Grade 1 Social Worker jobs

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• Supported pathway to launch your Social Work career in an acute hospital setting
• 2-year, full-time fixed term opportunity with monthly Accrued Day Off
• Graduate Grade 1 Social Worker, with flexibility to work across our main sites

About the Social Work Department

The Social Work Department is a dynamic, progressive and highly collaborative team committed to delivering exceptional care to patients and their families/carers. We work to minimise the impact of illness and hospitalisation through person-centred, evidence-based interventions that promote social and emotional wellbeing.

Our department is recognised for excellence in clinical practice, research and teaching, and fosters a supportive, inclusive environment where clinicians are empowered to learn, grow and achieve their full potential. With strong professional support, experienced mentors and a culture of continuous improvement, we are committed to developing rewarding and sustainable careers while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.

What we can offer you!

Joining our Social Work Department will provide you with a wonderful start to your career. With strong leadership and a supportive team environment, you will have the opportunity to work across the broader Allied Health Division and multidisciplinary teams. We will also provide you with:

• Innovative and progressive practice: we embrace best practice and contemporary healthcare delivery models to ensure timely, high-quality patient care, giving you the platform to actively evolve and improve your social work practice.
• A culture that prioritises you: we offer a relationship-focused team culture that genuinely prioritises your personal wellbeing, learning, and growth.
• Career and research pathways: we connect you into a collaborative network alongside the broader Allied Health Division and Education Units, facilitating outstanding opportunities for education, research, and career advancement.

Working at Austin Health also means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including:

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation.
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program.
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options.

About the role

As a Graduate Grade 1 Social Worker, you will be responsible for delivering effective Social Work interventions to patients and families admitted to inpatient acute areas. You will be supported to launch your Social Work career in an acute hospital setting and be based at the acute site (but may be required to work flexibly across different areas or sites when required).

A regular day will see you:

• Provide clinical care to patients, families and carers
• Contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings and planning
• Apply contemporary and evidence-based practice to your work
• Actively participate in supervision and professional development

What you’ll bring

To be successful in this role you’ll bring with you:

• A degree in Social Work and eligibility for Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) membership
• A willingness to learn and develop your Social Work practice
• An interest in working within health, including patient assessment and intervention skills, discharge planning, consultation, referral, risk assessment, and collaborative care planning
• A sound knowledge of principles of professional practice and adherence to professional ethics
• Previous health/hospital experience would be advantageous but not essential

Work with us!

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures.

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Tamara Powell, Social Worker Workforce Lead, at Tamara.Powell@austin.org.au

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details.

Application closing date: Friday 23 October 2026

Apply now

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