Welfare Advisor

Macquarie University Employees, Location, Alumni; Sydney; On-site; AUD 112,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible, hybrid work arrangements

17% Superannuation

Subsidised onsite parking

Extensive training and professional发展

Onsite childcare facilities

Discounted health insurance

Sport & Aquatic Centre access

Employee Assistance Program

Onsite GP, imaging & physio

Job summary

Macquarie University seeks a Welfare Advisor to join the Student Wellbeing team within the Office of the Pro Vice‑Chancellor (Dean of Students). The role focuses on providing high‑quality welfare support, timely intervention, and coordinated care pathways for students.

You will lead welfare programs for international students under 18, supervise team members, and help drive continuous improvements across wellbeing services onsite at North Ryde.

Qualifications

• Degree in Health, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Law, or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated welfare or wellbeing support experience in complex environments.
• Strong understanding of higher education sector and related frameworks.
• Ability to assess, manage and escalate risk, and provide student support.

Responsibilities

• Provide high‑quality welfare guidance on a range of student issues including health, housing, finances and safety.
• Coordinate risk assessments and referrals to Emergency Services, mental health teams and GPs.
• Lead the International Under 18 and Under 17 Care, Accommodation & Welfare Program and supervise staff.
• Engage with internal and external partners to ensure effective welfare responses and referral pathways.
• Contribute to governance, reporting and continuous service improvements.

Skills

Welfare support

Risk assessment

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Confidentiality

Education

Degree in Health or Social Science or related discipline

Job description

Job Description

• Annual base salary from $111,643 - $121,045 per annum (HEW Level 7) + 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
• Full‐time, continuing role
• Onsite based at Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

Macquarie University is seeking an experienced and compassionate Welfare Advisor to join the Student Wellbeing team within the Office of the Pro Vice‐Chancellor (Dean of Students). This is a meaningful opportunity to directly impact the lives of students by providing high‐quality welfare support, timely intervention, and coordinated care pathways.

In this role, you'll work at the heart of student wellbeing, helping students navigate personal, financial, health, and social challenges while ensuring they have access to the right support at the right time. You'll also play a key leadership role in coordinating welfare programs for international students under 18, supervising team members, and contributing to the continuous improvement of wellbeing services across the University.

Due to the collaborative nature of this role, we're looking for someone who can be based onsite. This will help you connect quickly with key stakeholders and immerse yourself in the work from day one. We do support flexible working as needs arise.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager, Care & Welfare, the Welfare Advisor provides expert welfare support and guidance to students experiencing a broad range of personal and welfare challenges. Key responsibilities include:

• Student Welfare Support: Provide high‑quality guidance to students on matters including academic adjustment, accommodation, financial stress, family or relationship issues, health concerns, legal matters, work rights, and social challenges. Deliver short‑term case management and ongoing welfare support, including assessing, managing, and escalating risk presentations as required.
• Risk Assessment & Escalation: Identify and elevate potential risks in line with University policies, including intentions of harm to self or others, first symptoms of psychosis, and disclosures related to Gender‑Based Violence (GBV). Coordinate referrals to external services including Emergency Services, Acute Mental Health Teams, and General Practitioners.
• Program Leadership: Coordinate the International Under 18 and Under 17 Care, Accommodation & Welfare Program, including supervision of the Welfare Officer [MV1] and oversight of student caseloads.
• Financial Hardship: Oversee wellbeing guidance for student financial hardship cases, including assessment, referrals, and follow‑ups.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Manage faculty relationships with Student Wellbeing, acting as an escalation point for staff managing welfare concerns. Develop and maintain relationships with external organisations to ensure referral pathways remain current and effective.
• Service Promotion: Support the promotion of Student Wellbeing initiatives through communication campaigns, awareness activities, and proactive engagement, including contributions to Thrive Hub activations, Kickstart, and other University events.
• Governance & Compliance: Prepare reports for key stakeholders and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, University policies, TEQSA, and ESOS requirements. Identify opportunities to enhance service quality through data‑informed practice.

About Us

The Deputy Vice‑Chancellor (Academic) is the Chief Academic Officer of the University, with overall responsibility for the planning, quality and delivery of education to Macquarie's undergraduate and postgraduate students. Within this portfolio, the Pro Vice‑Chancellor (Dean of Students) leads student support services and student experience, encompassing Student Life, Student Integrity and Compliance, and Student Wellbeing.

The Student Wellbeing team is central to creating a safe and supportive environment where all students can navigate challenges, access integrated support, and achieve their academic and personal goals.

About You

You are a skilled welfare professional who brings both empathy and expertise to complex student‑facing work. With a strong background in welfare or wellbeing support - ideally within higher education or community services - you are adept at managing sensitive situations, coordinating across teams, and driving service improvements.

Selection Criteria

• Degree in Health, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Law, or a related discipline, and/or equivalent experience in a welfare or wellbeing setting.
• Demonstrated experience providing welfare and wellbeing support within a complex environment, preferably in higher education or community services.
• Strong understanding of the Australian higher education sector and CRICOS, including student experience, wellbeing, safety and inclusion frameworks for both domestic and international students.
• Proven ability to assess, manage and elevate risk presentations, and to provide effective support to students with accessibility, health or personal challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and external support agencies to coordinate effective welfare responses.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally and sensitively with students in complex or distressing situations.
• Organisational and problem‑solving skills, with the capacity to manage competing priorities while maintaining confidentiality and attention to detail.

Applications Close: 14 April 2026

We reserve the right to progress or decline an application or close the advert prior to the application closing date.

For enquiries, or a confidential conversation about the role please contact Melinda Varhegyi, Manager CARE & Welfare at [e-mail].

Why Join Us?

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today.

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index. Explore the fantastic benefits available to you when you become part of the team at Macquarie University.

• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
• 17% Superannuation
• Subsidised onsite parking options
• Extensive training and professional development programs
• Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents
• Discounted health insurance
• Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support
• Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics

Pre‑Employment Checks

Macquarie University cultivates a workplace defined by safety, ethical conduct, and strong integrity. Prior to completion of an offer of employment, preferred candidates will be required to participate in a combination of pre‑employment checks relevant to the role they have applied for.

Your employment is conditional upon the completion and maintenance of all role‑required pre‑employment or background checks in terms satisfactory to the University.

If you're already part of the Macquarie Group (MQ University, U@MQ, MQ Health, MGSM), you'll need to apply through your employee Workday account. To apply for this job: Login to Workday and go to the Careers App > Find Jobs.

A Place Where You Belong

At Macquarie, we believe diversity makes us stronger, inclusion drives our success, and belonging inspires us to do our best work. We are proud to foster a community where different backgrounds, identities, and experiences are valued, and where our people are empowered to thrive through supportive leadership, shared responsibility, and a deep commitment to genuine care and respect for our community. Find out more about our vision for a truly inclusive workplace in our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Framework.

Flexible Work

At Macquarie, we believe by providing flexibility in when, where and how work is done, we can support our staff to manage our personal commitments, while optimising their work performance and contributions to the University. See how we lead in flexible work to enable an outcome focused and inclusive workplace. To learn more about our culture and hiring process, explore our Candidate Resource Hub.