Indigenous Support Officer jobs

About TAFE Queensland

TAFE Queensland is proud to be the largest and most experienced Vocational Education and Training (VET) provider in the State. For more than 140 years, TAFE Queensland has delivered practical and industry-relevant training to provide students with the skills and experience they need to build lifelong careers. Our award-winning training is delivered on campus, online, and in the workplace to give people the skills they need to enrich their communities, support their industries, and strengthen their local economies.

By working at TAFE Queensland, you can be part of a highly experienced workforce that is closely connected with their industries and dedicated to delivering best practices and innovative training.

Your Opportunity

Student Support Officers are employed to ensure the successful participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in TAFE courses by providing a program of support and consultation on academic, personal and career matters. The position ensures an awareness of and increased participation in TAFE courses by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through liaison with Indigenous communities, groups and individuals.

This position reports to the Manager, Centre for First Nations Training.

This is a Permanent, Full-time opportunity.

The position will be based primarily at Cairns, however you may be required to perform work at other TAFE Queensland campuses.

Key Responsibilities

Provide a program of support and consultation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students on academic, personal and career matters.
Provide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with academic support by arranging tuition for groups/individuals.
Act as a 'link' person between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and the institute teaching staff.
Initiate and be involved in staff development activities including cultural capability training.
Liaise with School Community Education Counsellors and provide advice to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students about training opportunities at TAFE and arrange study tours at TAFE Qld North campuses.
Promote TAFE Queensland courses to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community groups and individuals.
Assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to enrol into TAFE Queensland courses and provide advice and assistance with ABSTUDY applications and liaison with Job Service Agencies...
Liaise with relevant state and commonwealth departments in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs at TAFE Queensland North.
Contribute to the achievement of TAFE Queensland's quality policies by encouraging an environment where high quality work is achieved and is supported by the adherence/development of quality system documentation.
Update and maintain knowledge of the region's services, products and policies and use this knowledge base to make informed, consistent decisions in the delivery and/or referral of services.
Undertake research and development on matters relating to business functions.
Ensure day to day activities align with business operations.
Contribute to improvement in business processes and practices.
Contribute to the success of transformation and cultural change through promoting and modelling the established values of Showing Initiative, Working Together, Focusing on our Customer and Taking Responsibility.

How you will be assessed

The ideal applicant will be someone who has the following key capabilities:

Display the initiative, attitude and ability to thrive within a dynamic, challenging and changing environment.
Demonstrated experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people.
Well developed interpersonal and communication skills as evidenced by the ability to communicate effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in a variety of contexts (including within their particular family/clan/kinship systems) and to liaise with educators and a broad range of representatives from community.
Ability to provide advice and guidance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students on academic, personal and career matters.
Ability to enhance relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and staff at TAFE Queensland North by promoting advice on sensitive cultural matters.

Note:
This position is a Specified position because a significant proportion of the duties involve policy and program development, direct communication and support services for Aboriginal persons and Torres Strait Islander persons. It is not mandatory for an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person to fill a specified position however, successful applications must demonstrate that they meet the specified criteria.
Applicants will be expected to provide a reference from an Aboriginal person and / or Torres Strait Islander person concerning their ability to satisfy points 2 and 3 under the How you will be Assessed criteria.

Mandatory Qualifications/Requirements

Working with Children Check (Blue Card)
Current Queensland Drivers Licence

Working with Children Check (Blue Card): Confirmation of employment is conditional upon the preferred applicant being issued with a Blue Card. For further information, please access the Public Safety Business Agency's Blue Card Services: http://www.bluecard.qld.gov.au/.

Note: Proof to be provided at interview.

How to apply

If you're interested in this role, click the 'Apply' button to submit your application via the TAFE Queensland Recruitment Portal. When submitting your application, please ensure you provide the following:

A detailed resume;
A cover letter that outlines your known skills, abilities, knowledge and experience in response to the 'How you will be assessed' criteria above (maximum of 2 pages in total);
A reference from an Aboriginal person and / or Torres Strait Islander person concerning your ability to satisfy points 2 and 3 under the "How you will be Assessed" criteria above; and
The contact details for two referees (one of whom is your current supervisor)

Closing date: 2 July 2026

Job Reference Number: TQ2026-574

For further information, please contact:
Jeanie McIntosh - Manager,Centre for First Nations Training

jeanie.mcintosh@tafeqld.edu.auThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.