aboriginal child and youth worker

Department for Child Protection

Job reference: 694209

Location: - VARIOUS -

Job status: Long Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

Role Status: Multiple Positions Available (Pool Vacancy)

Remuneration: OPS3 $67,589 - $72,033 per annum + 12% Super (Shift penalties will apply which can increase your salary by up to $15,000 per annum)

Do you want to make a difference for kids and young people in care?

Do you want to earn while you learn, with paid training and a formal qualification?

As a Child & Youth Worker, you'll:

• Walk alongside young people in care, helping them feel safe, supported, and proud of who they are
• Share your connection to Country, community and culture while building life skills that will carry them into the future
• Be a mentor, a listener, and a steady presence when life gets tough
• Help non-Aboriginal staff to understand and respect Aboriginal ways of knowing, being and doing.

About the Role:

In our homes, young people need more than just a roof over their heads – they need belonging.

As a Child & Youth Worker, you'll bring patience, humour, and cultural strength to help our kids feel at home and connected.

You'll be:

• Helping with daily routines – meals, school, sport, and community activities
• Creating moments that build confidence – from a yarn over dinner to a kick of the footy in the park
• Providing calm and trauma-aware support when challenges arise
• Encouraging skills for independence, resilience, and community connection

Benefits of working with DCP:

Get more than just a pay cheque. We value our staff and offer:

• Real impact: shape the futures of children and young people to help them feel safe, proud and connected to strengthen culture in care
• Paid training: we'll pay you to complete the nationally recognised Certificate IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention while you work, plus provide on-the-job mentoring
• Work/Life balance: up to 5 weeks annual leave (full-time), 12% super, and shift penalties
• Recognition: our annual DCP Recognition Awards recognises staff excellence while also honouring cultural diversity and acknowledging the meaningful impact our teams make within the community.
• Room to grow: ongoing training and career development opportunities tailored to your goals
• Strong support: Cultural mentors, peer networks and free culturally appropriate and independent counselling for you and your family through our Employee Assistance Program
• Stay well: access to more than 1,700 gyms, fitness centres and pools across Australia through our Fitness Passport program for you and your family.

About You:

You don't need formal qualifications to start- your lived experience, cultural knowledge, and willingness to learn are powerful.

You're someone who can:

• Keep calm when things get tricky
• Build trust with young people quickly
• Share culture and stories in a way that inspires and empowers
• Holds strong boundaries while showing empathy
• Supports non-Aboriginal colleagues to grow in cultural safety
• Adapt to days that never look the same.

Essential Requirements:

• SA Driver's Licence (P2 or above)
• SA Working with Children Check
• First Aid Certificate – HLTAID012 (Provide First Aid in an Education and Care Setting)
• Ability to complete an 8-week, full-time induction program
• Availability to work AM, PM, night shifts, weekends, and public holidays.
• Night shift-only rosters (full-time, part-time, or casual) are available. Just let us know your preference in your application.

Desirable attributes

We value your life experience and cultural knowledge first – but it's a bonus if you've got experience in:

• Youth work or mentoring
• Community services
• Education
• Disability support
• Aged care.

About our recruitment and selection process:

We recruit all year and support you through each step (subject to passing each step).

• Online application

• Phone screening

• Medical and psychological assessments (paid by us)

• Reference checks

• Assessment Centre.

Successful applicants join our 12-month Recruitment Pool until their preferred intake date.

All successful applicants complete the same paid 8-week induction.

What else do you need to know?

Our residential care homes run 24/7, including weekends and public holidays. Shifts rotate with varying start/finish times so think about whether shift work suits your lifestyle before applying.

Before you apply, review the:

• Role Description
• Job Demands Sheet
• FAQs

If you still have questions, email us at

Need help applying?

Connect with our Principle Aboriginal Workforce Consultant if you need help with your application. Email at:

About DCP:

The Department for Child Protection (DCP) plays a key role in the protection of children, young people and their families within South Australia. The department provides support to vulnerable children and young people to be safe, strong and connected.

Our workplace reflects the diverse communities we serve. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, experiences, and abilities. This includes women, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, the LGBTQI+ communities, and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

To apply for this role, please click the 'apply' button to be re-directed to the DCP Career Portal.

Applications close: 30/06/2026 11:00 PM