JOB DESCRIPTION
Do you have a strong desire and enthusiastic interest to being an integral part of delivering a culturally responsive support service to Australia's First Nations people in your local community - particularly those who may be involved in the Youth Justice system and who may present with complex trauma and/or suspected neurodevelopment disabilities?
Have you completed your fifth year of study in psychology (e.g. Master of Professional Psychology) and are currently undertaking your final, sixth year (+1 internship pathway), toward general registration with AHPRA?
Do you have a compassionate heart for the wellbeing of First Nations young people and an empathetic attitude to supporting them? Do you have a genuine desire to help First Nations young people, and their families to obtain the professional assessment, advice and guidance that they may need to manage or treat their mental health, behavioural, and emotional disorders?
ABOUT THE EMPLOYER
Silver Lining Foundation Australia Ltd (SLFA) has an exciting opportunity for an individual to join our team as a Provisional Psychologist in our Neuro Ability Support Service (NASS) Program, Cairns, Qld. Our NASS Program works with Australia's First Nations young people, generally aged between 10-17 years, who are primarily involved with the Cairns Youth Justice Service Centre, and have suspected or diagnosed neurodevelopmental disabilities.
SLFA is a growing charity whose objective is to provide benevolent relief to First Nations Australians, namely Indigenous young people. SLFA has multiple programs based in Queensland that provide culturally appropriate services catering to the diverse needs of disenfranchised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The NASS Program, with the support of Department of Youth Justice Qld, aims to connect, and ensure an ongoing connection for Indigenous young people who are diagnosed with a neurodevelopment disability - such as, but not limited to - intellectual disabilities, ASD, FASD, acquired brain injury and ADHD, to appropriate support services so that their disability needs can be met.
THE ROLE
The role provides an opportunity for structured development towards general registration as a psychologist for individuals who have completed their fifth year of study in psychology (e.g. Master of Professional Psychology) and who are undertaking their final, sixth year (+1 internship pathway), toward general registration with AHPRA.
The successful applicant will be someone that is dedicated and passionate about transforming the lives of our Indigenous young people - predominantly those in the Youth Justice system, and their families, by connecting them with appropriate health and mental health services (including diagnostic services) to address their disability needs, particularly those disability needs that may contribute their risk of reoffending.
Working collaboratively as part of a small team, the Provisional Psychologist will work alongside and be supported by an AHPRA Board Approved Clinical Supervisor employed by SLFA, and other SLFA staff.
Hours of work will generally be Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, with flexible delivery of consultation and assessments, including the option for evening and weekend consultations.
Summary of Duties
* Engage in structured psychological assessments under observation and with guidance (e.g. WISC, WIAT, ADOS), supporting the diagnostic process.
* Contribute to intake processes, case formulation, and treatment planning in collaboration with the supervising Psychologist.
* Support referral pathways for young people to appropriate health, disability, and mental health services.
* Maintain accurate and professional case notes, reports, and client records in accordance with SLFA, Youth Justice, and AHPRA requirements.
* Attend and contribute to case meetings, staff meetings, and supervision sessions.
* Work closely with other NASS staff to identify and report any safety, wellbeing or behavioural concerns.
* Build rapport with young people and families while maintaining professional boundaries and modelling culturally safe and trauma-informed practice.
* Participate in service delivery that promotes cultural, social, and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth.
* Undertake tasks assigned by the SLFA Executive Officer, Clinical Psychologist or other leadership staff as part of professional development and service delivery.
* Participate in administrative duties as required or instructed and SLFA events and activities as required.
* Ensure all professional practice aligns with AHPRA's Provisional Registration Guidelines, including completion of core competencies, professional development hours, and ethical standards.
Supervision & Training Requirements:
* Participate in individual and/or group supervision as required by AHPRA guidelines (minimum 1 hour per week).
* Maintain a logbook of supervision, practice hours, competencies, and professional development in accordance with AHPRA's guidelines.
* Be observed and assessed by the Clinical Supervisor regularly to ensure development of competencies in assessment, intervention, ethics, and cultural responsiveness.
* Accept and integrate feedback into practice and demonstrate continuous professional growth.
Key Skills & Experience:
* Experience: Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, adolescents and families. A developing understanding of psychological assessment, diagnosis, and formulation, with a willingness to continue learning new skills and adjust practice to align with latest research.
* Teamwork: Ability to contribute to the effective operation of a team and work collaboratively with others to fulfil objectives and achieve goals and strategic plans.
* Communication: Proficient interpersonal, oral and listening skills, including the ability to communicate messages and concepts clearly and concisely, and competent writing skills involving written documentation, case notes and professional correspondence.
* Interpersonal Impact: High standards of professional behaviour and demonstrated ability to make a positive impression on others in a range of interpersonal contexts. Demonstrates empathy, emotional understanding and support while maintaining professional relationships.
* Relationship management: Strong ability to engage in and foster quality relationships with young people, staff, parents/carers and other key stakeholders and ability to maintain effective and professional working relationships.
* Trauma-Informed Approach: Understanding of or willingness to learn how adverse childhood experiences and trauma can affect young people, and ability to develop appropriate responses and plans. Commitment to ethical practice, cultural safety, and trauma-informed care.
* ICT Proficiency: Proficient in using ICT tools, including Microsoft 365 applications (Outlook, Word, Excel), for administration tasks, record keeping and communication.
* Achieve Results: Self-motivated, organised and ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritise work demands and meet deadlines in a diverse environment. Capacity to work both independently and within a team under appropriate supervision. Motivation to learn, accept feedback, and develop clinical competence across a range of psychological domains.
* Health and Safety Compliance: Understands and ability to follow health and safety standards and guidelines, with the ability to plan, monitor, and address issues in accordance with policy.
QUALIFICAITONS
At a minimum, you must have a:
* Completion of an accredited 5th year psychology qualification (e.g., Master of Professional Psychology).
* Current registration as a Provisional Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia;
AND
* Class Code C (Car) and Type Code O or P2 (Open or Provisional 2) Driver Licence;
AND
* Blue Cards - Working with Children:
* The successful candidate will require a paid Blue Card before commencement as per the No Card, No Start policy developed by Queensland Government.
* If you are a 'Restricted Person' for the purposes of a working with children Blue Card, you are not eligible to apply for this position. It is an offence for a restricted person to commence or continue working with children if they are a 'restricted person'.
* If you do not have a Blue Card, and you are not a restricted person and are eligible to hold a Blue Card, please apply for one via Blue Card Services before you apply for this position. You must have a valid Blue Card for your application to proceed.
Working with Children - Statement of Commitment
SLFA supports the rights of its young people and is committed to taking all reasonable steps to provide them with a safe and supportive environment and promote their safety and wellbeing, and protection from foreseeable harm. In order to give practical effect to SLFA's commitment, SLFA will act in accordance with its legal obligations under the Working with Children (Risk Management and Screening) Act 2000 (Qld) ('the Act') SLFA aims to eliminate and minimise risk to the safety of its young people and ensure the safety and wellbeing of its young people by implementing employment risk management strategies, practices and procedures to promote the wellbeing of its young people and to protect them from harm.
START DATE
* As soon as possible.
Applications must include:
1. Cover Letter: explaining your reason/s for applying, and why you would be suited to this role.
2. Current CV / Resume: including at least two professional referees (referees will be contacted following an interview).
Applications Close: Friday 14th November 2025.
Note: Please submit your application through SEEK.