Social Worker - Mental Health

Hunter New England Local Health District; Armidale; On-site; AUD 122,000 - 126,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging options

Annual leave

Paid parental leave

Fitness Passport

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Hunter New England Local Health District is seeking a Senior Social Worker Level 3 to deliver specialised mental health services to adults across the New England region. The role includes comprehensive assessment, therapeutic intervention and care coordination to support individuals facing diverse mental health challenges.

You'll bring advanced clinical expertise and a person-centred approach, empowering clients on their recovery journey, strengthening family connections and contributing to a

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in social work with eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
• Eligibility to drive in NSW and interstate and the willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Deliver specialised mental health assessment and therapeutic intervention.
• Provide care coordination across the New England region.
• Offer expert input into family, domestic violence and child protection matters.
• Collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Clinical assessment

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Cultural responsiveness

Communication

Flexibility

Education

Bachelor degree in social work

Job description

Remuneration

$121,568 - $125,507 Per Annum + 12% Super + Salary Packaging

Employment Type

Permanent Full Time

Position Classification

Social Worker Level 3

Hours Per Week

38

Location

Armidale | Glen Innes or Inverell

Applications Close

Tuesday 17th November 2026

Requisition ID

REQ706473

About The Role

As a Senior Social Worker Level 3, you’ll play a pivotal role in delivering specialised, high-quality mental health services to adults across the New England region, providing comprehensive assessment, therapeutic intervention and care coordination to support individuals experiencing a diverse range of mental health challenges.

Drawing on your advanced clinical expertise, you’ll deliver compassionate, person-centred care that empowers individuals throughout their recovery journey, promotes greater independence and supports meaningful, lasting improvements in their health and wellbeing.

As a valued senior member of a collaborative multidisciplinary team, you’ll bring a strong psychosocial perspective to clinical care, providing specialist advice and guidance on complex psychosocial matters. Your practice will focus on addressing underlying psychosocial stressors, strengthening family and cultural connections within care planning, and providing expert input into family and domestic violence and child protection matters.

You will be supported by an experienced leadership team, including the Community Manager, Clinical Coordinator and Head of Discipline, ensuring access to ongoing professional guidance, clinical support and development opportunities. As part of the broader Hunter New England Local Health District Mental Health Service network, you’ll also benefit from connection to district-wide expertise, specialist support and educational opportunities to further strengthen your clinical practice and professional growth.

Where You’ll Be Working

Join the New England North West Mental Health Service as a Senior Social Worker within the New England Community Mental Health Team, contributing your specialist clinical expertise to a progressive and dedicated service committed to delivering exceptional mental health care.

Location

With the flexibility to be based at one of three locations - Armidale, Glen Innes or Inverell - you'll have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference across the diverse communities of the New England region.

You’ll become part of a highly skilled, multidisciplinary team comprising Psychiatrists, Resident Medical Officers, Nurses and Allied Health Professionals, working collaboratively to deliver comprehensive mental health assessment, treatment and ongoing care across the New England catchment.

Be part of a contemporary and forward-thinking service that embraces innovation, continuous improvement and excellence in ambulatory mental health care. Supported by a strong clinical governance framework and experienced multidisciplinary leadership team, you'll contribute to shaping service development and driving positive change, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care and the best possible outcomes for every patient, every time.

Relocating? We've Got You Covered

Making a move can feel overwhelming, but support is available.

The Welcome Experience is a free service designed to help health workers and their families settle into regional communities.

From connecting you with local schools, childcare providers, sporting clubs, housing information, and community networks, the program helps make your transition smoother so you can feel at home sooner and start enjoying everything your new community has to offer.

Learn More: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

What We Can Offer You

At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer:

• Supportive and collaborative team environment
• Ongoing professional development opportunities across the administrative network
• Career progression opportunities within NSW Health
• Annual leave and paid parental leave for eligible employees
• Salary packaging options to increase take-home pay
• Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support wellbeing

Essential Requirements

• Must hold as a minimum a bachelor degree in social work which provides eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers, or other qualification deemed equivalent by the employer.
• Eligibility to drive in NSW and interstate and the willingness to travel in the course of employment.

Key Qualities

• You bring a compassionate, professional and culturally responsive approach to social work, ensuring every individual feels respected, heard and supported.
• You demonstrate strong clinical assessment skills, with the ability to undertake comprehensive mental health assessments and build meaningful, inclusive relationships with consumers, families and carers.
• You possess a sound understanding of the psychosocial impacts of mental health and the ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes.
• You thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, demonstrating flexibility, initiative and the ability to confidently manage competing priorities and complex demands.
• You are an exceptional communicator who builds trusting professional relationships, engages effectively with diverse communities and contributes positively to a multidisciplinary team.

Additional Information

• An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.
• This position is full time; however, part time/job share arrangements may also be considered.
• Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
• At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact [e-mail] for confidential support.
• To be eligible for employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold an appropriate visa that allows you to live and work in Australia. Employment of a temporary visa holder will only be offered in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.

This is a Category A position

Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.

Salary Packaging

Salary packaging is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via [e-mail] or 1300 40 25 23.

Contact

For role related queries or questions contact Melissa Rose on [e-mail].