Title:  Social Work/Psychology Counsellor Advocate

Counsellor Advocate – Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault

• Opportunities open for Social Workers or Psychologists to join our dynamic and innovative team in counselling and training roles
• Full-time and part-time roles available with flexibility to support your ideal work-life balance
• $90,235 - $106,907 per annum dependent on experience (pro-rata for part-time) + generous salary packaging options

Make a meaningful difference in the lives of victim-survivors while joining a supportive, trauma-informed team committed to healing, advocacy, and community impact.

About the Eastern Centre Against Sexual Assault (ECASA)  

ECASA provides free counselling and advocacy services to adults and young people/children in the Eastern Region who have experienced sexual assault recently and in the past. Our model of care provides crisis and short to medium term counselling, group work, professional consultation, and professional and community education programs. To hear from one of our Counsellors, please click here.

About the roles

ECASA is seeking applications from suitably qualified Social Workers and Psychologists to join our dedicated team. We currently have two exciting opportunities available:

Counsellor/Advocate

This role requires a strong commitment to trauma-informed, collaborative practice, along with an empowerment and victim-survivor rights-based approach to recovery. ECASA offers a supportive, connected, and positive team environment, underpinned by comprehensive supervision and ongoing professional development opportunities. These supports are designed to strengthen knowledge and expertise in sexual assault, trauma, and evidence-based therapeutic approaches. The position is primarily based at our Ringwood East site, however travel to outreach locations across Melbourne's eastern suburbs may be required.

Counsellor/Advocate – Training and Intake

Building on the counselling and advocacy functions outlined above, this newly established role also focuses on delivering community education and training programs within schools and other community organisations to help prevent sexual assault and reduce its impact across the community. The role includes intake responsibilities, supporting clients to access ECASA services in a timely and responsive manner.

Both roles will participate in after-hours on-call duties with a minimum commitment of two shifts per month.  

About you

To be successful in this role you will possess:

• An appropriate tertiary qualification in Social Work or Psychology.
• Experience in sexual assault, family violence and/or mental health, with an understanding of trauma assessment and treatment.  
• An understanding of the dynamics and impact of sexual assault related to adults and young people/children.  
• A respectful, compassionate, innovative, and reflective approach with a passion for making a difference in the lives of those impacted by sexual assault.  
• Flexibility to move between sites and the capacity to engage and build professional relationships with other teams and agencies.
• Specifically, for the training and intake role, experience in delivering education to people from diverse backgrounds and age groups.

Healthcare workers are strongly recommended to follow COVID vaccination recommendations provided in the Australian Immunisation handbook (based on ATAGI advice). Seasonal vaccination against influenza is a mandatory requirement of this role, and an offer is conditional on this being up to date prior to employment.

About Eastern Health

Eastern Health is one of Melbourne’s largest public health services. We provide a range of emergency, surgical, medical and general healthcare services and have a proud history of serving a diverse community.

Our Employee Value Proposition is “Being a part of Eastern Health means belonging to a welcoming team of healthcare experts”.

This statement aligns with our promise to our communities, patients, consumers and staff that we will be HEALTHIER TOGETHER. Bolder than a vision for the future, our promise calls us to action. We know that working together is the only way we can achieve what is necessary for a healthier future.

What we offer

Eastern Health offers a variety of fantastic Employee Benefits, view the extensive range here!

• Mentor and Shadowing program 
• Access to discovery days across our 50 sites 
• Study and professional development leave 
• Friendly and supportive teams
• Commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion 
• Fitness passport for work-life balance 
• Employee assistance program accessible to you and your loved ones 
• Flexible working hours and excellent entitlements 
• Salary packaging options and an employee benefits scheme 
• Access to private health insurance offers 
• Digital upskilling, such as excel and Power-Bi training 
• Cafes at all our hospitals 

Next steps

Apply online if you feel we are a good match, you have the skills and qualities to make a difference and are eligible to work in Australia. We review all applications when we receive them, and we notify unsuccessful candidates. If you are shortlisted, we will be in touch to arrange an interview, and you must complete a National Police Check.

Good to know

• We are an equal opportunity employer and actively promote equality for people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and for people living with disability – within the communities we serve and our Eastern Health team.
• We provide a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.
• As a child-safe organisation, we ensure child safety and wellbeing is embedded in our everyday culture.
• Vaccination and screening for immunity to vaccine-preventable disease is a mandatory requirement of this role.
• Advertising may end before the closing date.
• We do not accept recruitment agency applications.

Please click here to view the Position Descriptions:

• Counsellor/Advocate (Social Worker)
• Counsellor/Advocate (Psychologist)
• Counsellor/Advocate – Training and Intake (Social Worker)
• Counsellor/Advocate – Training and Intake (Psychologist)

Contact Person: Melinda Dows

Contact Number: 9870 7310

Contact Email: Melinda.Dows@easternhealth.org.au

Job Posting End Date: Monday 31 August 2026 

Need help submitting your application?

Contact the Hiring Manager listed in the advertisement or call the Talent Acquisition Team on (03) 9955 7555 (option 1) for support.

Click here for the Candidate Guide for help with our recruitment process!

Our Values in Action

Respect for all | Safe always | Partnering in care | Learning and improving every day