Guidance Counsellor

Holy Spirit College, Edmonton

Commencement Date: 13 July 2026

Employment Type: Part-time, permanent (30.4 hours per week)

Salary Range: $123,709- $131,629 FTE Gross per annum Pro Rata

Closing Date for Applications: 5:00pm, 8 July 2026

Catholic Education, Cairns

Our schools are nestled amongst ancient rainforests, pristine waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes and the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. And you can forget spending hours in the car or on a packed train. The hustle and bustle of the capital cities does not compare to our laidback commute.

About the Role

The School Counsellor role focuses on fostering the development, mental health, and resilience of all students, including those considered at risk and those with special needs. This focus is achieved by applying guidance and counselling skills through direct and indirect processes and systemic and individual interventions, thus contributing to equitable educational access, participation, and outcomes for all students. The School Counsellor is a certified professional who works in partnership with the school by contributing specialised knowledge and skills in a collaborative, collegial manner.

Holy Spirit College 

The College is an initiative of the Diocese of Cairns and Catholic Education Services. The College offers individualised, flexible multi-year secondary education programs for young people disengaged from mainstream schooling. The College provides a variety of innovative teaching and learning practices that acknowledges young people’s complex education and social needs and empowers them to identify and pursue individual transition to adulthood, further education, employment, back to a mainstream school setting and importantly a connection to the community. Staff at the College will be multi-disciplinary in response to the diverse needs of young people and their families.

The College is a registered Special Assistance School across three campuses located within Edmonton. Manoora and the main campus in Cooktown. Cooktown has an enrolment of 38 young people. The Cooktown campus includes a 32-bed Years 7 to 12 residential unit for weekly boarders. While Manoora and Edmonton provide alternative educational pathways via day schooling for young people in Years 7 to 12.

Young people who attend Holy Spirit College include Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people disengaged from mainstream education for a range of reasons, including:

• with a history of complex trauma;
• with a history of extended periods of unexplained absences;
• who are highly mobile;
• who have had contact with the juvenile justice system;
• in the care of the Office of Children and Families;
• with mental illness or at risk of engaging in self-harming behaviours or substance abuse;
• who have been excluded or repeatedly suspended from school;
• who are homeless;
• with a generational history of early school leaving and/or unemployment.

Work Requirements

• With Teacher Qualifications - Be registered or eligible to be registered with Queensland College of Teachers
• Without Teacher Qualifications - Hold a Working with Children Blue Card
• Be fully supportive of the ethos of Catholic Education
• Formal qualifications at Degree level are required in the disciplines of Education, Psychology, or Social Work, and relevant post-graduate experience
• Guidance Counsellors (Teacher) require registration with Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) and full membership of the Queensland Guidance Counsellor Association (QGCA) or general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA), or full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers
  (AASW)
• Guidance Counsellors (Non Teacher, Psychologists or Social Workers) require general registration with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA) or membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

What we offer

• Competitive Salary range: per annum pending experience 
• 12.75% Employer Superannuation Contributions
• Annual Leave with 17.5% leave loading
• Access to salary packaging options to maximise your salary 
• Access to long service leave after 7 years of continuous service (portability of Long Service Leave may also be applicable)
• 14 Weeks’ paid parental leave
• Professional development and Early Career Teacher Support
• Access to Employee Assistance Program

How to Apply

Applications must include a resume and cover letter (not more than 3 pages). Applicants are requested to address the Essential Duties and Responsibilities outlined in the position description. Please outline your experience and include examples. Please clearly state which professional authority you are registered with and membership number (i.e. QCT, AHPRA, AASW and QGCA).

Catholic Education Services encourages applicants to apply ASAP, interviews may be offered before the closing date.
For further information about the role, please download the Position Description  School Counsellor PD

For enquiries: Please call (07) 4050 9722Intending applicants must be fully committed to creating and maintaining a child-safe organisation.

Catholic Education is an equal opportunity employer.