Make a lasting difference as a Social Worker.

Our Social Workers play a vital role in keeping children and young people safe, connected, and supported. Every day, you’ll work with children, young people, and their families and carers to create positive change and brighter futures.

As a qualified Social Worker, you’ll bring your professional knowledge and practice skills to complex situations: assessing risk, building strong relationships, and developing solutions that protect children and young people while strengthening families.

We offer vacancies across South Australia with generous regional allowances and relocation support. Our Social Work vacancies can be found on our Career Portal (external site), where we promote both individual jobs and pool vacancies.

👉 See our recruitment pool fact sheet (PDF, 172.9 KB) (PDF) for additional information about pool vacancies.

Why choose DCP?

We are the highest paying State Government employer of Social Workers. You’ll be covered by the Allied Health Professionals, Assistants and Psychologists Enterprise Agreement 2025 which delivers a range of benefits designed to recognise and support the important work you do, including:

  • A 4% allowance on top of your wage just for working with DCP
  • An extra allowance of up to $7,060 per year (indexed annually until 2028) for five years if you take up a position in regional South Australia
  • Attractive salary sacrificing benefits (external site)
  • Professional development funding
  • Additional leave options and flexible working arrangements
  • 12% employer contribution to your superannuation
  • Clear career progression pathways within the Allied Health stream
  • Access to clinical supervision and professional networks
  • Employee wellbeing programs, including access to counselling and support services.

What you'll be doing

You'll have the opportunity to:

  • Assess risk and safety for children and young people
  • Develop case plans that focus on reunification, permanency, or stability
  • Work collaboratively with families, carers, and partner agencies
  • Support children and young people to have a voice in decisions that affect them
  • Contribute to culturally responsive practice, especially in working alongside Aboriginal children, families, and communities.

What we’re looking for

To join us as a Social Worker, you’ll need:

  • A recognised Social Work qualification
  • Obtain or hold a valid Working with Children Check issued by the Department for Human Services, to be renewed every 5 years
  • Hold a current South Australian issued driver's licence (P2 or above) and a willingness to drive is essential
  • Eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
  • Strong critical thinking, empathy, and resilience in challenging situations
  • A commitment to ongoing learning and reflective practice
  • A commitment to cultural responsiveness and working respectfully with Aboriginal children, families, and communities.

Opportunities for graduates

Are you finishing your Social Work degree or recently graduated? We actively recruit graduate Social Workers into AHP1 roles. This classification is your entry point into a rewarding career in child protection.

As an AHP1, you’ll:

  • Step into a professional Social Work role with full support from your team and supervisors
  • Receive structured induction, mentoring, and clinical supervision
  • Build core practice skills while making a real difference in the lives of children and families
  • Access all the benefits of the Allied Health Professionals Enterprise Agreement 2025, including a higher wage, professional development, career pathways, and flexible work arrangements.

We welcome applications from students about to complete their degree, as well as recent graduates looking to take the first step in their career.

👉 Not yet ready to graduate? Have you considered volunteering for us to get some experience while you study?

Are you ready to apply?

As South Australia’s largest employer of Social Workers, we offer diverse opportunities across metropolitan and regional offices. Whether you’re starting your career or looking for your next professional challenge, you’ll find meaningful work that makes a difference.

👉 Apply now through our Career Portal (external site)

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact us at DCPRecruitment@sa.gov.au.