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Forensic Clinician - Job Opportunity at Department of Justice and Community Safety

Victoria, Australia
Full-time
Mid-level
Posted: June 4, 2025
On-site
AUD 85,000 - 110,000 annually based on AH4 government classification and specialized forensic clinical requirements. Government roles typically offer salary progression within grade bands, with forensic specialization commanding premium within public sector clinical roles. Additional loading likely for regional placements and specialized portfolios such as violent extremism intervention.

Benefits

Comprehensive specialized induction program providing foundation theory and mentored on-the-job training, positioning new hires for immediate success in forensic clinical practice
Access to national and international forensic experts, offering unparalleled networking and knowledge acquisition opportunities rare in most clinical settings
Dedicated mental health and wellbeing support including essential debriefing for first 12 months, demonstrating organizational commitment to staff psychological safety in high-stress environments
Senior clinical supervision with day-to-day support, ensuring continuous professional development and quality assurance
Professional development funding including clinical scholarships, research programs and study leave opportunities, supporting career advancement and specialization
Annual Leadership Forum and Conference participation, providing technical development and professional networking beyond typical healthcare roles
Fully funded professional registration and association memberships including PBA/AHPRA and AASW, eliminating personal financial burden for career maintenance
Relocation allowances for eligible candidates, facilitating geographic mobility and reducing financial barriers to role acceptance
Flexible work arrangements including part-time options and multiple location choices, supporting work-life integration

Key Responsibilities

Deliver evidence-based forensic interventions within Risk-Needs-Responsivity framework as part of multidisciplinary team, directly impacting recidivism reduction and community safety outcomes
Conduct comprehensive risk assessments and clinical interviews that inform critical judicial and correctional decisions affecting public safety and individual rehabilitation trajectories
Design and implement individualized treatment interventions using validated assessment tools, creating measurable pathways to behavioral change for high-risk populations
Facilitate individual and group treatment programs addressing complex criminogenic factors including violent offending, sexual offending, violent extremism, and family violence
Prepare detailed treatment plans, reports and risk assessments for internal stakeholders and external agencies, influencing parole decisions and community safety planning
Travel to correctional facilities to deliver services, requiring adaptability and professional presence in secure institutional environments

Requirements

Education

Master's degree in psychology, social work, mental health nursing, occupational therapy, counselling or psychotherapy

Experience

Professional experience in relevant clinical field required, forensic clinical experience desirable but not essential

Required Skills

General registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA) Eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Credentialed as a Mental Health Nurse with the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses Registered as an Occupational Therapist with the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia Master's degree in psychotherapy and registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) Master's degree in counselling and membership with Australian Counselling Association (ACA) Current driver's licence for travel to correctional facilities

Certifications

Professional registration with relevant Australian health practitioner boards Professional association memberships as applicable to discipline
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Industry Trends

Forensic psychology and clinical services are experiencing unprecedented growth in Australia as the justice system increasingly recognizes the critical role of evidence-based interventions in reducing recidivism rates. The shift toward therapeutic jurisprudence and problem-solving courts has created sustained demand for qualified forensic clinicians who can bridge clinical practice with correctional outcomes. Government investment in rehabilitation programs, particularly those targeting violent and sexual offending, has expanded significantly following research demonstrating cost-effectiveness of intervention versus incarceration alone. The specialization in violent extremism intervention represents an emerging and highly specialized field within forensic clinical practice, driven by national security concerns and the need for deradicalization programs. This subspecialty commands premium compensation and offers unique career development opportunities as governments worldwide seek expertise in countering violent extremism through clinical intervention rather than purely punitive measures. Mental health integration within correctional systems has become a policy priority across Australian jurisdictions, creating interdisciplinary roles that combine traditional clinical skills with forensic assessment capabilities. The emphasis on trauma-informed care and recognition of cognitive impairment among offender populations has expanded the scope of forensic clinical practice beyond traditional psychology to include occupational therapy, social work, and specialized nursing roles.

Role Significance

Typically operates within multidisciplinary teams of 8-12 professionals including psychologists, social workers, psychiatrists, and correctional officers. May provide clinical supervision to 2-4 junior staff members and coordinate with external stakeholders including parole boards, courts, and community service providers.
Mid-level clinical role with significant autonomous decision-making authority in risk assessment and treatment planning. Position holds substantial influence over correctional outcomes and community safety decisions, requiring independent clinical judgment in high-stakes environments. Role involves direct reporting to senior clinical staff while supervising junior practitioners and students.

