• Position    : Fixed Term - Maternity Cover until 16 November 2026
• Location   : Chirnside Park
• Salary      : Between $88,099 to $94,791, plus super and salary packaging options

The Organisation

The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is an Aboriginal Community-Controlled organisation that supports and advocates for the Aboriginal Community and is the largest organisation of its kind in Australia. The VACCA team is committed to the organisation’s visions and values, passionately providing support, service and advocacy for our children and other vulnerable members of the community.

Our strength lies with our people.

About the role

The Cultural Advisor sits within the Cultural Support Planning team and is critical in supporting Aboriginal children and young people living in out-of-home care by maintaining and developing their connection to their Aboriginal culture and community. The work will include assisting care teams with the development, assessment, and review of cultural plans to ensure they meet the cultural needs of Aboriginal children and young people.  And deliver cultural camps and offer cultural mentoring to young people.

The Cultural Advisor will play a lead role with local child protection and mainstream agencies to increase the awareness of, and participation in Aboriginal cultural activities by Aboriginal children and young people.

About You

• Demonstrated commitment and understanding for the values that underpin VACCA’ vision and purpose
• Demonstrated knowledge of the unique history and current circumstances of Aboriginal children, families and community and ability to apply this to Child Protection cultural planning.
• A sound understanding and ability to embed in practice, the core responsibilities and principles underpinning cultural planning for Aboriginal children residing in out-of-home care.  
• Demonstrated knowledge of child development, attachment, and trauma theories as they relate to child and family welfare practice.
• Demonstrated ability to work with Aboriginal children and their families in a complex environment to gather and analyse information that promotes development and implementation of their cultural plan.  
• Demonstrated ability to build professional networks across a range of organisations and individuals to promote collaborative working groups that focus on meeting the best interests of vulnerable Aboriginal children and young people.  
• Proven experience in facilitating youth activities, mentoring and information sessions.
• Experience or competency in organising and developing programs and task to meet program objectives.
• Requirements: Valid Police Check, a Working with Children’s Check for a paid employee (or willingness to obtain) and a Victorian Driver Licence. Current COVID-19 vaccination (Strongly Recommended).

What we can offer you

• A supportive environment that includes comprehensive induction
• The support of regular internal supervision
• Professional development and training opportunities 
• Attractive salary packaging to increase your take-home pay
• 17.5%  loading on annual leave
• Access to agency vehicles for all work-related travel 
• Access to Employee support and wellbeing programs 
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Opportunity to work and build connection with the Aboriginal Community and culture
• Fitness Passport - allowing you (and your family) access to any of the facilities available on this program 

Please note: This is an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander designated position, classified under Section 12 Special Measures of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. This employment opportunity is only available to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Applications should include a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and current resume. We encourage applicants to view the Position Description prior to applying. Please click here  Cultural Advisor - Cultural Support Planning - Chirnside Park -L4 - Maternity Cover 16 Nov 2026.pdf to download the position description for this role. 

Application closes by 14 December 2025

We are committed to Aboriginal self-determination and supporting strong, safe, thriving Aboriginal communities and aim to ensure every individual is treated with dignity, honouring all cultural backgrounds, abilities, ethnicities, sexual orientations, gender identities and spiritual beliefs.

VACCA is a child-safe organisation and is committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people with zero tolerance for child abuse. All successful applicants will be required to undertake a National Police Record Check and Working with Children Check prior to commencement of employment and periodically following commencement.

VACCA is an equal opportunity employer and has a smoke-free workplace policy