Social Worker - Palliative Care

Central Adelaide Local Health Network; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Central Adelaide Local Health Network in Adelaide, SA seeks a Social Worker in Palliative Care to provide specialist psychosocial care for patients and families facing complex illness and loss. You’ll contribute to a responsive, evidence-based palliative and bereavement service within an interdisciplinary team.

You will assess needs, support grief, advocate for community connections, and help shape service improvement while maintaining high professional standards aligned with the AASW Code of

Qualifications

• Hold a degree giving eligibility for full AASW membership.
• Health experience in complex psychosocial care.
• Apply counselling skills with individuals and whole families.
• Work confidently within an interdisciplinary care team.
• Understand palliative care, grief and bereavement support.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial assessment, counselling and bereavement support
• Advocate for patients and connect families with community services
• Identify grief risk and provide tailored support and referral
• Advise teams and agencies on specialist psychosocial care
• Lead education, supervision and support for staff and students
• Build community partnerships around grief, loss and resilience
• Shape service improvement, research and best practice models
• Maintain high professional standards aligned with the AASW Code of Ethics and AASW Practice Standards

Skills

Counselling skills

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Palliative care knowledge

Bereavement support

Education

Degree for AASW membership

Job description

Job no: ******
Work type: Full time
Location: Adelaide Metro Western
Categories: Allied and Scientific Health

Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) – Social Worker – Palliative Care

• The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woodville SA 5011
• AHP2 – $94,997–$110,052 p.a. + super + salary packaging
• Temporary Full Time – 1.0 FTE until 14 September 2027, with additional contracts also available

About CALHN

At Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN), we’re shaping the future of health through excellence in clinical care, research and innovation. As the largest health network in South Australia, CALHN plays a leading role in improving the health and wellbeing of our community by delivering safe, connected and high-quality healthcare. With more than 17,000 dedicated employees, every day at CALHN presents an opportunity to make a real impact—not because it’s expected, but because our values guide us to be our best.

At CALHN, every voice matters. We prioritise the safety of our staff and patients, and staying connected across teams to deliver a seamless patient journey through our Safe and Connected Operating Model.

Find out more about CALHN sites and services, our stories and the opportunities to be part of CALHN.

About the Role

Join our interdisciplinary palliative care team and make a meaningful difference for patients and families navigating complex illness, grief and loss. You’ll provide specialist psychosocial care while helping shape responsive, evidence-based palliative and bereavement services.

• Provide psychosocial assessment, counselling and bereavement support
• Advocate for patients and connect families with community services
• Identify grief risk and provide tailored support and referral
• Advise teams and agencies on specialist psychosocial care
• Lead education, supervision and support for staff and students
• Build community partnerships around grief, loss and resilience
• Shape service improvement, research and best practice models
• Maintain high professional standards aligned with the AASW Code of Ethics and AASW Practice Standards

About You

You are a compassionate and collaborative Social Worker who brings sound clinical judgement and confidence supporting patients and families with complex psychosocial needs. To be successful in this role you will:

• Hold a degree giving eligibility for full AASW membership
• Bring health experience in complex psychosocial care
• Apply counselling skills with individuals and whole families
• Work confidently within an interdisciplinary care team
• Understand palliative care, grief and bereavement support

Why You’ll Love It Here – CALHN benefits that matter

A great career is more than the work you do. At CALHN, you’ll have the benefits, flexibility and support to help you thrive at work and beyond.

• Make your money go further – salary packaging up to $9,010 for living expenses + $2,650 for meals and entertainment + pre-tax super and novated lease options
• Grow your career – build your skills and explore opportunities across CALHN
• Balance work and life – access flexible work options where available
• Support your wellbeing – enjoy leave loading, fitness discounts and flu vaccinations
• Feel supported – confidential Employee Assistance Program for you and your family

Diversity and Inclusion

We’re committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone feels safe, respected, and supported. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disabilities, culturally diverse backgrounds, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Application Information

• Please refer to the role description for essential educational/vocational qualifications that may be required ****** - RD for Social Worker - Palliative Care.pdf
• Appointment will be subject to satisfactory Criminal History Clearances and compliant immunisation screening as indicated in the role description

Curious about this role?

Connect with Liz Wright, Psychosocial Lead

P: ************
E: **************************

Advertised: 25 Sep 2026 Cen. Australia Standard Time
Applications close: 11 Oct 2026 Cen. Australia Daylight Time

Social Worker - Palliative Care • Adelaide, SA, AU