Pastoral Care Practitioner

About the role

Mater Hospital Springfield is seeking applications for Pastoral Care Practitioner to join us in a Permanent, Part-time role working 30 hours per fortnight.

While this position will be predominately based at the Springfield campus, you may be required to travel to Redland and South Brisbane depending on operational requirements. There are weekend and public holiday On-Call provisions.

Mater is a contemporary mission-based organisation founded and inspired by the Sisters of Mercy, with a compassionate spirit and a commitment to responding to unmet need. As Queensland’s largest and most innovative not-for-profit Catholic health care service we are seeking two pastoral care practitioners to join our team of compassionate listeners who provide spiritual and emotional support to persons of various religious, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, life philosophies and faith traditions.

Salary range: $41.06 - $60.35 per hour plus superannuation and access to not-for-profit salary packaging up to $15,900  + access to many staff benefits! 

What you’ll be doing

As a Pastoral Care Practitioner, you will offer a professional, compassionate presence to those in your care—listening, supporting, and helping individuals and families find comfort, meaning, and hope. You will be part of a multidisciplinary team providing holistic care that integrates the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of each person. Your work will contribute to a caring and inclusive environment that reflects Mater’s values of mercy, dignity, compassion, and excellence.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing emotional and spiritual support to patients, families, and staff
• Responding to referrals and requests for pastoral or spiritual care
• Collaborating with clinicians and care teams to enhance patient wellbeing
• Supporting rituals, reflection, and memorial events where appropriate
• Advocating for patients and families when needed
• Respecting and engaging with diverse faith and belief systems
• Maintaining accurate records and participating in reflective supervision
• Demonstrating flexibility to meet changing care and service needs, including working across various wards and locations

About you

You are a compassionate and reflective practitioner who finds meaning in supporting others through life’s most vulnerable moments. You bring a calm and empathetic presence, providing emotional and spiritual care to patients, families, and staff from diverse backgrounds and beliefs. With a background in pastoral care, counselling, or human services, you are grounded in professional practice and guided by respect, dignity, and compassion. You thrive in a team environment, value holistic care, and are committed to upholding Mater’s Mission and Values in all you do.

• Hold an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification in a Human Services related field such as Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, Interfaith, Chaplaincy, or Coaching
• Minimum 2 years’ experience providing Pastoral Care and Spiritual support in clinical or equivalent environments
• Experience facilitating small to medium-sized groups in Meditation/Mindfulness sessions, debriefs, and staff well-being activities
• Ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team
• Grounded spirituality supported by regular personal practice and engagement in a spiritual, faith, or contemplative community
• Ability to build rapport, trust, empathy, and foster strong relationships
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Respectful and sensitive to diverse religious, cultural, ethnic backgrounds, life philosophies and faith traditions
• Commitment to ongoing professional development
• Unrestricted Driver’s License
• Completion of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) qualification is advantageous
• Proficient in technology including Outlook, MS Teams, MS Word and Excel

Why join us?

Mater is Queensland’s largest not-for-profit healthcare provider, delivering exceptional care to nearly 700,000 patients each year across 11 (soon to be 12) hospitals. We’re leaders in healthcare, education,  fundraising & philanthropy and research — and it’s our people who make the difference.

We’re looking for passionate individuals to join our team and help shape the future of care. At Mater, you’ll be part of a purpose-driven organisation that values innovation, compassion, and excellence.

• Increase your take-home pay with generous salary packaging options, including meal and entertainment benefits
• Grow your career with access to industry-leading training and professional development through Mater Education
• Wellbeing support through our Employee Assistance Program and on-site pastoral care teams
• Access a range of health and wellbeing services with a corporate discount on private health insurance
• Exclusive discounts across dining, retail, travel, accommodation (just to name a few!)
• Stay active with unlimited access to discounted gyms via the Fitness Passport program
• Convenient, discounted on-site parking
• Enjoy great food with reduced prices at our campus cafés and coffee spots
• Join Queensland’s Largest and Most Innovative Not-for-Profit Healthcare Team.

Be part of something bigger. Make your move with Mater. #GETBETTERWITHMATER

Applications close Wednesday, 2nd September 2026 –please note, we may contact applicants prior to the closing date, please do not hesitate to APPLY NOW. Direct applications only — we are not engaging recruitment agencies at this time. All successful candidates may be required to complete pre‑employment checks (including criminal history, working rights, medical and working with children checks).

Mater offers a safe, supportive, flexible and inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and abilities. Visit our Reconciliation webpage. 

Mater ensures all children have an environment suitable for their safety and wellbeing through proper supervision and safeguarding practices.