Domestic & Family Violence Specialist - Victim Survivor

About Us

At Relationships Australia Queensland (RAQ), we are proud to be Queensland's leading provider of relationship and family wellbeing services. Our purpose is to provide individuals and families with the tools and support they need to build happier, healthier lives. Through education, counselling, and community programs, we help people develop the skills and resilience to navigate life's challenges.

Our Cairns team is leading the pilot program for Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Co-Response in partnership with the Queensland Police Service (QPS). This new model brings together Relationships Australia Queensland (RAQ) and QPS to jointly respond to DFV incidents, ensuring immediate support for victim-survivors while enhancing perpetrator accountability. As part of this groundbreaking initiative, DFV specialists will collaborate with police during call-outs, providing trauma-informed care, safety planning, and evidence-gathering to improve outcomes for those affected by DFV.

About the Role

The Victim-Survivor Practitioner – DFV Co-Response plays a critical role in providing immediate and ongoing support to individuals experiencing domestic and family violence. This position operates as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and community support agencies to ensure a coordinated, trauma-informed, and culturally safe response to victim-survivors. The role is 4 days/30 hours a week on a fixed-term contract until September 2026.

The purpose of this role is to provide crisis intervention and early intervention when co-responding to Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) incidents with the Queensland Police Service (QPS).  This will include addressing immediate client crisis and safety needs, and short-term client follow-up offering DFV risk assessment, safety planning and referral.

Additionally, you will:

• Provide a DFV, culturally appropriate and trauma-informed intake with clients at a DFV incident and at short-term follow-up.
• Provide crisis interventions and immediate safety planning to support the immediate needs of victim-survivors and persons using violence, including ensuring the safety of children
• Using approved DFV assessment protocols such as the CRASF, conduct DFV risk assessments to identify the victim-survivor, user of violence, and person(s) most in need of protection.
• Provide early intervention and brief DFV counselling, time-limited follow up and brief collaborative case management to identify, assess, and case plan with the client (victim-survivors and / or persons using violence) to meet their broader range of support needs,
• Participate in local Community Coordinated Response networks involving the Queensland Police Service, local magistrates, and non-government organisations.
• Provide specialist advice and assistance to QPS to enable them to exercise the discretion to charge the person using violence with a criminal offence or issue a Police Protection Notice.
• Engage in collaborative debriefing and reflective practice with QPS to continually improve DFV incident responses.

About You

We're looking for a passionate and driven individual who is committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by domestic and family violence. You're eager to challenge existing norms and contribute to developing new strategies that address the complexities of DFV.

Additionally, you have:

• Ability to work on a rotating shift roster with on-call, regular weekends and evenings required to meet operational requirements of the role (penalty rates apply).
• Degree qualified in a Human Services related field and/or relevant DFV experience.
• Relevant experience in the human services area (e.g. Psychology, Mediation, Counselling, Social work).
• Experience providing advocacy, information, referral and/or counselling to those affected by DFV
• Sound knowledge of the DFV service response system and services, especially in the context of the catchment area
• Understanding of the Domestic and Family Violence Protection Act (2012), Child Protection Act 1999, and other relevant legislation
• Demonstrated understanding of the similarities and differences in DFV risk assessment and management when working with victim-survivors and users of violence

We Can Offer You

Work-Life Balance - Enjoy a flexible, supportive culture that empowers you to thrive at work and at home.

Boost Your Take-Home Pay - Access salary packaging options of up to $15,900 per year, significantly increasing your net income.

Extra Time Off - Recharge with 3 additional paid leave days over the Christmas period, on top of your standard annual leave.

Annual Leave Loading - Receive extra pay when you take annual leave-because your downtime matters.

Study Leave - Pursuing further qualifications? We offer up to 2 weeks of paid study leave each year to support your professional growth.

Generous Parental Leave - Take the time you need to focus on your family with our paid parental leave program.

Wellbeing Support - Benefit from medical insurance discounts and free access to our Employee Assistance Program through Telus Health.

The salary is being offered between $99,000.00 to $104,000.00 per annum, to be negotiated depending upon qualifications and experience, plus superannuation.

Join us and experience a workplace where your wellbeing, growth, and success are our top priorities.

How to Apply

To apply, send us your resume and a brief cover letter, outlining why you're the ideal person for this role

Applications can be submitted by clicking the Apply Now.

Applications close Tuesday 4 November 2025