YAMHS Wiyiliin ta Mental Health Clinician

Lead with culture, care and connection – join a deadly team making a real difference for Aboriginal kids, families and community.

Remuneration: $109,247 - $133,156 per annum + super

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until June 2026

Position Classification: Counsellor Level 3, Social Worker Level 3, Occupational Therapist Level 3, Clinical Psychologist, Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2

Location: Awabakal, Worimi and Wonnarua lands

Hours Per Week: 38

Requisition ID: REQ619839

Applications Close: Sunday 16th November 2025

YAMHS respectfully acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the custodians of the land in which our mental health facilities are located. We pay our respects to our Elders who are the knowledge holders of our culture and who keep our traditions, rituals, song lines alive. We respect the continuing connection to the sky, land, rivers and seas of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and its interconnectedness to social, emotional, physical, spiritual and mental health and wellbeing. We acknowledge the many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities within our district, the staff who work with us and the Aboriginal services and organisations who partner with us to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across our footprint. We ask all those that walk, work and live on traditional Aboriginal lands to be respectful of culture and traditions.

This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the selection criteria. Citing and corroboration of Aboriginal identity is flexible, however the statutory requirements for Aboriginality are based upon descent. For information on Confirmation of Aboriginality requirements click here. If you require support, please make contact so this support can be offered.

About the role

Are you a passionate and experienced clinician who's committed to improving the mental health, social, and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, and families?

YAMHS is looking for a Senior Clinician who's ready to make a meaningful impact in community and work as part of a strong, supportive, and culturally grounded team. In this role, you'll work closely with a dedicated team of YAMHS/CAMHS multidisciplinary mental health professionals, as well as local Aboriginal Medical Services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations. Together, you'll deliver holistic, culturally safe, and wraparound care for children, young people, and their families.

You will provide high-quality, culturally responsive mental health assessments, care planning, implementation, and evaluation services, while building strong and respectful partnerships with families, communities, and service providers. Your work will contribute to a collaborative and empowering model of care that centres Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of being, knowing, and doing.

Why join us?

You won't be on your own — you'll be part of a large Aboriginal mental health workforce that connects daily through clinical and wellbeing huddles, cultural activities, and community events. You'll also take part in regular networking with YAMHS and other Aboriginal organisations, supported by the YAMHS/CAMHS Clinical Governance Framework and Model of Care.

You'll have access to ongoing child and adolescent training and development opportunities, along with cultural clinical supervision through the Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) framework. And best of all, you'll receive four paid hours each month to reconnect to culture and nurture your spiritual wellbeing — because we know caring for community starts with caring for yourself. This position is part of our ongoing commitment within HNE Mental Health Services to create sustainable employment and career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the public health sector. If you're passionate about community, culture, and creating lasting change in the lives of young people and families, we'd love to hear from you.

About you

You're someone who thrives on collaboration and connection. You'll work closely with the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) and Youth Aboriginal Mental Health Service (YAMHS) Leadership Teams to ensure the delivery of culturally safe, inclusive, and responsive clinical care that truly meets the needs of Aboriginal communities. You're passionate about improving mental health and strengthening the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, and their families. You value community, culture, and compassion — and you bring these values into everything you do.

You enjoy working within community settings, providing culturally grounded support, advocacy, and consultation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people accessing Hunter New England Mental Health services. You're committed to creating a culturally safe and supportive team environment where self-care, respect, and understanding are at the heart of your practice. You'll share your cultural knowledge and provide guidance to non-Aboriginal colleagues and stakeholders, helping others understand local cultural protocols and the importance of holistic, culturally responsive approaches to mental health and social and emotional wellbeing. Above all, you bring strength, empathy, and dedication to enhancing engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander consumers. You listen deeply, learn from lived experience, and walk alongside children, young people, families, and communities to support healing, growth, and connection.

Requirements

• Must hold a qualification in one of the following: Occupational Therapy, Clin Psychology/clin psych in training, Nursing, Social Work, Counsellor (Degree in Bachelor of Health Science Mental health, Djirruwang Program), Nutrition and Dietetics which provides eligibility or membership of the relevant professional association general registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. For a CNS2: relevant post-registration qualifications and at least 3 years experience working in the clinical area of a post-graduate qualification.
• Eligibility to drive in NSW and interstate and the willingness to travel in the course of employment.

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:

• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• Proximity to shopping and other services
• Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
• Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing
• Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members

Additional Information

• An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.
• This position is full time; however, job share and/or part time arrangements will be considered.
• 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.
• 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.

This is a Level 3 position. However, if there are no appropriate Level 3 applicants, applications from Level 1 and 2 will be considered. The selection criteria reflects the requirements for a Level 3 applicant. Responses from Level 1 or 2 applicants need to demonstrate their level of competence with regard to the same criteria and their ability to work towards Level 3. The expected performance of the incumbent will be commensurate with his/her years of experience and current level at commencement of appointment. The incumbent will work towards meeting the criteria for Level 3.

How to apply:

Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.

• Demonstrated expertise and advanced clinical reasoning skills in delivering culturally safe clinical child and adolescent and/or family systems practice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients.
• Proven ability to Closing the Gap in mental health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by demonstrating and implementing strategies to increase Aboriginal participation in decision making processes, delivering culturally respectful services, providing culturally safe environments and increasing cultural competency of staff.

Need more information?

1) Click here for the Position Description

2) Find out more about applying for this position

For role related queries or questions contact Bron Rose on or David Maher on

Information for Applicants:

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit:

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit:

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.

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 HNELHD- for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier-free application process.

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 or

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

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