Job Description
Prison Counsellor
Corrective Services
Salary: L2SC, $112,266 - $123,008 p.a. plus 12% superannuation (PSCA 2024)
Position number: Pool Ref 231996
Work type: Permanent - Part Time, Permanent - Full Time, Fixed Term - Full Time, Fixed Term - Part Time
Location: Various Regional Prisons
Closing date: 2026-08-12 4:30 PM (YYYY-MM-DD)
Applicant Information Pack
This process will run for a period of 12 months and suitable applicants may be offered permanent or fixed term positions as vacancies arise.
Currently, there are 3 permanent positions available for immediate filling at Greenough Regional Prison, Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison and West Kimberley Regional Prison.
Relocation supports available to Interstate, Intrastate, and New Zealand applicants.
Are you a Social Worker or Psychologist interested in utilising your clinical skills in a unique work environment?
Are you ready to work with people in custody to build their resilience, be psychologically healthier and future focused?
Join us as a Prison counsellor where you will be able to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and expertise to undertake clinical risk and psychological assessments and provide counselling, and at the same time make an impact on the lives of those held in custody.
If you are dedicated to making a meaningful difference and desire to possess a strong background in offender service management, we invite you to be a part of our mission to enhance public safety and support offender rehabilitation.
The Psychological Health Service is looking for counsellors to work with general adult prison population presenting with various mental health issues.
About Justice
When you join the Department of Justice, you become part of a people-focused organisation, working hard to make our community a fairer and safer place to live. We offer many different employment opportunities in locations around Western Australia. You will have a chance to make a real difference to your local communities and to the lives of those you work with.
About the role
Psychological Health Service (PHS) sits within the Justice Health and Wellbeing Service (JHWS) directorate. This role provides a great opportunity for suitably qualified psychologists and social workers to practice in a unique and dynamic environment.
The Psychological Health Service is responsible for undertaking clinical assessment and provide intervention to individuals held on remand in prison and to prisoners:
who are at acute risk of suicide or self-harm;
at chronic risk of suicide or self-harm or otherwise vulnerable within the prison system;
with mental health issues;
or having difficulties coping, adjusting to prison, or in transition to release.
The Prison Counsellor is responsible for applying discipline specific professional knowledge, experience, and skills to provide evidence based clinical assessment and intervention services in response to psychological health needs of prisoners. Prison Counsellors provide consultation and participate in multi-disciplinary risk management processes and case management meetings.
If appointed, there is scope to be transferred to metropolitan prison positions where you will provided with an opportunity to live and work in metropolitan WA knowing you will be professionally supported through clinical and line supervision, the state wide PHS team, and as a member of the prison staff.
Salaries are competitive and you will enjoy all WA Public Sector conditions of service.
Eligibility
Qualifications – successful applicants must have evidence of current registration by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) or Social Work tertiary qualifications consistent with AASW requirements prior to commencement; and either:
An accredited qualification in Psychology and registration with the Psychology Board of Australia; OR
A Tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligible for full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers or the Society of Professional Social Workers and a minimum of two (2) years supervised practice in counselling.
Permanent positions – To be eligible for appointment to permanent positions in the West Australian Public Sector you must be an Australian citizen or have permanent resident status in Australia.
Other requirements that apply to the position
Possession of a current WA motor vehicle driver’s license
Requirement for inter-state travel as from time to time
Benefits and opportunities
Flexible working arrangements
Career pathway opportunities
Learning and development opportunity programs
Eligibility for study leave
Relocation assistance/allowance available for eligible applicants relocating from Interstate or New Zealand
Housing assistance subsidies in specified regional locations
Additional Annual Leave and Annual Travel Concessions in specified regional locations
District Allowances in specified regional locations
In-house training and monthly clinical supervision
In-house Clinical supervision for those undertaking registrar, provisional registration and for Social Work mental health accreditation.
Check out the attached Applicant Information Pack to find out other benefits of working for Justice.
Application process
How to apply
Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for further information about the requirements of the position. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.
We require you to submit:
Provide a comprehensive Resume / Curriculum Vitae, that clearly outlines your transferable skills, experience and highlights your key achievements; AND
A statement no more than two (2) pages, addressing the following four Role Specific Criteria contained in the JDF. Please provide examples to support your claims.
Experience in a Counselling Role
Therapeutic Assessment and Intervention Skills
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Knowledge and experience working with diversity in client groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) populations.
Contact details of two work related referee.
Please note: Applications without the accompanying statement will be deemed as incomplete.
