering compassionate presence and guidance in line with Christian faith.

The role requires completing theological studies or pursuing pastoral care qualifications, a mature Christian faith, and strong relational skills to navigate a highly structured setting

Qualifications

• Completed or currently completing theological studies at degree or diploma level.
• Experience and/or qualifications in pastoral care, or currently working towards these.
• A mature Christian faith and demonstrated ability to provide compassionate, respectful pastoral support.
• Ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with people experiencing complex circumstances.
• Ability to remain composed under pressure, work within established procedures and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Responsibilities

• Provide pastoral care and support to inmates in crisis or distress.
• Offer one-to-one pastoral care, discipleship and chapel services for Christian inmates.
• Create opportunities for inmates to engage with the Christian message through conversations, chapel services and literature.
• Provide pastoral support to relatives and correctional staff as needed.
• Build respectful relationships within a structured correctional environment, managing risk and boundaries.

Skills

Pastoral care experience

Empathy & listening

Communication skills

Relational/church-communication

Resilience under pressure

Education

Theological studies (degree or diploma)

Job description

Transform lives, every single day Do you want a career that means more? At Anglicare Sydney, we bring the strength, the support and the strategy to make it happen. We're a well-respected not-for-profit that's been serving people in need for over 170 years. Our vision is simple yet powerful: Jesus Christ honoured, lives enriched and communities strengthened. As our Justice Chaplain, you'll have the opportunity to bring pastoral care, spiritual support and the hope of the Christian faith to people within the correctional environment at Silverwater. You'll walk alongside inmates during times of crisis and significant personal challenge, providing a compassionate presence while encouraging positive life choices that can contribute to better outcomes during incarceration and following release. Your ministry will also extend, as opportunities arise, to prison staff and the families and friends of people in custody. Your opportunity Justice Chaplaincy is a unique ministry that calls for compassion, resilience, wisdom and a genuine ability to build relationships with people from diverse backgrounds and life experiences. You'll provide pastoral support to all inmates who seek it, regardless of their beliefs, while creating opportunities for Christian inmates to be strengthened and challenged in their faith. For inmates who are not Christians but wish to explore Christianity, you'll provide opportunities to engage with the Christian message through individual pastoral conversations, chapel services and access to Bibles and Christian literature.

With compassion and faith, you will

• Provide pastoral care and support to inmates experiencing crisis, distress or other significant life circumstances.
• Provide one-to-one pastoral care, discipleship and meaningful chapel services that encourage Christian inmates in their faith.
• Create appropriate opportunities for inmates who wish to explore Christianity to engage with the Christian message and access Bibles and Christian resources.
• Provide pastoral support to relatives and correctional staff during times of need, where opportunities arise.
• Build respectful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds while working within the procedures, boundaries and safety requirements of a correctional environment.

What you’ll bring

You’re a resilient and relational Christian who can remain calm and grounded in complex and challenging environments. You know how to listen with empathy, establish rapport and treat every person with dignity while maintaining appropriate professional and ministry boundaries. You'll be confident communicating the Christian faith while understanding that effective Justice Chaplaincy requires sensitivity, respect and an ability to meet people where they are. You'll also bring the judgement and resilience needed to work within a highly structured environment - following procedures, managing risk, resolving conflict appropriately and remaining composed under pressure.

What’s required

• Completed or currently completing theological studies at degree or diploma level.
• Experience and/or qualifications in pastoral care, or currently working towards these.
• A mature Christian faith and demonstrated ability to provide compassionate, respectful pastoral support.
• Ability to build rapport and communicate effectively with people experiencing complex circumstances.
• Ability to remain composed under pressure, work within established procedures and maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

On completion of theological studies, you'll need to be eligible to hold a licence issued by the Bishop and a Certificate of Appointment. Anglicare Justice Chaplains, whether clergy or lay people, are appointed by the Bishop to their specific ministry context. The successful candidate will also be required to undertake a Police Check and Working with Children Check.

Why Anglicare?

We provide meaningful opportunities and choice, both for the individuals and communities we support and the dedicated people here who make it happen. At Anglicare, you'll get the security, stability and opportunities that come with a strong, well-established organisation that's ready for the future. You'll belong to a community of kind, humble and respectful people who are committed to serving others. You'll also be part of Anglicare's broader Chaplaincy ministry, supported to use your theological training, pastoral skills and Christian faith in a ministry context where presence, hope and genuine human connection can have a profound impact. We're many services, with one purpose - to meet people where they are and walk with them. At Anglicare, we believe everyone is Made for Connection - with God, with each other and with the places we call home. As a Justice Chaplain, you'll live that purpose in a unique environment - meeting people in moments of crisis, listening without judgement, sharing the hope of Jesus and encouraging choices that can help create a different future.

On top of that, here are just some of the tangible benefits you will enjoy in a career with us:

• Salary packaging options that can increase your take-home pay.
• Ongoing professional development and opportunities to deepen your ministry practice.
• Employee Assistance Program providing confidential support.
• Exclusive discounts across hundreds of retailers.
• A supportive, purpose-driven Christian organisation.
• Meaningful ministry where your work can contribute to positive change in people's lives.

Your rewards and benefits

We believe that caring for others starts with caring for our people. Because you put so much heart into helping the most vulnerable in our community, we’re committed to supporting you to thrive both professionally and personally. Here, we recognise that meaningful work deserves meaningful support. So, we’ve designed a comprehensive package of rewards and benefits that reflect our values and make a real difference to your life. We support your career by investing in your growth, balance and security through professional development opportunities. We also offer competitive salary packaging, wellbeing programs and generous discounts for you and your family.

• Salary Packaging Pay less tax on your income and increase your take-home pay! With salary packaging, up to $15,900 of your income is tax free. You can also spend up to $2,650 on accommodation, meals and entertainment… tax free!
• Employee Assistance Program At Anglicare, we care about your mental wellbeing, both at work and at home. Our confidential Employee Assistance Program provides free counselling as you need it.
• Employee Referral Program Be rewarded with a $1,200 incentive every time you help us find the right person for a permanent role! Simply go to our careers page, refer a friend for a permanent role, and if they're hired, you’ll receive an additional $1,200 (taxable) payment when they reach six months of service.
• Formal Recognition The Performance Review process supports your professional goals through ongoing conversations and feedback from your manager. Your Annual Review Conversation provides an opportunity to formally recognise and reward outstanding performance through career progression, skill development and secondment.

We celebrate diversity, champion equity, and foster a culture of belonging - because your unique perspective helps shape stronger communities. Joining our team means becoming part of a values-led community, committed to transforming lives across aged care, housing, mental health, disability and family services. Here, you’ll find the stability and support to build a meaningful career while making a positive impact in the lives of our society’s most vulnerable people. Because your passion for helping others deserves a home where it can truly flourish. Anglicare is where you can do the best work of your life.

Application Close Date: October31, 2026