Step into a role that values your voice, your skills, and your heart
Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Social Worker - Level 3
Remuneration: $116,892 – $120,680 per annum + superannuation + salary packaging
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ
Location: Maitland Hospital
Applications Close: Sunday 4th January 2026
About Us
The New Maitland Hospital, located in the rapidly growing suburb of Metford, offers modern facilities, easy access to the Hunter Expressway and M1, and the chance to work in one of the region's most vibrant and supportive clinical environments.
You will be joining the Maitland Social Work team, a passionate, highly skilled group providing essential services across the Emergency Department (ED), Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Maternity, Child Protection, and Medical/Surgical wards. We pride ourselves on a culture built around teamwork, collaboration and mutual respect. Our Social Work team is deeply connected to the broader Lower Hunter Social Work Services, with strong ties to our colleagues at Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and Dungog. Here, you'll find a workplace where people look out for each other, share knowledge willingly, and celebrate success – big and small.
About the Role
We are excited to offer a new and impactful Social Work position focused on Obstetrics, Paediatrics, and Child Protection – strengthening our service profile and providing essential therapeutic and assessment support to women, children, and families receiving care at Maitland Hospital. In this role, you will deliver crisis intervention to obstetric and paediatric patients, conduct comprehensive psychosocial assessments, and provide clear, timely recommendations that guide care planning and intervention.
You'll work closely with our established Maternity Social Worker and Child Protection Social Worker, contributing to a coordinated and supportive approach for vulnerable families. The role also involves advocating for safe, patient‑centred outcomes and ensuring cohesive support across multidisciplinary teams. As a newly created position, this is a rare and exciting opportunity to shape and develop the role from the ground up, with full guidance and encouragement from your Site Senior and the wider Social Work team.
About You
You are an enthusiastic and dedicated Social Worker with a strong foundation in core social work practice, including crisis intervention, psychosocial assessment, and case management. You communicate clearly and compassionately, work effectively within multidisciplinary teams, and bring professionalism, sensitivity, and sound judgement to every interaction. Experience in health settings – particularly Obstetrics, Paediatrics, or Child Protection – is highly valued, as is confidence working with vulnerable children and families or managing complex psychosocial situations.
While not all experience is essential and many skills can be learned with support, what matters most is your commitment to delivering high‑quality patient care, your ability to adapt within a fast‑paced clinical environment, your collaborative approach to teamwork, and your genuine desire to continue growing and learning in the role.
Requirements
* Bachelor in Social Work or equivalent with eligibility for membership with Australian Association of Social Work (AASW)
Why Work for Us?
* Comprehensive orientation including shadowing, structured onboarding and regular check‑ins
* Support and guidance from the Maitland Social Work Site Senior
* Access to My Health Learning modules and internal training
* Opportunities for specialised education in Obstetrics, Paediatrics and Child Protection
* Encouragement to attend workshops, external seminars and conferences
* A supportive, collaborative team that values your contributions and is invested in your success
Additional Information
* To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
* An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full‑time and part‑time and temporary full‑time and part‑time vacancies.
* This position is full time; however, job share and/or part time arrangements will be considered.
* We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.
* At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact for confidential support to ensure an equitable, barrier‑free application process.
Key Responsibilities & Selection Criteria
* Demonstrated ability to independently problem‑solve and apply professional and ethical boundaries when working with complex situations as part of a multi‑disciplinary team.
* Demonstrated understanding of the principles of trauma‑informed care.
* Extensive experience in Social Work practice and demonstrated ability and understanding of child protection case management.
Need More Information?
1. Position Description
2. Finding out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Julianne Lozanovski on
Information for Applicants
Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description. For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help Indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.
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