Introduction
Northern NSW Local Health District is recruiting Social Workers for permanent full-time and part-time positions in the Acute Care Service at Lismore. The work supports people who need acute mental health care, where assessment, therapeutic communication and coordinated decisions can directly affect safety and continuity of care.
When preparing the Social Worker application, use examples involving complex needs, risk, urgent assessment or a transition in care. Explain what information you gathered, how you involved the person, family and multidisciplinary team, what decision you supported and how the plan was documented and handed over.
Applications close Tuesday 21 July 2026. Read the official job ad before submitting.
Role snapshot
- Role: Social Worker, Acute Care Service – Lismore
- Organisation: Northern NSW Local Health District
- Location: Lismore and Far North Coast
- Vacancies: Permanent full-time and part-time positions
- Salary: $116,892 to $120,680 per annum, pro rata
- Closing date: Tuesday 21 July 2026
- Official advert: View the Social Worker job ad
Application requirements
Open the NSW Health application portal before drafting and note every required document, selection question and page limit.
Your resume should make acute mental health, assessment, therapeutic and multidisciplinary experience easy to find. If a cover letter is requested, use the free NSW cover letter template to organise evidence around assessment, communication, professional judgement and continuity of care.
Essential role requirements
The role record identifies Australian work rights and NSW Health vaccination requirements. Confirm the current screening conditions in the official application information.
Candidate evidence areas
Acute assessment and intervention
Choose an example where you assessed a person’s needs or risk and contributed to an appropriate intervention or care plan. Explain your reasoning and the outcome.
Therapeutic communication
Show how you built rapport with a person who was distressed, reluctant or experiencing a complex situation. Include the communication choices that helped.
Multidisciplinary practice
Explain how you worked with clinicians, families, carers, community services or other partners. Show how you contributed to a shared plan.
Documentation and professional judgement
Describe how you recorded information, managed confidentiality and made decisions within your professional and organisational responsibilities.
Recovery-focused and culturally responsive practice
Give evidence of working with the person’s goals, strengths, culture and support network while maintaining a safe service response.
Example application structure
1. Opening: State your interest in the Acute Care Service and summarise your social work experience.
2. Assessment example: Explain a complex assessment, the action taken and the result.
3. Communication: Show how you supported a person or family through a difficult interaction.
4. Teamwork: Give evidence of multidisciplinary collaboration and clear handover.
5. Professional practice: Address documentation, confidentiality, safety and culturally responsive work.
6. Closing: Confirm your interest in Northern NSW Local Health District and the full-time or part-time position that suits you.
Before you submit
Before submitting, check the NSW Health portal for the final document requirements, professional eligibility conditions, screening information and application questions. Re-read the official job ad and make sure each example explains the assessment, consultation, decision and care outcome.
If the application includes a cover letter, the free NSW cover letter template can help you shape the evidence. For tailored support with the complete application, visit the Team 3Thirty application support page.