AOD Counsellor

• Part Time (30.4 hrs per week), Fixed Term (until 30 June 2026)
• Key role within the Therapeutic Services program.
• SCHADS Level 5 role + salary packaging + above award rates

Thorne Harbour Health, Victoria’s largest LGBTQIA+ community-controlled health organisation, is seeking a skilled and compassionate Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Counsellor to join our Therapeutic Services team. Based at the Victorian Pride Centre in St Kilda, this role delivers evidence-based counselling to support positive behaviour change in clients navigating substance use.

About the role

As an AOD Counsellor, you will:

• Provide high-quality therapeutic counselling to individuals, families, and groups.
• Deliver evidence-based interventions including CBT, motivational interviewing and brief interventions.
• Support client-directed treatment planning and care coordination.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams across our LGBTQIA+ and HIV-focused services.
• Maintain accurate case notes and meet program targets.
• Help foster a culturally safe and affirming environment for our diverse communities.

What’s on offer

In addition to your salary of SCHADS Level 5 + leave loading + superannuation, Thorne Harbour also pays above award. You’ll also be able to increase your take-home pay by accessing up to $15,900 in salary packaging benefits as well as accessing professional and career development.

About You

Our ideal candidate will have:

• A tertiary qualification in counselling, psychology, social work or a related field.
• A graduate qualification or Certificate IV in AOD (or willingness to obtain within 12 months).
• Experience in delivering AOD counselling and psychosocial interventions.
• Knowledge of and commitment to harm minimisation and recovery-oriented approaches.
• The ability to work respectfully and effectively with LGBTQIA+ communities, people living with or affected by HIV or Hepatitis C.
• Strong communication, empathy, and collaboration skills.

About us

Combining passion, commitment and activism, Thorne Harbour Health aims to improve the health and wellbeing of our LGBTQIA+ communities and of those living with or affected by HIV.

For a detailed position description, including selection criteria, click on the attachment in this advertisement.

For further enquiries, please contact Molly Boorman, AOD Manager on 03 9865 6700 or via email – molly.boorman@thorneharbour.org

Applicants from our LGBTQIA+ communities including those living with HIV, those from culturally and linguistically diverse communities, First Nations people, and people with disability are encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Written applications addressing the selection criteria and including a resume and the names and contact details of three professional referees should be sent via our job listing in Employment Hero.

Applications close: Sunday 24 August 2025

Important: it is essential that applicants specifically address the selection criteria. Where selection criteria have not been addressed, applications will not be considered.

Thorne Harbour Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to child safety. We have zero tolerance of child abuse. Our robust human resources, recruitment and vetting practices are strictly adhered to during the application and interviewing process. Applicants should be aware that we carry out working with children, police records and reference checks for all roles.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualification relevant to counselling practice (or similar), for example social work, Counselling or Psychology.
• A graduate qualification in AOD, a Certificate IV in AOD, AOD key competencies, or willingness to undertake AOD competency training within 12 months of employment.

Skills and experience

• Knowledge of and experience with evidence-based therapeutic frameworks suitable for short to mid-term counselling practice including brief interventions and motivational interviewing
• Experience and competence in the provision of assessment, treatment planning, and discharge planning
• Experience and competence in the design and delivery of face-to-face individual, family, or group counselling involving a diverse client group, preferably with people living with or affected by HIV, Hepatitis C, and/or from LGBTI communities and their families
• Commitment to recovery-oriented approaches within a harm minimisation framework, acknowledging and building on people’s own resilience and resources
• An interest and willingness to work with people from LGBTI communities, including people in a non- judgmental and respectful manner
• Ability to convey warmth, openness, empathy and concern for the wellbeing of clients and their families, and capacity and willingness to contribute to a supportive and productive team environment.