Child Protection Workers
Child Protection Workers work with children, young people and families who are vulnerable or in crisis to ensure children are safe and protection from harm. They have a legal responsibility to respond to serious concerns about the welfare and safety of children and young people.
We’ll support you in your work and career development with professional supervision, a comprehensive learning pathway that will develop contemporary skills and knowledge and opportunities to advance your career.
We’ll support you in your work and career development with professional supervision, a comprehensive learning pathway that will develop contemporary skills and knowledge and opportunities to advance your career.
Field workers
If your qualification does not meet the specified callings framework or you have yet to graduation, you may be eligible for a Field Worker position. Field Worker positions are located in regional offices. Field Worker positions are not offered in metropolitan offices. The Field Worker roles are modified Child Protection Worker positions so that they can be appointed without having a relevant qualification.
Eligibility requirements
You must be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or hold an appropriate Australian work visa to apply for a position through the registers. Migration information for international applicants can be found on the Migration WA website.
To be eligible for employment, you must have one of the following at time of lodging your application:
- Be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia for a permanent appointment to the WA public sector.
- A Special Category Visa with unrestricted stay and work rights for New Zealand citizens to be eligible for a permanent appointment to the WA public sector.
- Documentary evidence (i.e. working visa) of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the duration of the fixed term employment.
- All appointments are subject to a satisfactory National Police Clearance.
- Appointments may be subject to a medical clearance
- A Working with Children Check is required for applicants applying for positions which involve child-related work
Qualification requirements
Child Protection Workers are classified as Specified Callings positions. This means you’ll need a qualification in social work, psychology or other relevant services area to be appointed to a Child Protection Worker position. Most commonly, this means a:
- Master of Social Work (Qualifying)
- Bachelor of Social Work (four years)
- Bachelor of Psychology (four years)
To be appointed to many of our frontline child protection roles, Communities assesses qualifications against its Child Protection Qualification Framework, to ensure that they meet the requirements for Specified Callings.
If your qualification does not meet the specified callings framework or you have yet to graduate, you may be eligible for a Field Worker position. Field Worker positions are offered in regional locations only and are not offered in metropolitan offices. The Field Worker roles are modified Child Protection Worker positions so they can be appointed without having a relevant qualification. Find out more about qualifications assessment for Specified Callings positions.
What we offer
- Competitive remuneration package
- 11% superannuation contribution
- Permanent / fixed term opportunities
- Flexible working and leave arrangements
- Professional development and continuous learning opportunities
- Discount to corporate health providers
- Removal and relocation allowance
- District allowance – regional specific
- Subsidy living expenses – regional specific
- Subsidised housing may be available – regional specific
- Additional remote area specific benefits
- Access to training and development opportunities
- Ongoing wellbeing support for you and your family (EAP)
- Regional incentives for eligible employees
- Salary sacrifice options – including vehicles and superannuation
- Social club functions
- Work in an environment where safety is our number one priority
Learn more about working in regional WA
Apply now
Child Protection Worker - Metro - Open Pool
Child Protection Worker / Field Worker - Regional - Open Pool
The application process
Step 1: Write your application
Show moreYour application is important as it will determine whether you progress to the next stage of the selection process.
To successfully apply, your completed online application must include:
- A current comprehensive resume (curriculum vitae) outlining your:
- personal and contact details (including email address)
- relevant education and training (including qualifications),
- Paid and unpaid work history (and any community involvement), highlighting your experience and achievements most relevant to the role you are applying for.
- The names and contact details of two recent referees. While it is anticipated that referee checks will not occur until the later stages in the selection process, we recommend you check with your referees before nominating them.
- Documentation that reflects the requirements specified in the job advertisement. Please ensure that each attachment is less than 2 MB.
Step 2: Shortlisting
Show moreThe Selection Panel assesses applications (all documentation submitted) and agrees on a 'shortlist' of the most competitive applicants. The most competitive applicants will be contacted by phone or email for further assessment.
Step 3: Further assessment of shortlisted applicants
Show moreThe Selection Panel may use a variety of methods/tools to conduct further assessments to determine your suitability for the role. This can include a formal structured interview, a work-related task, assessment centre and/or a second interview, if needed. Your referees may also be contacted.
Step 4: The decision
Show moreThe Selection Panel will consider all the evidence it has gathered to determine which applicant(s) best meet(s) the job requirements and the business and diversity needs of the Department at the level needed to do the job. All applicants will receive a written notification of the outcome, also offering the opportunity to ask for feedback.
Step 5: Feedback
Show moreWhen you receive your advice about the outcome of the selection process, you are encouraged to phone the contact person for constructive feedback. You will also be advised of your right to lodge a claim of breach of the Employment Standard if you believe the decision made has breached this Standard and as a result, you were adversely affected. Please visit the Public Sector Commission website for further details.
