Counsellor - Alcohol & Other Drugs in Melbourne

Employment Type: Full-Time (Monday to Friday), Ongoing

Salary: Social Worker Grade 2, Community Development Worker Class 2A, or Psychologist Grade 2 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the Role:

Are you committed and passionate about providing counselling to the adult alcohol and other drug population? Do you want to work for a unique alcohol and other drug service, in the North West catchment that can provide complete wrap around service for clients? Would you like to make a difference sharing your passion in a highly skilled environment that provides support, promotes reflection and encourages growth?

Western Health Drug Heath Services is seeking an experienced Drug and Alcohol Counsellor to join Adult Services and provide counselling to Voluntary and Forensic clients. This presents an exciting opportunity to work in a therapeutic and supportive environment, providing counselling to people experiencing alcohol and other drug issues.

Key Responsibilities:

• The alcohol and other drug counsellor provides innovative, evidence-based therapeutic counselling interventions to both voluntary and mandated AOD clients.
• This role also includes clinical assessment and management, psychosocial support and discharge planning including referral to and shared care models with community service providers.
• A key aspect of this role lies in engagement and provision of a positive therapeutic experience to a complex, often marginalised and disenfranchised client group.
• Part of the role also entails that the counsellors facilitate a voluntary relapse prevention and life skills group.

About You:

The successful candidate will have a high level of written and verbal communication skills; a passion for working with the alcohol and other drugs population; values a cohesive team environment; a drive to ensure best care for an often marginalised group; excellent engagement skills; extensive experience with alcohol and other drug issues; a desire to role model high level practice skills and support other staff to attain excellence in practice.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Proven experience in the Alcohol and other Drug sector.
• Ability to engage, assess and provide risk management to clients with complex presentations.
• Experience in providing AOD counselling to the Forensic population.
• The ability to network and maintain professional relationships with internal programs at Drug Health Services and external service providers.

About Western Health:

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne's western suburbs. With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women's health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia's most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women's and Children's), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women's prison located in Ravenhall.

Why join us?

• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
• Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
• Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.
• Learning and development opportunities Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
• Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
• Mentorship and career support.
• Make a meaningful difference in patients' lives through compassionate care.
• Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
• Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.

Organisational culture and environment:

Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment. Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.

Closing date: 11:59pm on 22 August 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Amandeep Chahal via ***************@wh.org.au.

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).

Western Health is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.

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