Relief Counsellor and Mental Health Advisor

• Full-time, 12-month Fixed-Term position at HEW Level 8.
• Campbelltown campus with flexible working arrangements.
• Salary: $118,969 – $132,069 per annum, plus 17% Super and Leave Loading.

Make a meaningful difference by supporting students through life's challenges with expert, compassionate mental health care.


The Opportunity
Every student deserves the opportunity to succeed, even when life becomes challenging. As a Relief Counsellor / Mental Health Advisor, you'll play a vital role in helping students navigate personal, psychological and academic challenges so they can remain engaged in their studies and achieve their goals. Working within our Counselling and Wellbeing Services team, you'll provide evidence-based, trauma-informed support that genuinely changes lives.

This diverse role combines therapeutic counselling with specialist mental health advisory work. You'll provide clinical assessment, counselling, case management and crisis intervention for students experiencing a broad range of mental health and wellbeing concerns. You'll also act as a trusted advisor across the University, supporting staff with complex student matters, undertaking risk assessments, participating in critical incident responses, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate safe and effective outcomes.

Beyond individual support, you'll help shape a healthier university community. You'll contribute to prevention and education initiatives, strengthen partnerships with internal and external services, and support continuous improvement across Counselling and Wellbeing Services. If you're passionate about student wellbeing, enjoy working collaboratively and thrive in a varied, purpose-driven environment, we'd love to hear from you.

What Success Looks Like:

• Deliver high-quality clinical assessment, counselling and case management that supports positive student outcomes.
• Respond confidently to complex mental health presentations through risk assessment, crisis intervention and coordinated care planning.
• Build trusted relationships with students, colleagues and external providers to deliver holistic, student-centred support.
• Design and deliver mental health promotion, education and prevention initiatives that strengthen wellbeing across the University.
• Maintain high clinical, ethical and professional standards through accurate documentation, governance and evidence-informed practice.

Please refer to the Position Description for full details.

About You
You are an experienced mental health professional who combines strong clinical expertise with genuine compassion. You enjoy working collaboratively, remain calm in complex situations and are committed to helping students overcome barriers to success.

You'll also bring:

• A degree in Psychology or Social Work with current AHPRA registration or AASW membership.
• A minimum of five years' experience delivering direct counselling services in an organisational setting.
• Demonstrated experience providing clinical assessment, complex case management, risk assessment and trauma-informed support for individuals experiencing mental health and psychosocial concerns.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across multidisciplinary teams and engage confidently with a diverse student population.
• A commitment to culturally safe, inclusive and student-centred practice, along with experience developing wellbeing initiatives or mental health education programs.

Benefits
We invest in the people who make our mission possible. Alongside a rewarding career, we offer a range of benefits designed to support your financial, personal and family wellbeing.

• Financial benefits: Access to staff-only products and offers with selected banking partners, salary sacrifice options for onsite parking, and novated motor vehicle leasing.
• Health and wellbeing support: Free Employee Assistance Program (EAP), complimentary annual flu vaccination, eligibility for Fitness Passport membership, and access to discounted private health cover.
• Onsite childcare: Long day care and early learning services operate at our Campbelltown, Hawkesbury, Parramatta, and Penrith campuses. Staff may be eligible for discounted fees and salary packaging, with places subject to centre capacity.

Application Details

• Position Enquiries: Direct to Rhiannon Grime, Manager, Counselling Service via r.grime@westernsydney.edu.au. Please include the job reference code REF1614F.
• Closing Date: 11:59pm, Monday 27 July 2026.
• Working Rights: You must provide evidence of full-time working rights in Australia at application.
• Checks: Appointment to this position is subject to a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC) for paid employment.
• How to Apply: Please note that only applications submitted via the University’s online recruitment system will be considered. As part of your online application, you will be asked to respond to screening questions addressing the key qualifications, experiences and skills required for this position.

Belonging at Western
We are committed to substantive equality as outlined in our Equal Opportunity Policy. We actively encourage applications from Indigenous Australians, candidates of all gender identities and expressions, people of all abilities, and those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

For Reasonable Adjustments during the application process, please contact talentacquisitionteam@westernsydney.edu.au.

About Western
This is your opportunity to be part of something bigger. By joining Western Sydney University, you become a valued member of our community. As our region changes, so too does our university. Western is boldly different, energetic, global, diverse, dynamic, and youthful.

Our mission is to deliver student success, impactful research, and stronger communities. As part of our team, you will have a stake in shaping the future of education, broadening horizons, and changing lives. Making a difference starts at Western.

For the latest please visit our website and LinkedIn.