Aboriginal Youth Justice Caseworker – Wollongong

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only.

Your role is committed to improving outcomes for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. You will provide front line services to young people at the Wollongong Youth Justice Community Office. This involves providing a range of quality externally and internally sourced services to detainees, youth justice conferencing clients, victims of crime and court mandated young people and their families. The role is part of a multi-disciplined team that aims to reduce re-offending of young people, enhance their functioning and support reintegration into their families and the community.

What you’ll do:

• Develop and maintain relationships with the Aboriginal community and key stakeholders to successfully provide and deliver front line services to young people.
• Undertake case management activities that target appropriate areas of need/risk to the young person re-offending, including case planning, organising and facilitating case conferences and delivering offence focused intervention programs.
• Work collaboratively with Youth Justice staff such as other YJ Caseworkers, Youth Officers and Psychologists, along with a range of government and non-government stakeholders to connect young people to services appropriate to their individual case plan and monitor their progress.
• Work closely with courts, parole authorities, review panels and legal professionals and provide clear and concise advice, briefings, reports and other formal written communication for internal and external stakeholders.
• Use detailed structured screening and assessment tools to identify the risks and needs of young people and determine the level and types of interventions/programs required, including family and crisis interventions.
• Monitor outcome plans and case plans for compliance and progress in line with required operational standards and take appropriate actions.
• Maintain accurate records and data integrity of relevant information systems to ensure accurate, up to date client information is available to support effective case management, planning, decision making and quality assurance.
• Provide young people and their families with the tools, information and support to create positive change in their lives and contribute more productively within their community.
• Contribute to the therapeutic nature of Youth Justice services including behaviour management of young people and reflective practice with staff.
• Adapt to changes and comply with Departmental policies, procedures, standards and best practice guidelines.

What we’re looking for:

• Relevant tertiary qualifications (diploma or higher) in social work, welfare, psychology, criminology, education or related field or equivalent experience.
• NSW Working with Children Check clearance.
• Current Driver’s Licence.

This is an identified position and only open to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons.

Notes: As an Identified role, this role is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia’s First Nations people.

Appointments are subject to reference checks. Some roles may also require the following checks/clearances: National Criminal History Record Check in accordance with the Disability Inclusion Act 2014.

What We Offer:

• A challenging and rewarding career.
• Flexible, autonomous work environment.
• Competitive pay and conditions.
• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities.
• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

We do work that really matters. Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage.

Applications close Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 11:59pm AEST.

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best, please call Lisa Smith.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit. We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds.

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.