All remaining Role Specific Criteria will be assessed at a later stage in the recruitment process.
Open Pool Recruitment
This is an open-ended pool recruitment process which means there is no closing date for applications. We assess applications on a quarterly basis and suitable applicants to be selected to the pool as vacancies arise.
When selected to the pool, the selection is valid for a period of 12 months from the day after the breach of standard claim period closes. Permanent, fixed term, full time and part time appointments may be offered as vacancies arise, however an appointment is not guaranteed.
The Department of Justice uses recruitment pools to build a bank of talent for future opportunities. Applicants found suitable in this pool, may be considered for subsequent, similar vacancies, with the Department of Justice for the duration of the pool.
Equity and Diversity
The Department of Justice is committed in building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. We actively promote the employment of Aboriginal Australians, people with disability, youth, and other diversity groups. People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.
Aboriginal job seekers may contact the Aboriginal Workforce Development Team on aboriginalworkforcedevelopment@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 for culturally appropriate application advice.
Applicants with disability requiring adjustment or accessibility requirements at any stage of the selection process can contact the hiring manager as listed under the ‘Further Information’ section or contact WorkforceDiversity@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 for a confidential discussion.
For further job-related information
If you would like further information regarding the vacancy please contact Jabrulla Shukoor, Acting Psychological Health Service Manager on (08) 9334 6068 for a confidential discussion.
Submitting your application
Applicants are requested to apply online. To submit your application, click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this advertisement.
Please ensure you allow sufficient time to submit your application, and ensure you attach the relevant documentations. As noted above, applications without the accompanying statement which addresses the selection criteria will be deemed as incomplete.
If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone RAMS Helpdesk ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com on 1300XXXXXX for assistance.
To keep you up to date on what is happening in Department of Justice and job opportunities you can go directly to the departments website or follow us on social media.
The Department of Justice has introduced a smoke-free policy, which has been fully implemented across all women’s prisons and the Academy, with all other prison sites to follow over the next 12 to 18 months.
Corrective Services
Salary: L2SC, $112,266 - $123,008 p.a. plus 12% superannuation (PSCA 2024)
Position number: Pool Ref 231996
Work type: Permanent - Part Time, Permanent - Full Time, Fixed Term - Full Time, Fixed Term - Part Time
Location: Various Regional Prisons
Closing date: 2026-08-12 4:30 PM (YYYY-MM-DD)
Applicant Information Pack
This process will run for a period of 12 months and suitable applicants may be offered permanent or fixed term positions as vacancies arise.
Currently, there are 3 permanent positions available for immediate filling at Greenough Regional Prison, Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison and West Kimberley Regional Prison.
Relocation supports available to Interstate, Intrastate, and New Zealand applicants.
Are you a Social Worker or Psychologist interested in utilising your clinical skills in a unique work environment?
Are you ready to work with people in custody to build their resilience, be psychologically healthier and future focused?
Join us as a Prison counsellor where you will be able to demonstrate your skills, knowledge, and expertise to undertake clinical risk and psychological assessments and provide counselling, and at the same time make an impact on the lives of those held in custody.
If you are dedicated to making a meaningful difference and desire to possess a strong background in offender service management, we invite you to be a part of our mission to enhance public safety and support offender rehabilitation.
The Psychological Health Service is looking for counsellors to work with general adult prison population presenting with various mental health issues.
About Justice
When you join the Department of Justice, you become part of a people-focused organisation, working hard to make our community a fairer and safer place to live. We offer many different employment opportunities in locations around Western Australia. You will have a chance to make a real difference to your local communities and to the lives of those you work with.
About the role
Psychological Health Service (PHS) sits within the Justice Health and Wellbeing Service (JHWS) directorate. This role provides a great opportunity for suitably qualified psychologists and social workers to practice in a unique and dynamic environment.
The Psychological Health Service is responsible for undertaking clinical assessment and provide intervention to individuals held on remand in prison and to prisoners:
who are at acute risk of suicide or self-harm;
at chronic risk of suicide or self-harm or otherwise vulnerable within the prison system;
with mental health issues;
or having difficulties coping, adjusting to prison, or in transition to release.
The Prison Counsellor is responsible for applying discipline specific professional knowledge, experience, and skills to provide evidence based clinical assessment and intervention services in response to psychological health needs of prisoners. Prison Counsellors provide consultation and participate in multi-disciplinary risk management processes and case management meetings.
