OUR ORGANISATION
The Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Limited (VACSAL) is the recognised state-wide Peak Advisory body on Aboriginal community issues. VACSAL is a community based, community-controlled organisation, comprising representatives from Koorie organisations across the State. As well as having an advisory role, VACSAL delivers and manages a range of critical community services across Victoria.
POSITION SUMMARY
VACSAL is currently seeking dynamic, enthusiastic individuals with a genuine love for working with people to join our Aboriginal Homelessness Program as the Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) Worker.
The Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) Worker provides a rapid crisis response for Aboriginal people and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness across the Northern and Western Metropolitan regions .
This position forms part of VACSAL’s multidisciplinary homelessness response team, which offers culturally safe, trauma-informed, and person-centred support to individuals and families experiencing housing crisis.
The IAP Worker will be responsible for undertaking initial assessments and planning, providing material aid and emergency accommodation assistance, and linking clients to longer-term housing and support pathways.
The role also involves close collaboration with other Aboriginal organisations—including VACCA, Elizabeth Morgan House, Aborigines Advancement League, and Margret Tucker Hostel—to ensure coordinated and effective responses.
KEY RESULT AREAS:
Area Tasks
Initial Assessment and Planning (IAP) Response
• Provide a culturally supportive and comprehensive first point of contact for Aboriginal people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
• Conduct assessments to identify presenting needs, risks, and immediate safety concerns (including family violence, child protection, or mental health crises).
• Work collaboratively with clients to identify their goals and develop initial housing and support plans.
• Provide short-term interventions such as emergency accommodation, brokerage, or referrals to address urgent needs.
• Deliver accurate information and support to help clients understand and navigate available housing and community service options.
• Minimise barriers to access by ensuring clear referrals, strong follow-up, and reduction of multiple service presentations.
• Assist clients to stabilise their immediate situation so that they can engage in longer-term case management or housing pathways.
• Assisting clients to access a range of long-term housing options (private rental, social housing through the vacancy management system)
Service Integration and Partnerships
• Collaborate closely with Aboriginal service partners and mainstream homelessness agencies to ensure coordinated and culturally safe responses.
• Work with VACSAL’s Homelessness Case Managers to prioritise and refer complex cases requiring intensive support.
• Participate in regional homelessness networks, case coordination meetings, and the Aboriginal Homelessness Committee (Lodjbra).
• Maintain strong relationships with key partner organisations, including VACCA, Elizabeth Morgan House, Aborigines Advancement League, Margret Tucker Hostel, and Haven Home Safe.
• Contribute to a shared regional approach for Aboriginal homelessness response across the Northern and Western regions.
Administration and Reporting
•Maintain accurate and timely client records, data entry, and case notes in accordance with program and departmental requirements.
• Contribute to reporting processes, outcome tracking, and service evaluation activities.
• Ensure confidentiality and cultural safety in all documentation and communications.
• Participate in regular team meetings, supervision, and performance reviews, staff meetings and AGM.
• Assist with internal and external reporting as required by the Senior Programs Manager and funding bodies.
• Fulfil all administrative tasks for the position and undertake additional administrative duties as required.
General
• Adhere to VACSAL’s policies, procedures, and quality assurance frameworks.
• Contribute to program planning, policy development, and continuous improvement activities.
• Represent VACSAL positively and professionally in all interactions with community, clients, and partner agencies.
• Participate in relevant internal and external training, cultural awareness, and professional development activities.
• Uphold VACSAL’s commitment to Aboriginal self-determination, cultural integrity, and community leadership.
• Attend regular team meetings.
• Participate in bimonthly supervision with the team leader/manager.
• Contribute to a positive organisational culture.
• Ensure you have a sound knowledge of all VACSAL programs
• Create a yearly work plan, ensuring it aligns with your KPI’s and is in conjunction with your program and the Strategic Plan. Ensure it is updated bimonthly as part of your Supervisor Sessions.
• Assist with VACSAL community events such as Naidoc activities, sports carnivals etc
• Attend VACSAL In Service and AGM annually
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA (KSC)
Mandatory KSC:
Competency
Aboriginal Community Knowledge
• Demonstrated understanding of Victorian Aboriginal culture, kinship networks, and local Aboriginal community organisations.
• Experience working with Aboriginal people experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or within related fields such as family violence, mental health, or community support.
• Ability to undertake culturally safe assessments, identify immediate needs, and respond appropriately within crisis and short-term frameworks
Preferred / Highly Desirable
• Experience in homelessness, housing, or crisis intervention services.
• Familiarity with the Opening Doors framework or Homelessness Engagement Assessment Response Team (HEART) response systems.
• Experience in data entry, reporting, and use of client management systems.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and strengths-based practice.
• Experience working in Aboriginal community-controlled organisations or similar community service environments.
• Demonstrated capacity to engage respectfully with clients experiencing trauma, substance use, or complex needs.
• Strong communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Sound knowledge of local housing, health, and community service systems and referral pathways.
Framework Understanding and Experience
• Demonstrated experience, knowledge and expertise in undertaking complex assessment and casework, culturally based case practice intervention models, working with families and the underlying issues facing Koori people.
• Understanding of government and non-government sectors, particularly the homelessness sector, education and employment systems.
Teamwork and Autonomy
•Demonstrated ability to work within a team environment and independent of direct supervision.
Communication
• Practical level of verbal and written communication skills, advocacy, negotiation and motivation skills including the ability to deal effectively and diplomatically with Koorie clients and their families, education and employment services, the Koorie community, other service providers and colleagues and the capacity to provide effective representation for clients in various settings.
Knowledge of Homelessness
• Sound understanding of the issues facing homeless families/individuals and the impact of homelessness on children.
• Current Working with children’s check
• Current National police check
• Current Victorian Driver’s License and ability to travel across regions
• Full vaccination against COVID-19
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
Appropriate Tertiary Qualifications and/or direct experience in the homelessness, housing and support services sector.
A passion to redress disadvantage in our community and to work diligently toward ending chronic homelessness
Certificate IV in Community Services (or willing to complete on commencement)
Other Relevant Information:
• After hours work may be required
• The successful applicant will be required to disclosure any pre-existing injury/injuries and/or medical condition/s, which could be aggravated by the type of employment they are applying for. The existence of an injury/injuries and/or medical condition/s will not preclude the applicant from employment, unless they are unable to perform the inherent requirements of the position. However, failure to disclose any relevant information may affect a claim for Worker’s Compensation.
Applications for this position must include the following:
1. Written cover letter that outlines why the applicant believes that he/she would be suitable for this position.
2. Detailed Curriculum Vitae that outlines educational and employment background, which must also include at least 3 referees.
3. A detailed response to the Key Selection Criteria.
4. Applications for this position close on 30th April 2026. Applications must reach VACSAL office by close of business that day.
5. It is a mandatory requirement that all successful applicants will be required to provide a current Working with Children check and a current National Police check as well as proof of full vaccination against COVID-19.
6. Applications must be marked Private & Confidential and Emailed to: hr@vacsal.org.au
