WDP Service - Sponsor Support Officer

• Full-Time Fixed Term contract (until 30 June 2027)

• Salary commensurate with experience $83,136 to $101,849 plus superannuation

• Attractive employee benefits including salary packaging

• Generous leave provisions of 5 weeks annual leave plus leave loading

• 2 weeks additional paid leave for end of year closure

• Access to additional paid leave for health and well-being

The Work and Development Permit Scheme (WDP Scheme) is delivered in partnership between the Department of Justice (DoJ), Legal Aid Western Australia (LAWA), and the Aboriginal Legal Service Western Australia (ALSWA). ALSWA is funded to deliver a culturally secure, statewide Work and Development Permit Service (WDP Service), which includes program management, sponsor engagement and client support roles based in Perth.

The role of the ALSWA WDP Service Sponsor Support Officer involves supporting the objectives of the WDP Scheme to enable people who are experiencing hardship to reduce their outstanding court fine debt via voluntary participation in approved work and development activities such as unpaid voluntary work, treatment, courses, programs and other activities under the supervision of support services (known as WDP Sponsors). The ALSWA’s culturally secure statewide WDP Service:

• undertakes fine checks for Aboriginal clients, including ALSWA clients, and provides assistance to clients to manage their outstanding fines;

• links Aboriginal fine defaulters, including ALSWA clients, to approved WDP sponsors for the purpose of applying for a WDP; and

• liaises with internal and external stakeholders to assist clients with their fines including support of the engagement of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations and other relevant organisations as potential and existing sponsors.

 The primary focus of the position is to provide support to approved WDP Sponsors as well as increase the number of new WDP Sponsors across the State as part of the ALSWA WDP Service team.

To be considered for this opportunity, you will need to meet the following criteria:

• Strong communication skills (interpersonal, written, and verbal) with the ability to provide guidance, support and information to WDP sponsors, WDP participants, and stakeholders.

• Strong organisational, time management and information management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, maintain confidentiality, accurately process information, and confidently use workplace technology.  

• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team, follow processes, provide consistent support to WDP sponsors, and contribute to team knowledge sharing.

• Ability to work and communicate effectively with Aboriginal people with an appropriate level of cultural understanding, empathy and sensitivity.

• Ability to develop an understanding of fines-related needs of clients experiencing hardship including linking them to WDP Sponsors.

• Demonstrated knowledge (or the ability to gain knowledge) of Aboriginal community-based support services that can assist with meeting the objectives of the WDP Scheme.

• Ability to obtain a Working with Children Check and National Police Clearance.
  

It is also desirable if you have:

• Sound understanding of Aboriginal communities and the issues affecting them

• Knowledge of the Western Australian legal systems and fines enforcement processes (or ability to develop this knowledge).

• Experience working in a community service, client support, stakeholder support or an administrative role.

• Ability to travel if required.

We have a friendly, caring and diverse work environment. We offer attractive employment benefits including salary packaging (making part of your salary tax-free), free counselling services to employees and immediate family through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), flexible working arrangements and opportunities for professional development. 

We also provide 5 weeks annual leave per year plus leave loading, 2 weeks additional paid leave for end of year closure, and access to additional paid leave for health and well-being.

ALSWA is a not-for-profit independent government-funded Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation working to provide high-quality representation and assistance to the Aboriginal community in WA.

We aim to deliver a quality legal service and education that contributes to the participation, empowerment and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout WA.

ALSWA has 11 offices across regional WA and practices in the areas of criminal, civil and human rights, and family law, as well as law reform, community legal education and programs including the Custody Notification Service (CNS), Custody Wellbeing Service (CWS), Youth Engagement Program (YEP), Bail Support Service/Prison In-Reach Legal Service (BSS/PIR), Old Ways New Ways (OWNW), and the Work and Development Permit Service (WDPS).

We live our values of caring, sharing and respect.

To submit your application, please click the 'Apply' button or send your application to ***********@als.org.au. Your application must include a cover letter outlining what strengths you could bring to the role and your resume. Selection criteria are not required. 

If you wish to discuss this opportunity in further detail, please contact Paula Sutherland, WDP Service or ALSWA Human Resources on (08) 9265 6***.

APPLICATIONS CLOSE:  23 August 2026

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are seeking to increase the diversity of our workforce to better meet the differing needs of our clients and to improve equal opportunity outcomes for our employees. ALSWA strongly encourages applications from Indigenous Australians. We also encourage applications from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with a disability, and we provide an environment that values diversity and supports all staff to reach their full potential.