Social Worker

Australian Department of Defence; Sydney; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Australian Department of Defence – Sydney CBD NSW invites applications for an APS 6 Social Worker within the Sexual Offence Response Team. The role supports victims through reporting and investigations, delivering trauma-informed care and needs assessments, and providing short-term therapeutic interventions.

The successful candidate will empower victims, prioritise safety, and provide specialised guidance to investigators while collaborating on sexual offence investigations and unit training.

Qualifications

• Advanced understanding of trauma-informed care and person-centric practice.
• Minimum two years post-qualifying experience with trauma/sexual assault survivors.
• Willingness to travel interstate and possibly internationally.
• Current Driver's Licence and Working with Vulnerable People clearance.
• Eligibility for Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) membership.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with victims to empower informed decisions and provide support.
• Prioritise victim safety and wellbeing.
• Provide specialised advice to investigators.
• Collaborate with investigators conducting sexual offence investigations.
• Provide specialised training for the unit.
• Engage stakeholders and debrief investigators.
• Contribute to policy development, quality assurance and internal research.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Victim support

Stakeholder engagement

Training delivery

Interagency collaboration

Education

Bachelor or equivalent social work qualification

Job description

Australian Department of Defence – Sydney CBD NSW

The APS 6 Social Worker is responsible for providing support to all vulnerable persons engaging in the reporting and investigation process through the Military Police. The Social Worker provides an opening for the victim/survivor to discuss any concerns they may have regarding the investigative process, as well as conducting needs assessment that may be related to their psychosocial or health needs. The Social Worker also identifies risks and provides short-term therapeutic interventions.

In addition, this role will be responsible:

• Working directly with victims to empower informed decisions and provide support.
• Prioritising victim safety and wellbeing.
• Providing specialised advice to investigators.
• Working collaboratively with investigators conducting sexual offence investigations.
• Providing specialised training for the unit.
• Conducting stakeholder engagement and debriefing of investigators.
• Contributing to policy development, quality assurance and internal research projects.

About our Team

The Sexual Offence Response Team (SORT) is a multi-disciplinary investigation capability comprising of an Australian Defence Force Investigators (ADFI) and Social Workers.

The SORT is implementing the principles of Trauma Informed Care Framework and victim centric approach when conducting sexual offence investigations. This method is expected to improve outcomes for the victims of sexual offences, the investigative process and to preserve the capability of the Australian Defence Organisation.

The SORT approach in dealing with sexual offences investigations is to incorporate best practices that relate to victims care and recovery, as well as achieving best evidence from people impacted by trauma or highly vulnerable people.

The SORT team provides support directly to all Joint Military Police Stations (JMPS) around Australia, or any other areas of operations where the ADF exists.

Our Ideal Candidate

The Sexual Offence Response Team (SORT) is focused on supporting the victim/survivor, minimising harm, and mitigating additional secondary trauma during an investigation. The successful candidate requires an advanced understanding of the trauma informed care framework and the principle of person centricity, which is critical to Defence’s harm minimisation efforts.

In addition, the successful candidate will:

• Have a well-developed understanding of the impacts of trauma.
• Have a minimum two years post-qualifying practice experience working directly with individuals who have experienced trauma associated with sexual assault or similar experience in a trauma support setting.
• Conduct practice that is trauma informed, person centric and strengths based.
• Possess the ability to work within the constraints of prescribed policies and guidelines.
• Be willing and able to conduct travel, which may be interstate and at times international.
• Current Drivers Licence.
• Current State of Territory Working with Vulnerable People/Children check.

The office locations for these 2 position are: Randwick Barracks - Sydney, NSW and RAAF Base - Wagga Wagga, NSW.

For a successful applicant living outside of these locations, relocation assistance may be provided in accordance with policy.

Mandatory Qualifications:

Eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).

Application Closing Date: 11:30pm Monday 26 October 2026.

For further information please review the job information pack, reference DPG/05568/26 on https://defencecareers.nga.net.au/?jati=DFC204C2-3351-C704-53A9-ED62AF4E5CF0