• Based at our Geelong, Waurn Ponds Campus + hybrid work arrangements
• Two part‑time (0.6 FTE) fixed‑term roles, ending August 2026 and November 2026
• HEW 8 $118,801 - $136,018  + 17% Superannuation

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.

Who are we?

Deakin is a cutting-edge public university headquartered in Victoria, revolutionising education with 61,000 students across our campuses: Melbourne Burwood, Geelong Waurn Ponds, Geelong Waterfront, Warrnambool, Deakin University Lancaster University Indonesia (DLI), GIFT City, India, and our vibrant online environment. We're proud to be a progressive and open-minded university, delivering the highest student satisfaction in Victoria and consistently ranked in the top 1% of the world's universities.

About the role

The Counsellor plays a key role in empowering students to thrive, delivering evidence‑based mental health support, short‑term counselling and expert guidance to improve and support wellbeing and academic success. With an inclusive, student‑centred approach, the Counsellor supports diverse communities, helps navigate critical incidents and contributes to a vibrant, mentally healthy campus.

As a Counsellor, you will:

• Deliver effective and efficient evidence-based assessment and short-term psychological interventions to support student mental health and improve academic outcomes.
• Assess for, and manage emerging, acute, and complex student mental health issues, including student mental health risk.
• Maintain appropriate records in accordance with the requirements of Deakin University, relevant legislation and professional bodies
• Evaluate, plan, and implement inclusive and accessible mental health services and offer expert advice to support student mental health through collaboration with a multi-disciplinary team of health professionals, and a diverse range of stakeholders
• Act as a coach and work with team members utilising mental health expertise to identify and analyse student mental health trends in order to design, implement and evaluate initiatives and programs/workshops to enhance mental health literacy and student outcomes

To be successful, you’ll have:

• Registration as a Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) or membership of Australian Association of Social Work (AASW) with registration as mental health Social Worker and an Employee Working with Children Check
• Postgraduate qualifications or progress towards postgraduate qualifications and extensive relevant experience; or
• An equivalent combination of relevant experience and/or education/training
• Professionally approved training and experience in initial critical incident response
• Knowledge of the tertiary university context and the range of issues faced by a diverse student population, e.g. First-in families, transition, cultural, pressures of tertiary study.
• Experience in providing counselling via phone and online and in the delivery of psychological programs and advanced clinical, assessment and intervention skills 

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:

 Counsellor - HEW 8.pdf

Applications for this position close on 26 March 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.