Social Worker

Australian Department of Defence; Wagga Wagga; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Australian Department of Defence is seeking an APS 6 Social Worker to support victims engaging with the Military Police reporting and investigation process. The role provides trauma-informed assessment, short-term interventions, and safety planning within a multi-disciplinary SORT team.

You will work with investigators, deliver specialized training, and contribute to policy development while facilitating stakeholder engagement and debriefings across JMPS locations including Randwick Barracks

Qualifications

• Eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• 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 trauma-informed, person centric and strengths based practice.
• Possess the ability to work within the constraints of prescribed policies and guidelines.
• Be willing and able to travel, which may be interstate and at times international.
• Current Drivers Licence.
• Current State of Territory Working with Vulnerable People/Children check.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Trauma-informed care

Victim-centered approach

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

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