Posted: 05/01/2026
Closing Date: 27/01/2026
Job Type: Temporary
Location: Aberdeen
Job Category: Health, Medical & Pharmaceutical
Catholic Schools is currently inviting applications for a Temporary School Counsellor/Psychologist to support students in the Upper Hunter region, specifically in Muswellbrook and Aberdeen from March - December 2026.
This flexible opportunity offers negotiable working days for the ideal candidate, with the potential to structure the role as either one 0.8 FTE position (4 days per week) or two 0.4 FTE positions (2 days per week each). (Please specify which FTE arrangement you are applying for in your application.)
For more than 180 years, Catholic schools in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle have offered families a nurturing, encouraging, and safe environment for their children to learn, achieve, and grow from Kindergarten to Year 12. We are committed to ensuring every child is nurtured and supported to achieve their potential.
Every school has access to a School Counsellor who works as part of the school team to address barriers to learning for children and young people. School Counsellors are employed by the Catholic Schools Office and allocated to schools within the Diocese.
Job Description
The role of School Counsellor / School Psychologist aims to assist school communities to support students in achieving educational success and social-emotional wellbeing by:
* working collaboratively with students, school staff, families, and communities to enable students to reach both educational and social-emotional outcomes through proactive and reactive strategies
* providing expertise in mental health, child development, and education and learning
* providing consultation, assessment, and intervention that assist school communities to support students to achieve academic success, psychological health and social and emotional well-being and respond to the educational and wellbeing needs of their students:
* individual assessments
* personal counselling
* behaviour management interventions
* consultation
* professional development for teachers and parents
All School Counsellors / School Psychologists will be supported with ongoing professional learning and networking opportunities to improve their knowledge and professional capacity. Professional Practice and Development processes for the role of School Counsellor / School Psychologist will be established in consultation with the Coordinator: Counselling Team. These will include feedback mechanisms from Principals and relevant CSO and school staff.
Desired Skills and Experience
EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA
* Eligible for employment with the Catholic Schools Office Maitland Newcastle
* Experience in assessment of psychological & educational needs and provision of evidence-based counselling interventions for school aged students
* Experience in providing expert advice to schools on mental health, child & adolescent development, education, and learning
* Respect for the mission of Catholic schooling in the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle
* Demonstrated ability to build collaborative, respectful and productive relationships with key school and community partners
* Demonstrated knowledge of local community agencies including referral pathways
* Excellent organisational, communication and IT skills,
* Previous experience of working within a school setting (Desirable)
QUALIFICATIONS
* Minimum 4-year degree in psychology, social work or counselling. Psychologists must be registered with AHPRA.
* Current drivers' licence
* Current Working with Children's Check (WWCC) clearance
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
Salary is in accordance with Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle Employees Enterprise Agreement 2024.
BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH US
* Work in quality schools where students are nurtured, challenged and encouraged to excel and grow
* A corporate fitness program through Fitness Passport
* Employee assistance program (EAP)
* Training and staff development programs
* Paid parental leave for eligible employees
* Access to long service leave after just five years for eligible employees.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
Contact Vanessa Petersen, Leader, School Counselling on
TO APPLY
* Please provide a cover letter along with your resume
* Within your cover letter address each of the selection criteria as listedunder EXPERIENCE/CRITERIA above and ensure your response to each criteria is no longer than 300 words.
Please note, not adequately addressing the selection criteria may result in your application not being shortlisted.
Applications for this position will only be considered if submitted through the following platforms: our careers page on our website, mnpeople, Indeed, Seek, or LinkedIn.
Applications close: Tuesday 27th January 2026 at 11.59pm
Additional information
The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is a child safe organisation, committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable persons and has zero-tolerance of any abuse. All employees are required to undergo a National Police Check and comply with our Safeguarding Framework Policy and Codes of Conduct.
This position has been determined as child related and the Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle will be verifying the successful applicant's Working with Children Check for Paid Employment prior to commencing working in the position. For more information, please visit the NSW Office of Children's Guardian.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate behaviours when engaging with children