Position: Intake - Counsellor Advocate
Location: Based in Morwell at the Multidisciplinary Centre
Classification: Health and Professional Services Award
Position Fraction: Full Time (On going)
Applications Close: 24th October 2025
APPLICATION INFORMATION
* Application must include statements addressing each of the key selection criteria listed on the advertisement. This is most important, as consideration for interview will be based on whether the essential requirements of the position are addressed within your application.
* Applications should include a current resume with three referees' names and contact details.
* GCASA is culturally inclusive and welcomes applications from diverse cultures including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
* GCASA adheres to the Child Safe Standards and principles with a commitment to the safety, wellbeing, creating and maintaining an environment that promotes the safety of all children and young people and adults.
About GCASA:
Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault (GCASA) provides comprehensive sexual assault support and treatment services across Gippsland. Culturally inclusive, GCASA supports diverse communities and operates within a framework protecting rights and dignity. Services include counselling, information, resources, group work, and professional training.
Position Objective:
To provide timely and effective crisis intervention to people who have been sexually assaulted within the past two weeks and who present within the Inner Gippsland.
To provide relevant information to assist the person who has experienced sexual assault in making informed decisions and where appropriate to advocate on their behalf.
To provide a trauma informed face to face crisis response to people who have experienced a recent incident of family violence and their children.
To provide appropriate support and assistance to people who have experienced family violence and their children including MARAM risk assessment, safety planning and the provision of information, material aid and referrals.
To comply with information sharing requirements as directed by the CEO/ Director Therapeutic Services, Manager Therapeutic Services – SASS and Senior Clinician Crisis Care
Position responsibilities:
The Intake Counsellor Advocate role has specific responsibilities coordinating the interface with clients, referrers and the community working within an Intake Team. The Intake Counsellor Advocate will be supervised by the Senior Clinician – Intake.
The specific responsibilities are:
* Working within an Intake team to consider client eligibility, assessment of risk and prioritisation pertaining to referrals and short/ medium term therapeutic interventions to support the safety, stabilisation, and wellbeing of GCASA's clients entering our service.
* Responding to client (self-referral), community referrals and stakeholder referrals including SOCIT, Child Protection, The Orange Door, and allied services, including GP's, schools, and families.
* Responding to Crisis Care referrals by providing psychological support, and assessment of needs within the crisis care timelines.
* Conducting initial risk assessment and ongoing risk management in accordance with MARAM framework.
* Conducting initial assessments, case formulations, intervention planning and review.
* Undertaking brief, time limited interventions as appropriate, with clients, in the context of the Intake phase of service.
* Undertaking short term care coordination with a focus on safety and stability
* Providing secondary consultation to referring parties such as Child Protection.
* Advocating on behalf of clients as appropriate
* Maintain accurate and confidential client files, accurate and up to date statistical records and other records as required that meet legal, ethical, and organisational requirements.
* Participate in Clinical Client Supervision and line Management supervision in accordance with GCASA's Supervision Policy.
* Participate in planning for the Agency's work by participating in team meetings, service reviews and service evaluations and ongoing professional development.
* Maintain up to date knowledge, understanding, and sustain the development of professional skills in issues relating to sexual assault and counselling practice including, but not limited to, trauma, attachment, neurobiology, feminist theory, and practical application of the principles of social inclusion.
Key Selection Criteria:
Please note: all applications require a written response to the key selection criteria in order to be considered. You will need to show understanding of each requirement and how you align to each requirement with your experience and qualifications.
1. Degree level qualification or equivalent certification from a nationally accredited provider in the area of social welfare, counselling, social work, family therapy, psychology, creative arts therapies, or community mental health nursing.
2. A minimum of 2 years recent counselling experience working with children, young people, and adults within a therapeutic setting, providing short to medium term trauma informed intervention. A Graduate program is offered to early career counsellors.
3. Knowledge related to the incidence and impact of sexual assault, as well as an understanding of the dynamics that support the occurrence of sexual assault, including feminist empowerment philosophy and social inclusion theory.
4. Well-developed organisational skills including time management and ability to multi-task, broad computer/IT skills, high level communication skills using data systems that support client management and record keeping.
5. Knowledge of the legislative requirements governing the collection and storage of personal information; client confidentiality and the protection of children/young people through mandatory reporting.
6. Demonstrated experience in Assessment and ability to respond to client needs and distress as first entry point to service.
Other Mandatory Requirements:
Pre-Employment Checks & Disclosures
Gippsland Centre against Sexual Assault is committed to ensuring that all staff have the required skills and qualifications to conduct the work which they are employed to undertake.
GCASA will ensure that staff are appropriately credentialed and have a defined scope of practice. Staff must provide the following original documentation, or a certified copy, prior to appointment. All staff are required to maintain their registration and credentialing requirements for the period of their employment.
The successful applicant will:
* Be willing if required to travel across the region and to Melbourne as negotiated for training and development
* hold a current Victorian driver's licence
* Hold a current Working with Children's check
* Provide a current National Crim Check
* Undertake a DFFH Statutory Declaration relating any CP intervention, IVO and court pending.
* Will work Wednesdays to participate in agency meetings
To get the full Job Description, please email to How to Apply
To apply, submit via SEEK your:
1. Resume (including three referees).
2. Cover letter addressing the key selection criteria listed above.
or Email to with your application, cover letter & the Key Selection Criteria.
For queries, contact Nipuni Jayathilake on or Email