Graduate Social Worker

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• New Graduate Grade 1 Social Worker
• 2-year, full time fixed term position with monthly ADO
• Supported pathway to launch your Social Work career in an acute hospital setting

Austin Health is the major provider of tertiary health services, health professional education and research across three campuses in the north-east of Melbourne and statewide. We have a highly engaged, diverse and collaborative workforce that is unified by our goal to help people live healthy and fulfilled lives. 

About the Social Work Department

The Social Work Department aims to provide services to Austin Health patients and their families/carers which assists in the minimisation of the negative impacts of illness and hospitalisation. We aim to enhance social and emotional functioning through targeted interventions; whilst leading and excelling in research, teaching and the use of person- centred evidence-based practice.

About the role 

As a New Graduate Grade 1 Social Worker, you will be responsible for delivering effective Social Work interventions to patients and families admitted to inpatient acute areas. You will be supported to launch your Social Work career in an acute hospital setting. This position is based at the acute site but may be required to work flexibly across different areas or sites when required.

A regular day will see you:   

• Provide clinical care to patients, families and carers
• Contribute to multidisciplinary team meetings and planning
• Apply contemporary and evidence-based practice to your work
• Actively participate in supervision and professional development

About you 

To be successful in this role you’ll bring with you:

• A degree in Social Work and eligibility for Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) membership
• An willingness to learn and develop your Social Work practice
• An interest in working within health, including patient assessment and intervention skills, discharge planning, consultation, referral, risk assessment, and collaborative care planning
• A sound knowledge of principles of professional practice and adherence to professional ethics 
• Previous health/hospital experience is advantageous

Our benefits 

Working at Austin Health means enjoying a strong sense of purpose, engaging in meaningful work every day. Our people also receive a variety of rewarding benefits, including: 

• Greater take-home pay through generous salary packaging, for living expenses, meals, and holiday accommodation. 
• A suite of wellness initiatives designed to support you, including discounted fitness memberships and special offers on health insurance, and a comprehensive wellbeing program. 
• Onsite childcare at Austin Hospital, easy access via public transport and car parking options. 
• Mentoring and career development opportunities. 

Work with us! 

We are committed to cultural safety and health equity for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People. We celebrate, value, and include people of all backgrounds, genders, identities, cultures, bodies, and abilities. We welcome and support applications from talented people identifying as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, people with disability, neurodiverse people, LGBTQIA+ and people of all ages and cultures. 

If you feel this role is right for you, we encourage your early application. Even if you don’t meet every single requirement, we encourage you to apply. What matters most is your passion, your drive and your willingness to learn and contribute. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and interviews may take place prior to the closing date. This means we reserve the right to close a job ad prior to the advertised closing date. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory National Police Check and if required, a Working With Children Check. If you require any reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process, you are welcome to reach out to the hiring manager: Tamara Powell, Social Worker G4 - Acute Medical/Oncology at Tamara.Powell@austin.org.au

Interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Read the position description for further details. 

Application closing date: Monday 1 December 2025