Part-time Intake Counsellor – Maternity leave contract

About us

Amber Community is a not‑for‑profit organisation providing specialised counselling and support to people affected by road trauma, and we work to influence safer attitudes and behaviours through education.

We offer free professional counselling online, by phone, and face‑to‑face at our Mitcham office. Our clients include bereaved families, friends and colleagues; injured people and their carers; drivers and passengers; witnesses; first on scene and those who offered assistance; and emergency service workers.

We also engage people with lived experience to help shape our services and deliver education programs aimed at reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities, and the associated trauma and grief.

About the role

We are seeking a part‑time Intake Counsellor (26 hours per week across four days) to join our counselling team.

This is a maternity leave contract position, classified under the SCHADS Award Level 3, with the pay point negotiated based on qualifications and experience.

This is a maximum-term parental leave cover role, expected to be for up to 13 months, subject to the return of the substantive role holder.

The role is primarily based at our Mitcham office, with flexible working arrangements available.

As the Intake Counsellor, you will oversee and manage our intake process and be a key point of contact for individuals seeking counselling or group support, joining our well‑connected and supportive team of experienced trauma and grief counsellors who provide short‑term counselling and support across Victoria.

Key responsibilities include:

Managing incoming referrals and intake pipelines using a client management system
Conducting the majority of intake calls for counselling and group support
Ensuring intake procedures are followed consistently
Providing initial emotional support, psychoeducation
Assessing needs and service suitability

For many clients, the intake call is the first time they have spoken about their experience with someone who genuinely listens and understands. These conversations offer a warm introduction to our services and play a vital role in ensuring clients are supported and appropriately matched to services.

You will work closely with the counselling team to ensure our services remain accessible, coordinated and effective.

About you

You are a qualified Counsellor with experience in intake work who is professional, compassionate and client‑centred.

You are able to work independently while also contributing positively to a collaborative team, communicate with respect, warmth and professionalism, and manage referrals and documentation with strong attention to detail.

Experience supporting people affected by traumatic incidents and bereavement is highly regarded. Applications from recent graduates with relevant qualifications who are seeking to develop their skills in trauma‑informed and grief‑informed practice are welcome.

You bring a solid theoretical understanding of trauma and traumatic grief, along with the ability to build strong therapeutic relationships with clients during what is often a vulnerable first point of contact.

How to apply

Please refer to the position description for more information.

https://ambercommunity.org.au/wp-content/uploads/AC_IntakeCounsellorPD202602.pdf

To apply, please forward your resume and a cover letter addressing the skills and experience you bring, outlined above.

If you have any questions about the role or Amber Community, please contact our office or Renee Brauer, Manager of Counselling and Support Services, on 1300 367 797 or email renee.brauer@ambercommunity.org.au.

Applications close 5.00 pm Wednesday 25 February 2026. We may contact applicants as applications are received.

Amber Community jobs

Intake Counsellor