Counsellor - Family Violence Prevention Legal Services

Department: Family Violence Prevention Legal Service (FVPLS)

Reports To: Principal Solicitor

Key Internal Relationships: Chief Executive Officer, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Principal Solicitor, Southern Aboriginal Corporation employees 

Location: Bunbury – Noting, regular travel to Southern Aboriginal Corporation’s (SAC) Narrogin office and throughout the SAC region of operation is required. 

Employment Terms: 

Hours of Work: 36.5 hours (5 days) per week 

Wages: 

In line with Level 4 of the Social, Community, Home Care & Disability Services Industry Award 2010, negotiated with the option of salary sacrifice. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply for this opportunity (under section 51 of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984)

About Us

Southern Aboriginal Corporation (SAC) are a leading Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation that exists to support the unique and evolving needs of Aboriginal people. Our vision is to: 

Step Up…                  Empower self-determination and Aboriginal led solutions

Stand Tall…               Lead the way with cultural and business integrity

Walk Together…      Build inclusive relationships, partnerships and community through mutual respect and empathy

Our team operates across several regions throughout the Southern areas of Western Australia. We are committed to delivering a holistic wrap-around service model for our community and working collaboratively with other service organisations to provide the best care and outcomes for our people.

Our Values

Our pathway to achieving our vision is strengthened by our values and our cultural ways of working.

We step up...

• We empower our people through supporting self-determined and Aboriginal-led solutions which leads to building our people and our community. 

• We promote equity and seeking justice for all by implementing a culturally informed trauma integrated healing approach which allows us to provide a culturally safe place and dignified service provision.

• We embrace change and new perspectives which helps us grow and make informed decisions.

We stand tall...

• We acknowledge and take pride in sharing where our journey started and how this influences our journey ahead.

• We embrace cultural integrity as a norm and inspire others to do the same.

• Our commitment to practicing good governance builds trust and faith in all that we do through operating with integrity, accountability and ethical business practices.

We walk together...

• We value relationships based on mutual respect and treat people with empathy and compassion.

• Through a community led approach we build partnerships by embracing collaboration and co-design principles.

About the Role

The FVPLS Counsellor will provide culturally appropriate trauma informed counselling services to Aboriginal people who have experienced family violence in the Bunbury and Narrogin office.

The Primary purpose of this position is to support clients to recognise the impacts of family violence, provide space to heal, manage the impact of complex trauma and empower self-determination.

The Family Violence Prevention Legal Service assists Aboriginal people who have experienced family violence in the areas of child protection, criminal injuries compensation, family law and restraining orders.

The FVPLS counsellor will work alongside client support officers and lawyers to provide clients holistic support throughout their journey and enable sustainable change.

About You

You are a motivated and committed person that essentially has:

Cultural Competency

• The ideal candidate of this role would be an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person. Alternately, a strong understanding of Aboriginal culture, protocols and boundaries; and

• Substantial experience working with Aboriginal families.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Exceptional people skills;

• Well-developed written and oral communication skills;

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and cooperatively as a team member and, as required, mentor;

• Excellent ability to effectively engage and communicate with people from diverse backgrounds;

• Demonstrated capacity to deliver activities and support services that meet the needs of Aboriginal people who have experienced family and domestic violence.

• Experience in liaising with community and government stakeholders; and

• Effective problem solving and negotiating skills.

Other Knowledge and Experience

• 3 plus years of experience within a Counselling or Social Worker role or similar;

• Ability to complete comprehensive assessments and determine needs;

• Demonstrated knowledge of best practice approaches to working alongside people who have complex needs;

• An ability to work within people who have experienced trauma both historically and through family violence.

• Knowledge of specialist services to support individuals and their families who are experiencing issues such as housing, AOD and mental health.

• Demonstrated positive working relationships with other agencies in a service network, and experience with shared case work or group work;

• Demonstrated understanding of the social barriers and issues that impact the lives of Aboriginal people;  

• Demonstrated understanding of the Closing the Gap targets;

• Demonstrated ability to provide services that foster self-determination;

• High level understanding of cultural responsiveness; and 

• Good working knowledge of relevant technology and software, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

It is desirable for you to hold:

• A relevant tertiary qualification in social work, psychology, community welfare or a relevant human service / mental health area.

• Knowledge of local Aboriginal community and culture.

• An understanding of culturally informed approaches relating to Noongar people of the Great Southern and their culture; and

• An understanding of approaches aligning to holistic healing.

Mandatory

• Current WA ‘’C’ driver’s licence;

You must provide before you commence:

• A Prior Offender History Check;

• A Working with Children Check.

Key Responsibilities

• Provision of client-led 1-1 counselling support to participants in self-determined programs and activities for clients in FVPLS;

• Utilising the CITIHA Trauma informed healing model to work with clients in the provision of culturally appropriate and trauma informed counselling assistance;

• Provision of ongoing support and expertise to create and implement self-determined action plans to support managing mental health and acknowledge the drivers of FDV;

• Encourage positive relationships and support networks through cultural connection;

• Establish and maintain collaborative and supportive relationships with participants, service providers, other team members and community through demonstrating respect, empathy and understanding cultural needs;

• Undertaking risk assessments and implementing mitigation strategies. 

For a copy of the Job Description that provides a detailed indication of key responsibilities, required outcomes, reporting and workplace culture requirements, please contact our People & Culture Coordinator by email at ••••@sacorp.com.au or by phoning 04•• ••• 449.

Applications Close: Friday 2 October 2026