School General Maintenance

Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) is one of Australia’s largest autism-specific service providers, with one of the biggest autism-specific school programs in the world. A not-for-profit organisation, we work in partnership with people of all ages on the autism spectrum, and their families to deliver evidence-informed solutions that are person-centred, family-focused and customer driven.



At Aspect we recognise a different brilliant®, where we seek to understand, engage and celebrate the strengths, interests and aspirations of people on the autism spectrum.

About the role: We seek self-motivated applicants, who possess good communication skills and can work unsupervised, as well as part of a team. Undertake maintenance and repair work to the school buildings and grounds to ensure it is a safe environment for the school community. 

Click here to view the Position Profile.

Key Responsibilities:

General Grounds Duties:

• Mowing of site, includes playgrounds, carparks and front driveway and access road.
• Whipping and edging of mowed areas.
• Hedging of school gardens and plants and trees onsite.
• Weeding and garden clean-ups as required.
• Blowing of school hard surfaces, including carpark and driveway.
• Some weed spraying in Holiday periods.
• Hosing and general cleaning of buildings and hard surfaces.

General Maintenance duties:

• Minor plumbing repairs on taps and sinks.
• Minor electrical repairs with lights and switches.
• Door repairs including locks, hinges, handles and general repairs.
• Furniture repairs and install.
• Building repairs on all classroom items, external fencing.
• Minor repairs to playgrounds and playground structures.
• Drive school vehicles as required.
• The position will be based at our Thornton main campus. We have satellite classes at Tarro, Abermain, Waratah West, Muswellbrook and Port Macquarie. Willingness to travel (reimbursed) to these sites for short visits is desirable. 

About the School: [select & delete as appropriate]

Aspect Hunter School provides placement for approximately 280 students on the autism spectrum from Kindergarten to year 12 at its main school at Thornton, and across its satellite classes within the Catholic and Department of Education schools in Newcastle, Hunter and Port Macquarie regions. Aspect Hunter School also offers a Distance Education program for students on the autism spectrum in years 3 to 8 from across NSW. 

To find out more about our school, click here.

What we are looking for:

• Experience in general maintenance of grounds/buildings
• Knowledge of electrical, plumbing and general trade maintenance
• Understanding of machinery/equipment operation relating to building maintenance
• Ability to work unsupervised as well as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills
• Trade background is desirable
• Current driver’s licence and use of own vehicle
• Current NSW Working with Children Check for paid employment    
• You may be required to provide an International Police Check clearance.

What we offer:

• The hourly rate for this role is in the range of $31.62 - 33.77 per hour + superannuation
• Salary packaging options to increase your take-home pay
• Employee referral incentives
• Access to a wide range of discounts through Blue Light Card on everyday purchases
• Discounted membership to fitness facilities through Fitness Passport
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

This position is covered by the Independent Schools NSW (Professional and Operational Staff) Cooperative Multi-Enterprise Agreement 2025.   

To apply:

Please attach your resume (not compulsory) and complete the candidate questionnaire; a cover letter is optional.  

Aspect reserves the right to interview and/or appoint candidates at any stage of the hiring process.

Enquiries should be directed to: Lauren Shearer, Leader of Learning & Wellbeing, Aspect Hunter School - [email protected]

Aspect is committed to increasing the number of Autistic staff and providing an inclusive workplace where everyone can feel that they belong. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds including, but not limited to, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, neurodivergent people, people with a disability, the LGBTQIA+ community and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, to apply. We have a range of universal strategies to meet the needs of different people in our hiring processes and are happy to individualise these.

Learn more about us: www.autismspectrum.org.au