If appointed, there is scope to be transferred to metropolitan prison positions where you will provided with an opportunity to live and work in metropolitan WA knowing you will be professionally supported through clinical and line supervision, the state wide PHS team, and as a member of the prison staff.
Salaries are competitive and you will enjoy all WA Public Sector conditions of service.
Eligibility
Qualifications – successful applicants must have evidence of current registration by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) or Social Work tertiary qualifications consistent with AASW requirements prior to commencement; and either:
An accredited qualification in Psychology and registration with the Psychology Board of Australia; OR
A Tertiary qualification in Social Work and eligible for full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers or the Society of Professional Social Workers and a minimum of two (2) years supervised practice in counselling.
Permanent positions – To be eligible for appointment to permanent positions in the West Australian Public Sector you must be an Australian citizen or have permanent resident status in Australia.
Other requirements that apply to the position
Possession of a current WA motor vehicle driver’s license
Requirement for inter-state travel as from time to time
Benefits and opportunities
Flexible working arrangements
Career pathway opportunities
Learning and development opportunity programs
Eligibility for study leave
Relocation assistance/allowance available for eligible applicants relocating from Interstate or New Zealand
Housing assistance subsidies in specified regional locations
Additional Annual Leave and Annual Travel Concessions in specified regional locations
District Allowances in specified regional locations
In-house training and monthly clinical supervision
In-house Clinical supervision for those undertaking registrar, provisional registration and for Social Work mental health accreditation.
Check out the attached Applicant Information Pack to find out other benefits of working for Justice.
Application process
How to apply
Please ensure you review the attached Job Description Form (JDF) for further information about the requirements of the position. This information will assist you with the preparation of your application.
We require you to submit:
Provide a comprehensive Resume / Curriculum Vitae, that clearly outlines your transferable skills, experience and highlights your key achievements; AND
A statement no more than two (2) pages, addressing the following four Role Specific Criteria contained in the JDF. Please provide examples to support your claims.
Experience in a Counselling Role
Therapeutic Assessment and Intervention Skills
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Knowledge and experience working with diversity in client groups, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) and Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) populations.
Contact details of two work related referee.
Please note: Applications without the accompanying statement will be deemed as incomplete.
All remaining Role Specific Criteria will be assessed at a later stage in the recruitment process.
Open Pool Recruitment
This is an open-ended pool recruitment process which means there is no closing date for applications. We assess applications on a quarterly basis and suitable applicants to be selected to the pool as vacancies arise.
When selected to the pool, the selection is valid for a period of 12 months from the day after the breach of standard claim period closes. Permanent, fixed term, full time and part time appointments may be offered as vacancies arise, however an appointment is not guaranteed.
The Department of Justice uses recruitment pools to build a bank of talent for future opportunities. Applicants found suitable in this pool, may be considered for subsequent, similar vacancies, with the Department of Justice for the duration of the pool.
Equity and Diversity
The Department of Justice is committed in building a workplace culture that values diversity and inclusion. We actively promote the employment of Aboriginal Australians, people with disability, youth, and other diversity groups. People with disability will be provided with reasonable adjustments in our recruitment processes and in the workplace.
Aboriginal job seekers may contact the Aboriginal Workforce Development Team on aboriginalworkforcedevelopment@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 for culturally appropriate application advice.
Applicants with disability requiring adjustment or accessibility requirements at any stage of the selection process can contact the hiring manager as listed under the ‘Further Information’ section or contact WorkforceDiversity@justice.wa.gov.au or call (08) 9264 1700 for a confidential discussion.
For further job-related information
If you would like further information regarding the vacancy please contact Jabrulla Shukoor, Acting Psychological Health Service Manager on (08) 9334 6068 for a confidential discussion.
Submitting your application
Applicants are requested to apply online. To submit your application, click the “Apply for Job” button at the bottom of this advertisement.
Please ensure you allow sufficient time to submit your application, and ensure you attach the relevant documentations. As noted above, applications without the accompanying statement which addresses the selection criteria will be deemed as incomplete.
If you are having difficulty submitting your online application, please telephone RAMS Helpdesk ramshelpdesk@bigredsky.com on 1300XXXXXX for assistance.
To keep you up to date on what is happening in Department of Justice and job opportunities you can go directly to the departments website or follow us on social media.
The Department of Justice has introduced a smoke-free policy, which has been fully implemented across all women’s prisons and the Academy, with all other prison sites to follow over the next 12 to 18 months.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Prison Counsellor position is now open for candidates interested in the Health Jobs sector. This role in Amery offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Health Jobs is a plus.
