Residential Youth Worker jobs in Melbourne VIC

About Us

Established in 1997, MacKillop Family Services (MacKillop) strives to ensure all families are supported to provide children with a safe and permanent home, and the best possible start to their lives. Our work is underpinned by our values of justice, hope, compassion and respect, and by a deep understanding of the impact of trauma, informed by the Sanctuary Model.

Your New Role

As a Residential Youth Worker, you will be passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people. You will bring a calm and resilient approach and demonstrate empathy in an open minded and non-judgemental manner.

You'll play an important role in MacKillop’s Out of Home Care (OoHC) programs, providing a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment for children and young people with high and complex needs. Through goal directed, planned and integrated therapeutic interventions, you will use all interactions as opportunities for therapeutic gain and positive engagement.

You will participate in day-to-day operations, including performing household duties, whilst ensuring the support provided to young people is consistent, safe and empowering. This role is an integral part of our Out of Home Care (OoHC) program and reports directly to the Residential House Supervisor.

We have multiple exciting opportunities available across our Eastern Metro, VIC Residential Out of Home Care (OoHC) program.

What's on Offer

• Remuneration - Hourly rate of $37.36 to $43.42 as outlined in the SCHADS Award Level 2 or 3, 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.

About You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Highly desirable: A minimum preferred Cert IV in Child, Youth and Family Intervention, or other similar or relevant tertiary qualifications, including four (4) additional mandatory competency units (Residential Care Skill Set).
• A commitment towards the principles and practice of quality care in residential settings for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, and to promote autonomy and self-determination.
• Highly developed capacity for emotional self-regulation, including the capacity to set and maintain consistent boundaries to provide safety, stability and consistency.
• Proven ability to relate to and work with children and young people who may experience social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.
• Ability to participate collaboratively and constructively within teams of peers, staff and other stakeholders, as well as initiative and effective personal judgement when working alone.
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the Residential Care sector, particularly within a therapeutic environment is highly desirable.

For more information, please contact:

Tegan Clinch (Residential Coordinator) at Tegan.Clinch@mackillop.org.au

Emily Ramsay (Residential Coordinator) at Emily.Ramsay@mackillop.org.au

The Non-negotiables

Our successful candidate must have the following:

• Valid and current Driver’s Licence;
• First Aid Certificate from a Nationally Recognised Training Organisation (RTO), with a minimum of six (6) months remaining validity;
• 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).
• Completion of four (4) additional mandatory competency units (Residential Care Skill Set)

What's next?

• Please apply via our careers page linked to this advertisement with your resume and cover letter, addressing the key selection criteria.
• For a full position listing and Position Description (PD), please click APPLY.
• Please submit your application by 11:59pm Sunday 4th October 2026. Applications received after this date may not be considered.

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.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

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