• Permanent Full-Time or Part-time Position
• Location: Cairns with Hybrid/ WFH Options!
• Must have qualifications in Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy
• Rewarding work - every day you know you are making a real difference

Life at Mission Australia

When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we stand together with anyone who needs us, for as long as they need us. Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity

Are you a Speech Pathologist or Occupational Therapist in Cairns looking to make a real difference?
Join Mission Australia as an Early Childhood Specialist and make a meaningful impact by supporting children aged 0-6 with developmental delays and children under 9 with disabilities.

As an NDIS Partner in the Community, we deliver the Early Childhood Approach. You'll provide family-centred, evidence-based support, working alongside a national team and Early Childhood Coordination (ECC) team to develop tailored strategies that empower children and families.

This role offers flexibility, with both full-time and part-time hours available, so you can achieve a great work-life balance-without the pressure of billable hours. You'll work across home, virtual, and community settings, applying your clinical expertise while supporting families to navigate services.

Experienced professionals can mentor others, while those seeking to grow will gain valuable experience in early intervention. Plus, you'll enjoy the tropical lifestyle in Cairns, with stunning natural beauty, the Great Barrier Reef, and the Daintree Rainforest right at your doorstep.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Work part of a national team to support children, families, and their carers to identify their strengths and areas they would like to improve.
• Utilise specialised expertise to share and collaborate with Early Childhood teams to achieve child and family outcomes.
• Ensure children and families have access to timely and specialised clinical developmental support.
• Conducting assessments in consultation with Early Childhood Coordinators.
• Implementing Family Support plans in either group or individual basis.
• Engaging and upskilling staff, as well as the broader community, on their specialised expertise in child development.

Requirements for Success

• Must hold qualifications in Speech Pathology or Occupational Therapy.
• Currently registered or able to be registered with Speech Pathology Australia or AHPRA.
• Experience in the Disability, Child, Youth, and Family Services sector.
• Knowledge of child development delays and/or disabilities.
• Strong communication skills and ability to engage stakeholders.
• Full, unrestricted driver's license and willingness to travel.

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Our Culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible.

So, whoever you are, if you're skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Early Childhood Specialist - Speech Pathology / OT enquiry via EthicalJobs, or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at [email protected].

Your benefits

• Rewarding work - every day you know you're making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
• Volunteering opportunities
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 
• Extra leave including Mission Australia Thank You Day & Work Anniversary Day off

If you're looking for a meaningful role in a supportive team, apply today!

How to Apply

Click 'Apply Now' and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications are shortlisted as they are received. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you.