Dementia Counsellor

Work at Dementia Australia and be part of a passionate team committed to making a difference. We value our people and are proud to offer flexibility, attractive salary packaging options and employee support programs.

About the role

Full time fixed-term position (until June 2028) based near any of our VIC office locations. We would also consider fully remote applicants in VIC who don't live near our offices.

Reporting directly to the Team Leader Client Services you will be responsible for:

• Providing dementia specific counselling for people living with dementia, their families and carers through individual, group or family counselling
• Providing information about dementia, available services, community and family education and resources to people living with dementia, their families, carers and general community
• Identifying alternative services and supports needed by people living with dementia and their families and carers and make appropriate internal and external referrals as required
• Ensuring consumer directed services are delivered from an enablement perspective, empowering clients, and focusing on the needs and rights of the person living with dementia and their carers
• Screening and assessing clients to ensure that appropriate and timely services are received
• Establishing links, collaborating and developing close working relationships and referral pathways with internal and external stakeholders

What is in it for you?

Salary benefits: We offer all employees the opportunity to salary package up to $15,900 each year for living expenses and up to $2,650 each year for meal and entertainment benefits.

Leave allowances: In addition to your annual leave allowance, you will receive one day paid birthday leave, paid days off during our end of year closure period (if these days fall within your regular working schedule), up to six weeks parental leave and 17.5% annual leave loading. Option to purchase additional leave.

Work/life balance: Flexible, hybrid (or remote) work arrangements.

Employee benefits: Access to discounts and savings at over 450 retailers across Australia. Wellbeing programs and access to free and confidential counselling sessions for you and your family plus access to continuous professional development, staff recognition programs and paid study leave.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for someone with the following:

1. Registration with, or eligibility for membership of, a relevant professional body or association (e.g. Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency, Australian Counselling Association, Australian Association of Social Workers or Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia).
2. Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field such as Psychology, Social work or Counselling.
3. Extensive counselling experience.
4. Knowledge and understanding of the impact of the diagnosis and progression of dementia on the person and their family.
5. Experience in the delivery of educational information and group programs.
6. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written, verbal, presentation skills etc.)
7. Well-developed case notes, record keeping, report writing skills.
8. Ability to self-organise and meet KPIs.
9. Demonstrated capacity to deliver high quality presentations across a diverse community.

Our culture statements

We are aligned in our Purpose

We lead with our Headand Heart

We work together Collaboratively

About us

Dementia Australia is the national peak body and source of trusted information, education and services for the more than 433,300 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.7 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.

For specific role enquiries, please contact

Please note, applications that do not contain a covering letter that addresses each of the key selection criteria in the 'About you' section, will not be considered.