Student Counsellor

Queensland Government; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

TAFE Queensland seeks a Student Counsellor based in Cairns to deliver psycho/social/educational counselling and confidential support to students. You will advocate for students with special needs and liaise with staff to ensure access to resources and equitable opportunities.

The role requires a Bachelor's degree in Psychology or Social Work, a Blue Card, and collaborative engagement with industry partners to promote vocational education and student success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Psychology or Social Work or equivalent.
• Working with Children Check (Blue Card) required.
• Proof of qualifications to be provided at interview.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis counselling to students with complex distress and referrals when needed.
• Offer course and pre-course counselling and financial access to vocational programs.
• Liaise with teachers and staff to provide vocational and career advisory services.
• Advocate on behalf of students regarding rules and appeals processes.
• Support teaching staff in managing student learning and developing study skills.
• Assist students with special needs and maintain up-to-date local resources.
• Engage with industry and community to promote VET and regional opportunities.
• Maintain qualitative and quantitative records of service provision.
• Understand financial and business aspects impacting the region.
• Promote and model organisational values and drive cultural change.

Skills

Counselling

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Psychology or Social Work

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

About TAFE QueenslandTAFE Queensland is proud to be the largest and most experienced Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider in the State. For more than 140 years, TAFE Queensland has delivered practical and industry-relevant training to provide students with the skills and experience they need to build lifelong careers. Our award-winning training is delivered on campus, online, and in the workplace to give people the skills they need to enrich their communities, support their industries, and strengthen their local economies.By working at TAFE Queensland, you can be part of a highly experienced workforce that is closely connected with their industries and dedicated to delivering best practices and innovative training.Your OpportunityAs the Student Counsellor you will develop and implement specialised career guidance to prospective students and confidential counselling services on matters of a personal nature to current students, to assist them in overcoming barriers to their successful participation in educational activities and the workforce generally. You will be responsible for the provision of advocacy on behalf of special needs clients to campus and TAFE Queensland personnel for equitable access to resources, programs, services and facilities and assist staff and students to develop an understanding and awareness of those with special needs. Discipline specific professional support and supervision are independently sought through the Psychology Board of Australia or the Australian Association of Social Workers as negotiated with the Manager. There are no staff or budget supervisory components attached to this role.This position reports to the Director, Educational Support ServicesThis is a Permanent, Full-Time opportunityThe position will be based primarily at Cairns campus however you may be required to perform work at other TAFE Queensland campuses.Key ResponsibilitiesProvide psycho/social/educational crisis counselling to students experiencing complex psychological and emotional distress affecting their performance across the Region, including diagnostic and risk assessment, and providing referrals to other support or specialised community agencies.Provide course and pre-course counselling and assistance with financial access to Vocational programs to prospective students, including negotiating flexible fee payment plans.Liaising and consulting with teachers, Business and Portfolio Managers, and other officers in providing a specialty professional, vocational and career advisory service to existing and prospective students.Represent the needs of the student population, to Regional and Departmental staff, by advocating on behalf of students regarding TAFE Queensland student rules, and appeals processes.Provide support to teaching and administrative staff in the management of student learning, including organising skill development programs for groups of students with identified difficulties on a case by case basis. (e.g. study skills, time management, motivation, stress management, and interpersonal skills).Provide assistance and support to students with special needs (e.g. students with disabilities, migrant students, overseas students, and Aboriginal and Islander students), including maintaining and ordering up to date local community services information, continuously maintaining and updating student self-help brochure displays and resources repository.Participate as required in external activities that promote Vocational Education and Training generally, and the Region in particular, by providing course, eligibility and funding requirement information.Maintain up to date qualitative and quantitative records of service provision which demonstrates value adding to the Region's business.Maintain an understanding of the commercial aspects of TAFE including financial and business performance and any impact from external factors.Actively engage with industry, business and the community.Contribute to the success of transformation and cultural change through promoting and modelling the established values of Showing Initiative, Working Together, Focusing on our Customer and Taking Responsibility.How you will be assessedThe ideal applicant will be someone who has the following key capabilities:Confidently presents messages in a clear, concise manner and has the ability to provide personal, educational and vocational counselling advice to young and mature adults.Demonstrates the ability to draw on information from multiple sources and use agreed guidelines to analyse data.Strong knowledge of counselling frameworks and current issues and the ability to identify and research the needs of students.Actively listens to colleagues and clients and works collaboratively to achieve results.Displays flexibility and responsiveness and has the initiative, attitude and ability to thrive within a dynamic, challenging and changing environment.Mandatory Qualifications/RequirementsBachelor's degree majoring in Psychology or Social Work, or agreed equivalent, from a recognised Tertiary Institution.Working with Children Check (Blue Card)Confirmation of employment is conditional upon the preferred applicant being issued with a Blue Card. For further information, please access the Public Safety Business Agency's Blue Card Services: http://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/Drivers LicenceNote: Proof of qualifications and industry currency/experience to be provided at interview.Highly Desirable RequirementsA minimum of two years' experience in a variety of community and educational settings.Proficient in Microsoft Office (especially Excel and Outlook)Good communication skills, both written and verbalHigh attention to detail and strong organisational skillsHow to applyIf you're interested in this role, click the 'Apply' button to submit your application via the TAFE Queensland Recruitment Portal. When submitting your application, please ensure you provide the following:A detailed resume;A cover letter that outlines your known skills, abilities, knowledge and experience in response to the 'How you will be assessed' criteria above (maximum of 2 pages in total); andThe contact details for two referees (one of whom is your current supervisor)Closing date: 15 November 2026Job Reference Number: TQ2026-1073For further information, please contact:Contact name: Wade SharpleyRole: A/Director, Educational Support ServicesEmail: [e-mail] work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.