Aboriginal Mentor
Corrective Services NSW
Location: Wellington, NSW
Employment type: Ongoing, part‑time (35 hours per fortnight)
Salary: $99,938 – $110,271 per annum (pro rata) ($49,969 – $55,135.50 per annum based on 35 hours per fortnight) plus superannuation and annual leave loading
Grade: Clerk Grade 5/6
This position is open to Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people only.
Your role
Wellington Correctional Centre is a large facility that accommodates maximum, medium, and minimum security sentenced and unsentenced male and female inmates. Staff at Wellington Correctional Centre work in a dynamic and diverse environment where no two days are the same. The centre fosters a supportive work environment where non- custodial staff are integral and valued members of the team. The role of Aboriginal Mentors within the Correctional Centre is diverse and rewarding and they play a vital role in play a vital role in transforming lives of Aboriginal people in our care and creating safer communities.
What you’ll do
As a valued member of our team you will:
- Provide culturally informed support to Aboriginal offenders, contributing to positive rehabilitation and reintegration outcomes.
- Assist in crisis situations and support the delivery and coordination of cultural activities and programs.
- Provide cultural, spiritual, emotional and rehabilitative support to offenders on a regular basis.
- Contribute to the development of post‑release strategies, support programs and community‑based networks.
- Encourage active participation of offenders in internal and external programs that support wellbeing and reduce reoffending.
- Build and maintain effective relationships with Aboriginal communities, Elders, and Aboriginal organisations to support offender engagement.
- Liaise with local and regional government, non‑government, professional and business organisations to identify employment, education and training opportunities.
- Provide cultural advice and support to strengthen relationships between Corrective Services NSW, Aboriginal offenders and the broader community.
- Support positive communication and collaboration between Aboriginal and non‑Aboriginal stakeholders.
- Promote culturally respectful engagement practices aligned with CSNSW values and objectives.
- Work in accordance with relevant policies, procedures and legislative requirements.
You’ll work:
- As part of a collaborative, supportive team that values cultural knowledge, respect and shared responsibility.
- In a correctional centre environment that requires professionalism, resilience and strong interpersonal skills.
Key challenges
- Establishing and sustaining effective local and regional support networks, including family, community and service provider involvement, to support the rehabilitation and management of offenders.
- Contributing to CSNSW efforts to reduce the over‑representation of Aboriginal people in the correctional system through culturally informed engagement, programs and community connection.
What we’re looking for
- Demonstrated experience providing culturally appropriate mentoring, support and guidance to Aboriginal people, with the ability to engage respectfully with offenders in a correctional or community‑based environment.
- Strong knowledge of Aboriginal culture, kinship systems, community protocols and the impacts of intergenerational trauma, and the ability to apply this knowledge to support rehabilitation and reduce reoffending.
- Ability to work for the benefit of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by applying cultural authority, community knowledge and lived experience to strengthen cultural connection, support rehabilitation outcomes and build trust between communities and CSNSW.
- Well‑developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate with Aboriginal and non‑Aboriginal stakeholders, manage sensitive situations, and contribute positively within a multidisciplinary team.
As an Identified role, this position is open only to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander persons.
Where a position is identified, an applicant’s race is a genuine occupational qualification under the exception in Section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.
There are two alternatives to confirming your Aboriginality, one of which must be uploaded to be considered for the role as follows. Either will be accepted:
Confirmation of Aboriginality form
or
Written confirmation from 2-3 Aboriginal organisations within the community in which you live/work, which addresses the three criteria listed below:
- is of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent, and
- identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person, and
- is accepted as a such by the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.
Download the role description.
To apply directly via the DCJ Careers site click here. Search for the job and click the ‘Apply now’ button.
For more information and advice on applying for roles at DCJ, visit Careers for Aboriginal people https://www.dcj.nsw.gov.au/about-us/careers-at-dcj/pathways/careers-for-aboriginal-people.html
What We Offer
We offer a variety of benefits, including:
- A challenging and rewarding career
- Flexible, autonomous work environment
- Competitive pay and conditions
- Training and development opportunities to build and maintain capabilities
- Health & Wellbeing and Employee Assistance Programs.
Want more information? Visit our website to see more information on Working for us.
We do work that really matters
Working for the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) provides lots of opportunities to make a real difference. We collaborate with other agencies and community partners, to improve lives and realise the potential of children, adults, families and communities. We're focused on breaking, rather than managing, disadvantage. It’s work that really matters.
Apply now and join Australia’s top public sector employer where we will support you and provide an exciting and flexible working environment!
Are you ready to join us?
Click apply. You will need to attach an up-to-date résumé (maximum five pages) and a cover letter (maximum three pages) with a brief outline on how you meet the requirements of the role and answer the two targeted questions below:
- Tell us about a time you supported an Aboriginal person in a challenging or sensitive situation while acting in line with cultural values, workplace policies or legislation.
Describe what you did to remain professional, respectful and ethical, and how you demonstrated integrity in your actions, including setting a positive example for others if relevant.
- Provide an example of how you have communicated clearly and respectfully with an Aboriginal offender, client, family member or community member.
Explain how you used plain language, listened carefully, responded to cultural or emotional needs, and checked that your message was understood.
Applications close Sunday 10th May 2026
Got a question?
For more information about the role or what it’s like to work for DCJ, please contact the hiring manager Julie Luckett on 02 6845 5688 or at Julie.Luckett@correctiveservices.nsw.gov.au
If you’ve got a question about applying or would benefit from an adjustment in the recruitment process to help you perform at your best (including an alternate method submission of the application), please contact Aeron Santos via email, Aeron.Santos@dcj.nsw.gov.au
Visit Recruitment adjustments on the DCJ website to learn more.
Inclusion and Diversity lies at the heart of how we recruit
We continue to hire great people with a wide variety of skills, experience, and backgrounds. This includes people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People, women, people identifying as LGBTIQ+, culturally and linguistically diverse people, carers, and other diversity groups.
To find out what DCJ are doing to build an inclusive and diverse workforce, visit Inclusion and diversity on the DCJ website.
Other Information
A talent pool may be created for future ongoing and temporary roles and is valid for a period of up to 18 months.
For more information visit Applying for DCJ jobs on the DCJ website (for all roles except Aboriginal Identified).
Thank you for your interest in this role. We look forward to receiving your application.
To keep up with recruitment opportunities at DCJ, follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CareersatDCJ/
The Welcome Experience
Thinking about moving to regional NSW? Get free, personalised support with housing, schools, jobs, and settling in. Learn more: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience
The careers site currently promotes this service on the ‘Discover roles with DCJ in regional NSW’ page.