Senior Counsellor at RMIT University

Melbourne, Victoria, Australia -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

21 May, 26

Salary

0.0

Posted On

20 Feb, 26

Experience

5 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Clinical Expertise, Risk Assessments, Safety Plans, Therapeutic Support, Stepped-Care Interventions, E-therapy, Group Facilitation, Workshop Facilitation, Digital Content Development, High-Risk Client Management, Communication, Interpersonal Skills, Liaison, Influencing Skills, Quality Assurance, Continuous Improvement

Industry

Education Management

Description

Overview: Fixed-term position until Mid-April 2027 Full Time Multiple Positions Salary Level HEW 8 + 17% Superannuation Based at the Melbourne CBD campus, and hybrid ways of working About the role Are you passionate about student mental health and wellbeing? Join RMIT’s dynamic Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) team and make a meaningful impact on the lives of our diverse student community. As a Senior Counsellor, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, short-term 1-1 therapeutic support to currently enrolled students. This role requires a high level of independence and clinical expertise. You will have a caseload of students, conduct risk assessments, develop safety plans, and collaborate with both internal and external services to ensure students receive the most appropriate care, including escalating to CATT as necessary. This role is part of a multidisciplinary team and collaborates closely with internal and external stakeholders, fostering strong relationships to enhance student mental health outcomes across the University. To be successful in this position, you will have: Demonstrated high-level competency in brief, outcome-focussed therapeutic approaches, including strong assessment, intervention, referral, and client outcome evaluation skills. Ability to provide stepped‑care interventions including expert‑assisted e‑therapy, facilitation of evidence‑based groups and workshops, and the development of digital on‑demand wellbeing content, while contributing to the ongoing design and continuous improvement of CAPS’ stepped‑care pathways and digital service offerings. Demonstrated ability to work with high-risk clients, assessing and treating complex mental health issues, and managing challenging situations with knowledge, sensitivity, and judgment. Demonstrated empathy for, and understanding of, the psychosocial issues and concerns experienced and demonstrated by students undertaking university level studies. High-level communication and interpersonal skills, including liaison and influencing skills to work collaboratively, flexibly, and productively within and across teams to provide advice on student mental health issues and service to students. Demonstrated highly developed service skills, strong commitment to quality assurance, continuous improvement, and effective use of technology for service provision and record keeping. Demonstrated willingness and ability to adapt readily to change, embrace new work practices, including software and digital technology changes, and stay updated with advancements in their professional field and the post-secondary education context. Ability to collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels including internal (e.g., ELS, Safer Communities, academics, executive, etc.) and external (e.g., crisis mental health services, police, GPs, etc.). Qualifications: A combination of relevant experience and postgraduate qualification in Psychology, Social Work, or Occupational Therapy. Registration with your relevant governing body. Please note: Only applicants with qualifications in Psychology, Social Work, or Occupational Therapy as outlined above will be considered. Applicants with a Master of Counselling (or equivalent counselling‑specific qualifications) are not eligible for this position. Desirable: For psychologists, an Area of Practice Endorsement, and PBA supervisor registration. For social workers, the AASW Supervisors Credential or an equivalent demonstration of supervisory skills. Relevant experience in a university setting Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check. About the Group The Students Group shapes, designs and delivers key student services and experiences to prepare RMIT students for study, life and the global workforce. We work in partnership with students, academics, professional staff, industry and the community to deliver transformative student experiences that improve access, participation, retention and success for all RMIT students. Our objectives are to: Shape, co-create and inform an inclusive, safe, industry-engaged and global student experience Deliver impactful, connected service, care and development opportunities at scale, and to Engage, empower and value each other so that together we can make a difference. We welcome a diversity of perspectives and are inclusive in our approach to work. We are aligned in our passion for having a collective and positive impact on the student experience at RMIT. Our team is comprised of talented and motivated people from a range of professional disciplines and backgrounds, at various stages of their careers and including RMIT students. We are a values-led organisation, and we value imagination, agility, passion, inclusion, courage and impact. To Apply Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing your suitability for this position by clicking on the ‘Apply’ link at the top of this page. For further information about this position, please see the Position Description hyperlinked below or contact Elizabeth Matjacic via email elizabeth.matjacic@rmit.edu.au Please do not send your application to this contact. Position Description – Senior Counsellor Please note, if you are viewing this advert from an external site, please click ‘apply’ and you will be redirected to RMIT's Jobs website to access the Position Description at the bottom of the page. #Li-Hybrid Applications Close: 9 Mar 2026 11.59 pm RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community, and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community. In line with RMIT University’s commitment to a safe, respectful and inclusive environment, from 1 January 2026, the University will also consider gender-based violence (GBV) risk factors as part of our recruitment processes. All applicants will be required to complete a gender‑based violence declaration in accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence. Preferred candidates will also be required to undertake relevant pre‑employment background checks, including Working With Children Checks. Information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for its relevance to the role and RMIT’s safety obligations. At RMIT, we are committed to supporting adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, as well as during employment. We actively support and encourage people with disability to apply to RMIT (including alternate formats of application forms). To discuss adjustment requirements, please contact Dani, via talentsupport@rmit.edu.au or visit our Careers page for more contact information - https://www.rmit.edu.au/careers. We are a Circle Back Initiative Employer – we commit to respond to every applicant. Culture Our Values inspire us, wherever we are in the world, and guide how we live and work together. Imagination. Integrity. Courage. Passion. Impact. Inclusion. What unites us is our purpose and our values; they are at the heart of who we are, what we stand for, how we make decisions and connect with each other. Our people make everything at the University possible. We encourage new approaches to work and learning, stimulating change to drive positive impact. RMIT exists to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them ready for life and work. You will be a part of a productive and collaborative team, who values working relationships and outcomes through open and inclusive planning, continuous information sharing and transparent work practices. Find out what makes RMIT a great place to work

Responsibilities

The Senior Counsellor will deliver high-quality, short-term 1-on-1 therapeutic support to enrolled students, managing a caseload, conducting risk assessments, and developing safety plans. This role involves collaborating with internal and external services to ensure appropriate care pathways are followed for students.