Cultural Foster Carer Trainer and Assessor

MacKillop Family Services is committed to improving employment opportunities and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

The position will be open to Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants only.

This constitutes a special and equal opportunity measure exception under Section 8(1) of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (Cth), Section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010 (Vic) and Section 8(4) of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic)

About the role

The Cultural Foster Carer Trainer and Assessor plays a vital role in strengthening cultural safety across Victorian foster care households. This position is responsible for developing and delivering cultural awareness training and conducting competency-based assessments to ensure foster carers are equipped to provide culturally responsive care.

Working closely with the National Leader, Aboriginal Service Development, you will contribute to a strategic approach to cultural training and assessment, embed culturally responsible practices into compliance processes, and support alignment with key policy directions, including Wungurilwil Gapgapduir. You will also facilitate cultural consultations and assessments for Aboriginal-identified foster carers, ensuring their unique needs and perspectives are respected and supported.

This is a meaningful opportunity to influence positive outcomes for children and young people in care by supporting carers to build culturally safe and inclusive environments.

This is a permanent part-time (0.5EFT) opportunity based in South Melbourne, VIC within our Carer Recruitment & Development Team. This position reports to the Victorian State Manager Carer Recruitment and Development and also has a direct link to the National Director, Nanyubak Unit: First Nations Practice and Partnerships.

Key Selection Criteria

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• A tertiary qualification in Social Work, Family Therapy, Psychology, Welfare Services (preferably Indigenous specific study) or equivalent.
• Demonstrated experience in assessment and training.
• Evidence of a well-developed understanding of Attachment and Trauma Theories and the relationship to child abuse and neglect, family systemic theory, an understanding of anti-oppressive theories of practice, and an ability to assist others to understand the implications.
• Demonstrated practice knowledge in areas relevant to working with traumatised and vulnerable Aboriginal children, young people and families which may include child development and the impact of trauma including mental health, drug and alcohol, disability, or other trauma related behaviours.

Please address the full Key Selection Criteria outlined in the PD as part of your application.

For a full position listing, please click APPLY. The Position Description is available for review at the bottom of the page.

For more information, please contact:

Tania Ferris at or on

Our offer:

• Remuneration - Hourly Rate of $55.72 to $58.19 as outlined in the SCHCADS Award Level 6, dependent on qualifications and experience. 
• Salary packaging – We can help you to maximise your salary packaging up to $18,550 per year, which allows you to reduce the amount of tax you pay.
• Paid Training - Industry specific training including Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Sanctuary and Cultural Awareness training.
• Fitness Passport - Which is a discounted workplace health and fitness program available to you and your family. For a fraction of the price of a regular gym membership.
• Employee Assistance Program - Free access to a wide range of options with all aspects of life such as social, financial, physical, mental health by providing counselling and coaching supporting relating both to your circumstance, even including health advice from qualified nutritionists.
• Supportive Environment - Monthly supportive meetings with your direct manager.
• Sanctuary Organisation - MacKillop's work is underpinned by the Sanctuary Model, an evidence-supported, whole of organisation framework that brings our values to life. The model reinforces our ability to create a safe environment that teaches people to cope effectively with stress and trauma, and to heal.

You must have a:

• Valid and current Driver's Licence;
• Satisfactory Criminal History Check (paid for by MacKillop);
• Valid Employee Working with Children Check;
• Valid and current NDIS Workers Screening Check (for risk assessed / client facing roles).

Our Commitment

MacKillop celebrates and draws strength from diversity and respects the dignity of all people. Every person at MacKillop has the right to be safe and to be treated justly. We value every person's ability, cultural or linguistic backgrounds, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, intersex status, relationship status, religious or spiritual beliefs, socio-economic status, and age.

It is our goal that MacKillop Family Services continues to evolve as a culturally safe, culturally competent, and welcoming organisation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, young people, families, and communities.

Shortlisting for this position may commence immediately so please submit your application as soon as possible.