Social Worker - Early Careers Program (Melbourne)

Reference Number:53695:Social Worker
- Early Careers Program Employment Type:Fixed Term Full Time (FT) Location:Northern Health (All Campuses) About Northern Health: As an organisation we have a clear focus on how we service and partner with our community, including our strategy of helping the community stay well when at home. Our reputation of community minded, inclusive and progressive is matched to none. Northern Health is located in the rapidly growing northern suburbs with projected growth the biggest in the state. With a booming, culturally rich and diverse community, and less than an hour’s drive from the CBD (still within the bounds of Myki and ride-sharing), Melbourne’s North is fast becoming the place to be. Position available now for the 2026 Social Work Graduate Intake
- Grade 1 Northern Health is the major provider of acute, maternity, sub-acute, mental health, specialist, community and home-based services in Melbourne’s rapidly growing outer north. Services are provided through our six main campuses: Northern Hospital Epping, Broadmeadows Hospital, Bundoora Centre, Craigieburn and Mernda Community Hospitals Centres and Kilmore District Hospital. In addition, Mental Health Services are provided at Epping, Broadmeadows, Jacana, Preston, Mill Park, Mernda and Coburg. About the Program: Northern Health Mental Health Division and the Allied Health Early Careers Program is pleased to be offering a Social Work graduate role available for commencement in early 2026. Our mental health program has an unmatched 20 years of experience in providing supported learning positions to current and recent Social Work graduates. Northern Health offers a comprehensive two-year program that supports graduates to build and develop their Social Work skills and knowledge. We do this by offering you the opportunities you need to develop your confidence and clinical skill set. Our program aims to produce a highly skilled and capable mental health workforce of the future – one who will be part of the new mental health service system, providing evidence-based, person-centred, recovery-focused and family inclusive care to our consumers and their families and supporters. The Early Careers Program comprises:
- A two-year program offering two x 12-month clinical rotations designed to maximise your learning opportunities across two different mental health service settings (community teams and bed-based services).
- A comprehensive orientation program.
- Weekly
- fortnightly social work supervision and monthly facilitated peer support sessions.
- 1:1 support from a social work clinical educator
- Monthly professional development days tailored to the needs of early career allied health clinicians.
- A peer network of graduate mental health social workers and occupational therapists across Northern Health.
- Support in identifying career pathways following completion of the two-year program.
- Full-time working hours with a monthly ADO.
- Generous salary packaging and employee benefits.
- Position classifications may range from Social Worker Grade 1, Year 2 to Year 4 (YC35 – YC 38) depending on experience and qualification. We are looking for:
- Recent graduates and graduates who will be completing their Bachelor or Masters level qualification in Social Work prior to January 2026, with associated eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
- Qualified social workers with less than two years’ experience as a qualified social worker, are also welcome to apply.
- A passion for building a career in mental health and an eagerness to make the most of the structured learning opportunities on offer.
- Applicants who hold a full driver’s licence.
- The ability to commence employment no later than the end of July 2026. Your prospective current team: Successful candidates will be offered their first rotation at the programs/locations below. Additional details regarding specific rotation information regarding particular team settings is available via the position description.
- Adult Psychiatric Unit, (Women Only) Ward 7, Northern Hospital Details of the second-year rotations on offer will be made available end of 2026. Next Steps . . . If this opportunity sounds like your next career move, then we would love to hear from you. Please click on the 'Apply ' button and follow the prompts. For further information, please refer to the Position Description. For further enquiries, please contact:
- Justine Solomano, Social Work Clinical Educator
- Birat Sharma, Social Work Professional Lead via Applications close Monday 15 June 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications ASAP as the position may close before the end date. Why work at the Northern Health? NH offer a range of benefits which support and reward staff both personally and professionally. Our staff benefits include award winning facilities and campus partnerships, Professional development and events, an award-winning Health and wellbeing program and financial benefits.
- Health and Wellbeing programs, including our new ‘Thrive’ program
- Flexibility in the workplace and extra leave options and support
- An inclusive and culturally safe space
- Access to salary packaging & EAP
- Comprehensive Library services for learning, research, clinical decision-making, leisure and wellbeing (onsite and online) Work with us! Northern Health is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce which reflects the community we serve. Applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, as well as applicants who are LGBTIQ+, who have different abilities, or are from culturally and Linguistically Diverse Backgrounds are encouraged. Apply on Kit Job: kitjobau.com/job/3qdyul