Frequently Asked Questions

Successful candidates will be provided with a pack containing comprehensive information about:

Regional lifestyle
Local schools
Universities
Real Estate – rental, sales and short term accommodation
Employee benefits
Induction program

The following information will be useful for short-listed candidates.

References

I have been asked to provide two references, ensuring that one is my current supervisor. What do I do?

Police Check

I have been asked to initiate a police check. How do I obtain one?
What do I do next?

Other Information: about the position

How are positions allocated?
What does rural and metropolitan location mean?
How long is the contract of employment?

Visas

What visa is required?

References

I have been asked to provide two references, ensuring that one is my current supervisor. What do I do?

Prior to making an offer of employment, the Department of Human Services requires two satisfactory references, including your current supervisor.

If references have not yet been provided, please arrange for your referees to complete the reference template (Word 28kb) with consideration to the relevant job description.

I have been advised that I am a competitive candidate for a CPW2 position ...

If you have not yet provided references and are being considered for a CPW2 position, please arrange for your referees to complete the CPW2 reference template (Word 82kb) with consideration to the CPW2 position description (PDF 88kb).

What happens once satisfactory police checks and references have been received by the Department?

Once all required documentation has been received:

successful candidates will receive a phone call offering a position from a specified region
salary and start date will be negotiated at this time
a letter of offer will follow soon after via email, confirming the agreed details

Candidates will be required to advise of their acceptance within 7 days of the email date and should submit their visa application as soon as possible.

Police Check

I have been asked to initiate a police check. How do I obtain one?

Prior to making an offer of employment, the Department of Human Services must have an original Police certificate. UK residents can obtain one by contacting the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO):

Website: www.acpo.police.uk/certificates.asp
Phone: 0845 601 3999
Email: acro.policecertificates@acro.pnn.police.uk

Irish residents can obtain a police check by visiting their local Garda Station in person, at their place of residence.

Website: www.garda.ie/

* Please note: it is the Department's policy that successful applicants pay for their police checks. The ACPO website advises that the check should take 10 days to process, at a cost of £35. DHS requires an original - additional copies can be provided at a cost of £5, or, retain a certified copy.

What do I do next?

Send the original certificate via Airsure with the following details:

For Urgent Attn: Lynda Whitaker
Overseas Recruitment
Child Protection and Family Services
Department of Human Services
Level 9
50 Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000
Australia

See Royal Mail website for information about Airsure.

I already have a current police check - will that be sufficient or do i need to apply for a new one?

If your check was issued prior to 20 February 2008, you need to apply to ACPO as outlined above.

Working with Children Check

Working with Children Check - all successful candidates are required to apply for a working with children check after arriving in Victoria and before commencing employment. See the Department of Justice website for further information about working with children checks.

Other Information: About the Position

How are positions allocated?

Positions will be offered with consideration to:

level of need (i.e. areas with the highest number of vacancies)
metropolitan or rural preference indicate
family considerations (i.e. if you have family in a particular area)

At present, highest vacancies exist in the North West Region (metro) and Gippsland (rural). Although we can not guarantee we will meet your preferences, you are welcome to indicate them in your application letter and/or at interview.

I am being considered for a Child Protection Worker (CPW2) position but do not have a position decription

Download CPW2 position description (PDF 88kb).

What does rural and metropolitan location mean?

Departmental information about the regions, their offices and an overview of the Department can be found on the Department of Human Services website.

General information about regional Victoria can be found on the VisitVictoria website.

How long is the contract of employment?

Of course we would like your move to be long term however the minimum contract duration is 2 years. Should you terminate employment with the Child Protection program within two years of commencing employment, you will be liable for the costs of your relocation to Australia for which you have been reimbursed.

Does the Department of Human Services require membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)?

The AASW is the professional representative body of social workers in Australia. Membership with the AASW is not requisite to employment with the Department of Human Services.

For more information about the AASW and guidelines for recognition of overseas qualifications see the following links:

Visas

What is required?

Information about the requirements of the Temporary Business Visa (subclass 457) can be found via the following links:

contact Immigration directly via email with your specific query:

Department of Immigration and Citizenship - Email Enquiry Form for the UK & Ireland

Please note: As we are unable to provide immigration advice, you are strongly advised to refer to www.immi.gov.au for visa and immigration conditions and how they apply to your particular circumstances. For example, the following circumstances (applicable to primary applicant or accompanying primary applicant) may impact upon your visa application or transition to permanent residency:

Applicant is over the age of 45 at the time of applying for the Temporary (Long Stay) Business Visa (subclass 457)
Applicant will turn 45 years of age during the visa period
Applicant will turn 18 years of age during the visa period
Applicant experiences any changes to family situation during the visa period (e.g. birth of a child, marriage)

Relocation

Induction Program

DHS will offer an induction program in central Melbourne covering Victorian legislation, policy and practice frameworks, and requirements and practice in the Children's Court.

Taxation

Please consult the following links for information about the Australian Taxation System and how it may apply to your specific circumstances.

Tax File Number

To earn an income in Australia, you require a tax file number. Without it, you may be taxed at a higher rate. See the link below for how to apply AFTER you have arrived in Australia.

Australian Taxation Office - Individual Auto Registration - Tax-file number application or enquiry

Health Cover

We would encourage all candidates to take out private health cover. For information on eligibility for Medicare go to the Medicare website - Visitors to Australia

Employment for my family

Information for job seekers can be found on the Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development website.

Living in Victoria - Finding a Job

Overseas drivers - licences

The need to change your overseas driver licence to a Victorian driver licence depends on whether your stay in Victoria is permanent or temporary.

If you are in Victoria on a temporary visa, you can drive on your overseas licence (provided it is a current, valid licence) for an indefinite period provided your overseas licence is in English (or you have an English translation), or you have an International Driving Permit.

For more information about drivers licences, car registration and road rules in Victoria, see: www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/.