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Mental health practitioners in secondary and specialist schools

Victorian government secondary and specialist schools are now recruiting mental health practitioners.

Who can apply

Mental health practitioners must be qualified:

  • Occupational therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Social workers
  • Nurses with a specialisation in mental health
  • Counsellors of a prescribed class

Occupational therapists, psychologists and nurses must hold full Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA) registration.

Social workers must be eligible for Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) membership.

Counsellors must have completed a Bachelor of Counselling or a Master of Counselling and be a practising/fully qualified member of either the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

Role of the mental health practitioner

Mental health practitioner roles are school based. Practitioners work flexibly based on the needs of the school.

The role includes:

  • mental health prevention and promotion
  • short term support for students including direct counselling
  • coordinating supports with other services for students with complex needs.

Schools can also use advice and resources in the Schools Mental Health toolkit to support student mental health and wellbeing.

Recruitment

Schools receive funds to employ a mental health practitioner.

Area-based mental health coordinators support schools with practitioner recruitment and induction such as:

  • Guidance on the role of mental health practitioners and the expertise they can bring
  • Supporting schools with recruitment difficulties. For example, schools in rural areas and schools with low enrolment numbers.
  • Coordinating professional development and networking for practitioners.

About the positions

Mental health practitioner positions offer:

  • meaningful work that has a positive impact on student outcomes and their lives
  • job security and flexibility, with part-time options available
  • work life balance, with paid school holidays
  • access to a range of professional development supports.

How to apply

Search for advertised roles and apply through these jobs portals.

Recruitment Online

Careers.Vic

Case studies

Updated