Counsellor

• Part -time (0.80 FTE) and continuing

Benefits for working with us!

At Deakin, we offer more than just a job - we offer a lifestyle. Across our campuses in Geelong, Melbourne, and regional Victoria, you’ll find everything you need to thrive: on-site childcare, gyms, medical centres, cafes, accessible public transport, and convenient parking. Enjoy flexible working arrangements that support your work-life balance, generous leave entitlements including extended parental leave and the option to purchase additional time off, plus a wide range of staff discounts on travel and more. Our health and wellbeing services, ongoing professional development opportunities, and inclusive, supportive culture make Deakin a place where you can grow - whether you're working remotely or immersed in the vibrant energy of campus life.

About the Role

The Counsellor delivers evidence-based assessment, consultation, referral, and short-term therapeutic interventions to support students' mental health, wellbeing, and academic success. The role fosters student wellbeing through prevention and early intervention strategies, promotes mental health literacy across the University community, and works to reduce the impact of mental health challenges on students' learning, engagement, and participation.

As a Counsellor, you will:

• Lead initiatives and drive continuous improvement in service delivery, processes, and practices.
• Deliver evidence-based mental health assessments, referrals, and short-term therapeutic interventions to support student wellbeing.
• Assess and manage a broad range of student mental health concerns, including acute, complex, and high-risk presentations.
• Maintain accurate and timely clinical records in compliance with legislative, University, and professional standards.
• Provide specialist mental health advice, consultation, and support to students, staff, and key stakeholders.                                                                                                                     

To be successful, you’ll have:

• Postgraduate qualifications or progress towards postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience or; An equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
• Registration as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or membership of Australian Association of Social Work (AASW)
• Registration as Mental Health Social Worker
• Professional approved training and experience in initial critical incident response
• Knowledge of higher education context and the range of issues faced by a diverse student population (e.g. first-in families, transition, cultural, pressures of tertiary study)
• An accredited facilitator of Mental Health First Aid training (desirable) 

Here's how to apply: 

Please submit your updated resume and a short cover letter outlining your skills and experience.

For a confidential discussion regarding this role, please contact Nicole Pluim (Senior Manager, Student Psychological Programs and Services) on nicole.pluim@deakin.edu.au  

For a copy of the position description, please see below:

 PD-Counsellor-588287.pdf

Applications for this position close on 13 September 2026

Are You Ready?

Deakin is a Victorian university with a global impact. We are an agile, dynamic, and innovative university committed to making a positive impact through our excellence in education, research and innovation and the contributions we make to the wider community.

We understand that our reputation has been built on the dedication and expertise of our staff and we offer a dynamic and diverse working environment with opportunities to grow and develop careers. We believe that a progressive, thriving culture will ensure that people choose to come, and stay at Deakin and contribute to our ongoing success.

We value diversity and aim to build an inclusive environment that champions, embraces and respects differences. We support and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and people of all abilities, cultures, sexual orientation, and genders.

Pre-employment safety and suitability checks: In accordance with the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence, appointment to this role is subject to successful completion of relevant pre-employment checks, including Working With Children Checks and candidate gender-based violence declarations.

Candidates may be asked to declare whether they have been investigated for an allegation of Gender‑based Violence, or determined to have engaged in conduct that constitutes Gender‑based Violence during the course of their previous employment, or otherwise in a legal process.  A declaration is not required from individuals who have experienced gender‑based violence.  A ‘Yes’ response does not automatically exclude a candidate from employment, and any information provided will be treated confidentially and considered only for relevance to the role and the University’s safety obligations.