Key Projects

Development and implementation of specialized treatment programs for high-risk offender populations including violent and sexual offenders Risk assessment protocol development and validation studies contributing to evidence-based practice standards Community reintegration planning for complex cases involving multiple risk factors and stakeholder coordination Research projects examining intervention effectiveness and recidivism outcomes contributing to policy development Training program development for correctional staff and community service providers on trauma-informed approaches to offender rehabilitation

Success Factors

Clinical expertise combined with understanding of correctional systems and legal frameworks, enabling effective navigation of complex institutional environments while maintaining therapeutic relationships with challenging populations Strong risk assessment and management capabilities, including ability to balance public safety concerns with individual rehabilitation needs, requiring sophisticated clinical judgment and decision-making skills Cultural competency and trauma-informed practice skills essential for working with diverse, marginalized populations who have experienced significant adversity and may present with complex mental health and substance abuse issues Resilience and self-care capacity necessary for sustained work with high-risk populations in potentially dangerous environments, supported by robust supervision and professional development Research and evaluation skills to contribute to evidence-based practice development and program evaluation, supporting continuous improvement in forensic intervention effectiveness

Market Demand

High demand driven by policy emphasis on rehabilitation over incarceration, expansion of therapeutic courts, and recognition of forensic clinical intervention cost-effectiveness in reducing recidivism rates.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Risk assessment and management expertise forms the foundation of forensic clinical practice, requiring sophisticated understanding of actuarial tools, structured professional judgment, and dynamic risk factor assessment. This skill directly impacts public safety decisions and treatment planning effectiveness, making it essential for professional credibility and client outcomes. Therapeutic engagement skills with involuntary and resistant clients represent core competency in forensic settings where traditional therapeutic alliance development faces significant challenges. Success requires specialized techniques for motivation enhancement, trauma-informed approaches, and boundary management in correctional environments. Clinical documentation and report writing capabilities at expert level, as forensic clinicians' written work influences judicial decisions, parole considerations, and treatment planning. Professional reputation and legal defensibility depend on clear, comprehensive, and accurate clinical documentation meeting forensic standards.

Beneficial Skills

Research and evaluation methodology skills supporting evidence-based practice development and program evaluation, enhancing career advancement opportunities and contributing to field knowledge expansion Cross-cultural competency and Indigenous cultural awareness given overrepresentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in correctional systems, supporting more effective intervention and cultural responsiveness Group facilitation and program development expertise enabling leadership in specialized treatment program delivery and staff training, supporting career progression to senior clinical and management roles

Unique Aspects

Access to specialized offender populations including violent extremists and complex violent offenders unavailable in traditional clinical settings, providing unique clinical experience and expertise development opportunities
Integration of clinical practice with correctional policy development and legislative influence, offering pathways to system-level impact beyond individual client intervention
Comprehensive professional development including international expert access and specialized training programs not typically available in private practice or healthcare settings
Opportunity to contribute to evidence-based practice development through research participation and program evaluation, supporting both individual career advancement and field knowledge expansion
Flexible work arrangements including regional placement options and part-time availability, uncommon in specialized forensic clinical roles

Career Growth

Career progression typically occurs over 3-5 year intervals within government systems, with advancement dependent on clinical competency demonstration, leadership capability development, and specialized expertise acquisition. Transition to senior roles generally requires 5-7 years forensic experience plus advanced training or research contributions.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Forensic Clinician positions with increased case complexity and junior staff supervision responsibilities Program Manager roles overseeing specialized intervention programs such as violent extremism or sexual offender treatment Principal Clinical positions providing system-wide clinical leadership and policy development Private practice specializing in forensic assessment and expert witness testimony Academic positions combining clinical practice with research and teaching in forensic psychology programs Senior policy advisor roles influencing correctional policy and legislative development

Company Overview

Department of Justice and Community Safety

The Victorian Department of Justice and Community Safety represents one of Australia's largest and most progressive correctional systems, with responsibility for public safety, emergency management, and justice service delivery across Victoria. The department manages significant correctional infrastructure including prisons, youth justice facilities, and community corrections programs serving diverse populations across metropolitan and regional areas.

Leading governmental employer in criminal justice sector within Australia, offering stability, comprehensive benefits, and career development opportunities unavailable in private sector. The department's Forensic Intervention Services represents a specialized program area with national recognition for evidence-based practice and innovation in offender rehabilitation, positioning staff at the forefront of correctional practice development.
Statewide operations with facilities and services spanning metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victorian locations including Barwon Southwest region. The geographic diversity offers unique career mobility options and exposure to varied client populations and community contexts, from urban high-security facilities to regional community-based programs.
Mission-driven organizational culture emphasizing public service, evidence-based practice, and continuous improvement in community safety outcomes. Strong emphasis on staff wellbeing, professional development, and diversity inclusion reflecting modern public sector values. Collaborative multidisciplinary approach fostering professional growth and knowledge sharing across clinical disciplines.
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