Defence Force – Assessment and Triage in Canberra

Are you ready to make a meaningful impact in the lives of Defence members and their families?

abrs is partnering with the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to recruit passionate and qualified mental health professionals for a vital phone-based intake and triage service located onsite at Brindabella Business Park, Canberra.
This is an opportunity to join a stable, mission-driven environment where your work genuinely matters, every single day.

Why you’ll love this role

• Ongoing casual employment with full-time hours
• Rotating shifts (Monday–Sunday)
• Real career pathways into long-term and permanent ADF positions
• Meaningful, purpose-driven work supporting Defence members and families
• A supportive, multidisciplinary team culture with regular debriefing and peer collaboration
• Modern office environment within Brindabella Business Park

Within this role, you’ll be the first point of contact for ADF members and their families seeking mental health and wellbeing support. This is a fast-paced, highly rewarding role focused on clinical triage, risk assessment, referral pathways, and high-quality documentation.

You will:

• Provide telephone-based triage, brief intervention Counselling and emotional support
• Conduct risk assessments, safety planning and escalation in urgent situations
• Prepare clear, accurate case notes and reports within required timeframes
• Identify needs quickly and connect callers to appropriate internal and external supports
• Participate in regular team debriefs, supervision and knowledge sharing
• Conduct assessments via phone and video (Skype)

Important: This is not a private practice-style counselling role. Success in this role requires strong triage judgement, confidence with structured documentation, and working effectively within a shift-based service model.
About you

We welcome applicants from Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, or similar clinical backgrounds who are confident working in a structured environment.

You will bring:

• A relevant degree in Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Allied Health, Human Services, or similar
• Proven experience in risk assessment and crisis intervention
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Experience preparing professional reports and clinical documentation
• Australian Citizenship (required for security clearance)
• Ability to commit to full-time rotating shifts (Monday–Sunday), including weekends
• Residency in ACT or willingness to relocate

Why This Role Matters:

This is more than just a job, it’s a unique opportunity to support those who serve our country. Many of our contractors have gone on to secure permanent roles within the ADF, making this a true stepping stone for a long and meaningful career.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now and be part of something bigger.

Please contact Karen on 0439 498 991 if you are interested in hearing more and applying for this position by email at karen@abrs.net.au

Why partner with abrs to secure your next role?

Abrs is Australia’s only charity-owned Not-For-Profit Recruitment agency with 100% of our net revenue returned to fund programs that assist children, youth and families.


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