Referral & Assessment Coordinator – The Way Back Support Service

Woden Community Service; Canberra; On-site; AUD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,899 p.a.

Personal leave 15 days p.a.

EAP program 24/7

Professional development

Clinical supervision

Flare Benefits discounts

Job summary

Woden Community Service (WCS) is seeking a compassionate Referral & Assessment Coordinator for The Way Back Support Service in ACT. You will manage referrals, conduct intake and risk screening, and connect participants to recovery-focused services with sensitivity and care.

You will work with Team Leader and coordinators, ensure eligibility, and maintain secure records while supporting partners across the ACT region.

Qualifications

• Experience in intake, assessment, triage or service navigation in mental health or community services.
• Ability to discuss suicide and mental health with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills with note-taking and record-keeping.

Responsibilities

• Manage referrals, assess eligibility and allocate participants.
• Conduct intake, assessment and suicide risk screenings with empathy.
• Coordinate warm referrals and liaise with health and community partners.
• Maintain high-quality records and documentation.

Skills

Intake & assessment

Risk screening

Referral coordination

Trauma-informed practice

Documentation

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Certificate IV in Mental Health / Community Services

Job description

Referral & Assessment Coordinator – The Way Back Support Service

Posted: 14/09/2026

Closing Date: 14/10/2026

Job Type: Contract

Location: Australian Capital Territory (ACT region)

Job Category: Community Services

Woden Community Service (WCS) is a for-purpose organisation that has been providing community-based services for over 50 years. Our vision of ‘A caring community where everyone belongs’ is achieved through our values of Inclusion, Compassion, Hope, Responsiveness, Integrity and Social Justice.

We deliver services across the ACT covering children, families, young people and seniors including housing and mental health services.

Woden Community Service is seeking a compassionate, organised and resilient professional to join The Way Back Support Service, a suicide aftercare program supporting people following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis.

Our Offer:

• Salary packaging option up to $15,899 per Fringe Benefits Tax year, with an additional Meals and Entertainment package available up to $2,650 per Fringe Benefits Tax year.
• 15 days paid personal leave per annum (pro rata) for full & part-time employees.
• 24/7 nationally recognised Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including 3 additional holistic service sessions.
• Ongoing professional development and a supportive team environment.
• Monthly external clinical supervision.
• Enjoy exclusive discounts and everyday savings on essentials at leading Australian retailers such as Woolworths and Coles, all through our Flare Benefits program.

Job Description

About the Role

As the Referral & Assessment Coordinator, you will be the first point of contact for referrals and play a critical role in ensuring people are connected to the right support at the right time. You will conduct intake, assessment and suicide risk screening conversations, gather sensitive information with empathy and professionalism, and support participants to access services that promote recovery, safety and wellbeing.

This role requires someone who is comfortable talking openly about suicide, suicidal distress and suicide attempts. You will engage with people during a vulnerable period in their lives and be able to build trust and rapport quickly while collecting information to assess need, risk and support requirements. From time to time, you will also undertake intake appointments, requiring strong interpersonal skills, sound judgement and a calm, compassionate approach.

Working closely with the Team Leader and Support Coordinators, you will manage referrals, assess eligibility, coordinate participant allocation, facilitate warm referrals, maintain high-quality records and documentation, and develop strong relationships with health and community service partners across the ACT.

Desired Skills and Experience

About You

You are a compassionate and confident professional with experience in intake, assessment, triage, referral coordination, or service navigation within mental health, health, or community services. You are comfortable discussing suicide and mental health, build rapport quickly, and use sound judgement when managing sensitive conversations. You bring strong organisational and administrative skills, experience conducting assessments and risk screenings, and a commitment to recovery-oriented and trauma-informed practice.

Experience and Qualifications:

• Certificate IV in Mental Health, Community Services, or a related field.
• Experience in referral coordination, intake, assessment, or triage.
• Knowledge of suicide prevention, risk assessment, and crisis response.
• Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and record-keeping skills.
• ACT Working with Vulnerable People Registration (including NDIS)and National Police Check.

To be eligible for employment, you must have an active Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) Card (including NDIS), working rights in Australia, and be willing to undertake background checks required for the position, including a National Police Check.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a leading suicide prevention and aftercare service.
• Work in a supportive and experienced team environment.
• Receive regular supervision and professional development opportunities.Enjoy a balance of office-based and community outreach work.
• Make a meaningful difference in the lives of people across the ACT.

For further information, please contact Erin Everett at [e-mail]

Closing Date: COB 14 October 2026

Applications may close early if a suitable candidate is found prior this date.

NOTE: This is a Fixed term contract, which ends on 30/06/2027.

For more information about WCS and services that we provide, including Children’s Services, Youth & Family, Community Development, Housing and Homelessness, Mental Health, Social Enterprise and Aged Care, please visit our website at www.wcs.org.au

WCS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and encourage applications from people of all abilities and life experiences. We also encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply.