Chaplain - Westhaven Residential Aged Care (Footscray)
Permanent Part Time-0.8 FTE
About Us
BaptistCare is a leading purpose-led care organisation, guided by our Christian identity and serving people and communities across Australia for more than 110 years. We support people to live better through aged care, home care, retirement living, community services, disability support and housing.
We know that life’s challenges can make our world feel smaller. With the right people alongside us, it can feel more connected, supported and hopeful again.
That’s what we work towards every day - enriching lives through communities of care. Today, more than 70,000 customers, 12,000 employees and close to 2,000 volunteers are part of our communities across Australia.
About the Role
BaptistCare is seeking a compassionate and experienced Chaplain to provide spiritual and pastoral support to residents at Westhaven Residential Aged Care in Footscray, Melbourne.
This is a permanent part-time position offering 60.8 hours per fortnight (equivalent to 4 days per per week), with flexible workdays.
This role will be based at Westhaven in Footscray, and involve close collaboration with the shared care team to respond to the diverse needs of clients, carers, families, and staff.
You will be joining the Chaplaincy and Spiritual Care team who provide effective, person-centred spiritual and pastoral care to clients and their families, staff and volunteers (collectively our ‘customers’) irrespective of cultural background, gender, sexuality, faith tradition, denomination or personal beliefs. We walk alongside our customers, volunteers and employees, supporting them to be more relationally connected to God (or a higher purpose), the people in their lives, the world around them, and within themselves.
BaptistCare empowers staff by offering flexible work hours, a supportive team, training opportunities and financial benefits including salary packaging and stability working for an industry leading provider.
The successful applicant will have:
- Tertiary qualifications in chaplaincy / pastoral care OR tertiary theological qualifications with a willingness to undertake chaplaincy / pastoral care specific training within the first 12 months of employment
- Experience in chaplaincy or pastoral care
- Willingness to undergo a police check
Key Selection Criteria
- Ability to demonstrate a personal, active and authentic Christian faith along with a high level of spiritual maturity
- Ability to recognise and meet the spiritual and pastoral needs of customers by designing, delivering and evaluating person-centred spiritual care initiatives, in accordance with professional codes and standards of conduct
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with customers and to work effectively as a member of a multi-disciplinary team
- Be capable and willing to lead Christian prayers, devotions and reflections in a manner that reflects BaptistCare’s Christian identity
- Ability to facilitate safe and welcoming spaces which provide a sense of community and belonging, treating all customers with equity, respect, and dignity
- Provide spiritual and pastoral care in ways that respect and value diversity, e.g. age, race, faith, culture, disability, gender, spirituality, and sexuality
- Ability to manage, support and train Pastoral Care Volunteers
- Demonstrated commitment to maintain professional boundaries, and professional spiritual development in line with the Christian faith
- Demonstrated commitment to self-nurture and self-care
- Ability to inspire and encourage others to grow in their Christian faith and to embody Christian values in daily life, particularly in challenging or complex situations
- Capacity to integrate Christian theology and Biblical teaching into pastoral care in a sensitive and appropriate manner
- Alignment and commitment to BaptistCare’s Mission, Vision, and Values
How to apply
- As part of your application please address the selection criteria listed above. Applications that don't address the Key Selection Criteria will not be accepted.
- Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.
Applications close: 15 June 2026
Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as applications may be reviewed prior to the closing date. Closing Date is subject to change without notice.
Successful applications will be subject to a variety of background checks.
BaptistCare – Inspired by Jesus to champion care for all.
BaptistCare is dedicated to the safety, empowerment, and participation of all children. We have zero tolerance of child abuse and are committed to a thoughtful, protective environment that supports infants, children, and young people to feel safe and respected.