Social Worker - Grade 1 (ELP)
- Location: Sunshine Hospital
- Employment Type: Full-Time, Fixed Term (until January 2028)
- Salary: MH SW Grade 1 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging
About the Role:
Western Health is seeking a highly motivated and dynamic Grade 1 Social Worker to join our Allied Health Mental Health & Wellbeing Graduate Program on a full-time, fixed term 24-month basis.
Grade One Social Workers work directly with consumers and their family, carers and supporters to provide evidence-based discipline specific assessment and interventions and contribute to the multi-disciplinary team to ensure excellent care and support of consumers. This role works closely with the peer workforce and other disciplines in supporting needs of consumers and their supporters.
Our Graduate Program offers direct clinical experience, education and training with monthly seminars, group and individual supervision, with a strong focus on self-care, wellbeing and support from a team of enthusiastic Allied Health Clinical Educators.
About You:
- Demonstrate a genuine interest in developing a career in the public mental health sector.
- Demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development.
- Have well-developed interpersonal skills, both written and verbal.
- Have the capacity to build a therapeutic alliance with consumers and their families/carers, maximising participation in collaborative recovery and wellness planning.
- Work collaboratively with other members of the multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality, evidence-based interventions that support consumers with complex mental health needs.
- Provide psychosocial assessments and targeted interventions to support both consumers and their families.
- Have an approved degree from a recognised school of Social Work or other qualifications approved for eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers.
- Be a recent Social Work graduate or an early career social worker with less than two years of postgraduate experience.
- Hold a current driver’s licence.
Please ensure your application includes both a resume (not more than 2 pages) and cover letter (not more than 1 page).
About Western Health
Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.
We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.
We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.
Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall.
Why join us?
Compensation and benefits
- Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
- Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
- Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.
Learning and development opportunities
- Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
- Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
- Mentorship and career support.
Community impact and inclusion
- Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
- Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
- Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.
Organisational culture and environment
- Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
- Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.
Ready to make an impact?
Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts.
If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.
Closing date: 11:59pm on 12 January 2026
Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact:
Name: Loren Urzia
Title: Allied Health Mental Health Education Lead
Phone: 0400 748 925
Alternate Contact: Ebony Canavan
Title: Social Work Chief
Phone: 0434 787 105
Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.
All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).
Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.