Aboriginal Client and CSO

Aboriginal Client & Community Support Officer

Location – Newcastle

Employment type – Ongoing full-time role

Salary - $87,199.00 - $95,482.00 pa, plus superannuation and leave loading

This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only

Your role

This is a great opportunity for candidates to assist in helping Aboriginal people who come before the justice system.  They will be part of a multi-disciplinary team and is responsible for supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients who come before the local court

What you’ll do

The Aboriginal Client & Community Officer will be Working with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander clients, making culturally appropriate referrals and advocating on their behalf.

Developing and maintaining collaborative working partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific services, Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, and other government and nongovernment service providers.

The Aboriginal Services Unit (ASU) delivers specialised services to frontline clients and community through the Circle Sentencing program, Aboriginal Community Justice Groups and our service delivery in local courts. We also influence diversion strategies, projects and policy development through our informed and expert knowledge of Aboriginal people experiencing the NSW justice system as victims and offenders

ASU works to build pathways to justice for Aboriginal people and achieves this through:

• Providing high-quality services and support to Aboriginal offenders and victims at court.


• Commitment to improving customer experiences through our service delivery.


• Collaborating with key internal and external DCJ stakeholders to design and implement culturally responsive approaches to addressing overrepresentation in the criminal justice system.


• Designing and implementing programs in courts to target Aboriginal people’s offending.


• Working with Aboriginal communities to develop local solutions to contribute to safer local communities.


• Helping build the evidence base about ‘what works’ with Aboriginal offenders.

Using technology to support service delivery and assist clients in maintaining contact with families while in custody.

What we’re looking for

In addition to the essential requirements outlined in the role description, the ideal candidate will have/be:

• A motivated person who is passionate about helping their mob and making a real difference.


• Someone who brings strong, well-developed skills in the area of exceptional communication, listening and advocacy skills with Aboriginal people, connecting Aboriginal people with culturally appropriate services.


• Strong time management and prioritisation, particularly in busy court lists


• Ability to maintain accurate records and reports


• Strong cultural competence


• Ability to provide cultural guidance within multidisciplinary teams.


• Knowledge of the Hunter Local Aboriginal communities, services, and referral pathways

Able to demonstrate the ability to:

• Build trusting, respectful relationships with Aboriginal clients and families


• Remain calm, professional, and supportive in highly emotional or complex situations


• Advocate strongly while respecting legal boundaries and court processes


• Show resilience, self‑care awareness, and emotional intelligence


• Model professionalism, accountability, and cultural integrity

Download the role description.

As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons, Australia’s First Nations people

Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:

Confirmation of Aboriginality form

Or

Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:

• is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and


• identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and


• is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-dcj/pathways/careers-for-aboriginal-people.html

What We Offer

We offer a variety of benefits, including:

• A challenging and rewarding career

• Flexible, autonomous work environment

• Competitive pay and conditions

• Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities

• Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.

Want more information?  Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.

We do work that really matters

Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.

Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!

Are you ready to join us?

Click apply, attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum 5 pages) and a cover letter (maximum 3 pages) addressing the 1 targeted question below with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role:

Targeted Question 1

Can you describe your experience working with, or your connection to the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities?  In your response, please include how you have built relationships, demonstrated cultural respect, and supported the Aboriginal community needs.

Applications close Sunday, 23 August 2026 at 11:59 pm AEST.

Got a question?

For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Tania Rockley on 0407 395 270 or at [email protected]  

If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please call Anjy Fayad on 02 9765 3042 or via [email protected]

Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.

Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit

We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.

To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.

Other Information

A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.

For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified).

Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/

The Welcome Experience
 Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.