• Multiple part time positions|permanent|SCHADS Level 6|Ballarat
• Use your AOD expertise where it can change the direction of someone's future
• Address the substance use challenges that contribute to offending

Your new role:

Anglicare Victoria is launching a new statewide Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) service across Victoria’s therapeutic court programs, supporting participants through the Drug Court, Assessment and Referral Court (ARC) and Court Integrated Services Program (CISP) pathways.

We are seeking experienced AOD Clinicians to join our new Drug Court team, providing specialist AOD interventions from within Victoria’s Drug Court locations.

This is a unique opportunity to take your AOD expertise into a therapeutic justice environment working directly with participants, court teams and justice partners to support recovery, reduce substance-related harm and help people build a different future.

You will be part of an innovative new service model where treatment, accountability and support come together.

Make Your Mark

Provide specialist AOD interventions

• Complete AOD assessments and develop treatment plans tailored to participant needs.
• Provide AOD counselling, brief interventions and psychoeducation.
• Support participants experiencing substance use challenges, dual diagnosis and complex social circumstances.
• Use evidence-informed approaches including motivational interviewing and recovery-oriented practice.

Work within a therapeutic justice model

• Balance participant accountability with compassionate, person-centred support.
• Support participants to reduce substance-related harm and work towards recovery goals.
• Understand the relationship between substance use, trauma, mental health and offending behaviour.

Collaborate within the court environment

• Work alongside court-based multidisciplinary teams.
• Participate in case conferencing and contribute clinical insights to support decision-making.
• Prepare court and progress reports where required.
• Connect participants with appropriate community supports, including AOD, mental health, housing and other services.

Support meaningful change

• Help participants build awareness, confidence and skills to manage their substance use.
• Support progress over a 4–12 month intervention period.
• Contribute to outcomes that improve individual wellbeing and reduce the likelihood of future offending.

About You

You are an experienced AOD practitioner who understands that effective change begins with trust, respect and meaningful engagement.

You will bring:

• Experience delivering alcohol and other drug assessment, counselling and treatment interventions.
• Strong understanding of AOD practice, harm minimisation, relapse prevention and recovery approaches.
• Knowledge of dual diagnosis and the relationship between substance use and mental health.
• Confidence engaging people experiencing complex challenges and disadvantage.
• Strong written communication skills, including the ability to prepare clear case notes and reports.
• The ability to work independently while contributing positively within a multidisciplinary team.

You do not need previous court experience. What matters most is your ability to build relationships, think creatively and apply your AOD expertise in a new and meaningful setting.

Qualifications

Essential:

• Relevant tertiary qualification in Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Community Services or related discipline.
• Cert IV AOD or demonstrated AOD competencies.
• Current Victorian Driver Licence.

Desirable:

• Experience working with complex needs, justice-involved populations or within health/community service environments.
• Understanding of therapeutic justice approaches.

What makes this such a great role for you?

• Working from the Drug Court at Ballarat.
• Multiple part time positions, minimum is 0.6 (3 days per week)
• You get access to salary packaging which decreases the tax you pay so you get even more of your salary in your back pocket.
• SCHADS level 6 starting at $115,339 + super.
• Start dates November/December 2026.
• Full induction to help set you up for success.
• Access to discounted health insurance, Fitness Passport, free Employee Assistance, Salary Packaging and a range of other employment benefits supporting your physical and mental health.
• A workplace with Rainbow Tick Accreditation and DCA Inclusive Employer recognition.

What our people say- “There’s a kindness in the way the organisation deals with its people. It still feels like a smaller agency, with that sense that it has amazing influence, which is led from the top, but then there’s this respect between the regions as well. It’s like it’s family, but it's so influential in the industry as well.”

Information session:

We understand that you might want to learn more about this program, so we are running information sessions on Tuesday 20th October at 7pm

The link to the session can be seen below, copy the link and register for the session prior to the date, we look forward to seeing many of you there! 

7pm Tuesday 20th October- https://msteams.link/SF8Y

Ready to take the next step:

Could you please apply for the role before midnight on Sunday 25th October. We will review applications as they are received and book interviews on a rolling basis.

You can download the position description here:  Senior Alcohol & Drug Counsellor PD AOD E AW6 022025 V1.2 (1).pdf

Click apply wherever you first see the advertisement which will take you to our application portal. Create a profile using your email address and then attach a resume with your cover letter through the portal.

The advert is only meant to be an overview, for all the details on what makes this such a unique and interesting position in the AOD space you need to call or email our Recruitment Specialist Paul Ridley at paul.ridley@anglicarevic.org.au or 03 9412 6078

Please Note: It is mandatory for the successful applicant to hold a current Working with Children Check and be prepared to undergo a National Criminal History Check prior to commencement.

Anglicare Victoria acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we operate. We commit to working respectfully to honour their ongoing cultural and spiritual connections to this country.

Diversity and inclusivity are important to Anglicare Victoria and we are committed to ensuring our workplace and services reflect this.  Everyone is welcome at Anglicare Victoria, regardless of age, ethnicity, cultural background, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation and physical ability