Defence Force – Assessment and Triage in Canberra

• Phone-based assessment, triage and crisis support roles based in Canberra
• Purpose-driven opportunity supporting Defence members and their families
• Ongoing casual employment

Defence Assessment & Triage | Canberra | 2027 Expressions of Interest
Register your interest in anticipated 2027 opportunities supporting Defence members and their families through phone-based assessment, triage and crisis support.

• Phone-based assessment, triage and crisis support based onsite in Canberra
• Purpose-driven work supporting Defence members and their families
• Ongoing casual employment with full-time hours on an established rotating roster

Are you a qualified mental health professional interested in supporting Defence members and their families?

abrs is inviting Expressions of Interest for anticipated 2027 opportunities within a phone-based assessment and triage service located onsite at Brindabella Business Park, Canberra.

We are looking to connect early with experienced professionals from Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Allied Health and Human Services backgrounds who bring experience in mental health assessment, crisis support, risk assessment or telephone-based services.

About the opportunity
As a first point of contact for Defence members and their families, you will help callers identify their needs, assess immediate risks and connect with appropriate support.
The work requires sound clinical judgement, a calm and compassionate approach, strong documentation skills and confidence responding to a wide range of presenting concerns.
Responsibilities may include:

• Providing telephone-based triage, brief counselling interventions and emotional support
• Conducting risk assessments, safety planning and escalation in urgent situations
• Connecting callers with appropriate internal and external supports
• Preparing clear, accurate case notes and reports within required timeframes
• Conducting assessments by telephone and video
• Participating in team debriefs, supervision and knowledge sharing
• Working within established procedures and a multidisciplinary team

This service focuses on assessment, triage and brief intervention rather than ongoing counselling. You will need to build rapport quickly, identify priorities and support callers to take appropriate next steps.

Employment and roster requirements
Anticipated opportunities are for ongoing casual employment with full-time hours, working onsite in Canberra on a rotating roster that requires evening and weekend work.

Availability to work the service’s established rotating roster, including weekends, is essential. The roster is determined by operational requirements and cannot be adjusted to accommodate individual availability or preferred working hours.

Roster details will be discussed early in the recruitment process so you can confirm your availability before progressing.

About you
We are interested in hearing from professionals who bring:

• A relevant degree in Social Work, Psychology, Mental Health Nursing, Allied Health, Human Services or a related discipline
• Experience in risk assessment, crisis intervention or mental health support
• Strong verbal communication skills and confidence engaging with people over the phone
• Strong written skills, including experience completing professional case notes, reports or clinical documentation
• Sound judgement and confidence recognising when escalation is required
• A collaborative approach and the ability to work within structured procedures
• Availability to work the established rotating roster, including weekends, without adjustments to accommodate individual availability
• Australian citizenship, as required for security clearance
• ACT residency or willingness to relocate to Canberra and work onsite

Eligibility will be assessed against the qualification, experience and security requirements of each confirmed opportunity.

Register your interest
Whether you are actively considering your next role or exploring future Defence opportunities, we would welcome the opportunity to hear from you.
Submit your resume and a member of the abrs team will contact you for a confidential discussion about your experience, interests and availability.
This advertisement is an Expression of Interest for anticipated future opportunities and does not represent a current vacancy or guarantee employment. Specific vacancies, commencement dates, remuneration and detailed employment and roster arrangements will be discussed as opportunities are confirmed.

Why partner with abrs?
abrs is a charity-owned, not-for-profit recruitment agency, with 100% of our net revenue returned to fund programs supporting children, youth and families.
We bring specialist recruitment experience and a commitment to respectful relationships, supporting professionals to find meaningful work that makes a positive difference.