Permanent 3 Days a Week
Protecting the Vulnerable | Promoting a Culture of Safety | Serving with Integrity
About the Diocese
The Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes spans more than half of New South Wales and serves vibrant parish communities across regional and remote Australia. Guided by the Gospel and the mission of the Catholic Church, we are committed to ensuring the safety, dignity and wellbeing of all children, young people and adults at risk.
We are seeking an experienced and compassionate Safeguarding Officer to lead and coordinate safeguarding and child protection initiatives across the Diocese.
About the Role
Reporting directly to the Bishop, this is a dual-function role responsible for both safeguarding leadership and the provision of high-level administrative support to the Diocese.
The role leads the Diocese’s safeguarding and child protection responsibilities, ensuring compliance with legislative and Church requirements, fostering a culture of safeguarding, and providing advice, training and support across diocesan ministries and parishes.
In addition (workload permitting) the role provides high-level executive, governance and administrative support to the Bishop and Diocese. This includes the preparation of confidential correspondence, reports, submissions and meeting documentation, maintenance of diocesan records and registers, project coordination, policy administration and other operational responsibilities as required.
A significant component of the role involves the management and maintenance of detailed and accurate records. The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring safeguarding, compliance and diocesan documentation is maintained to the highest professional standards, recognising that comprehensive record keeping is fundamental to accountability, transparency and organisational integrity.
Working within a highly sensitive and regulated environment, the successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgement, emotional resilience, discretion and a trauma-informed approach when responding to complex matters.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and promote safeguarding practices across the Diocese in accordance with the National Catholic Safeguarding Standards and Child Safe Standards.
- Ensure compliance with the Children’s Guardian Act 2019 (NSW), Working with Children Check requirements, Reportable Conduct Scheme obligations and Child Protection legislation.
- Coordinate and oversee safeguarding investigations, including liaising with external investigators and relevant authorities.
- Maintain safeguarding registers, records and reporting systems to ensure compliance and accountability.
- Develop, deliver and facilitate safeguarding and child protection training for clergy, employees and volunteers.
- Provide advice and support regarding safeguarding concerns, complaints and enquiries.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with parishes, clergy, diocesan agencies, Catholic schools, CatholicCare and external safeguarding networks.
- Monitor emerging safeguarding risks and recommend improvements to policies, procedures and practices.
- Prepare professional reports, submissions, correspondence and briefing papers.
- Support the Bishop and Vicar General in advancing the Diocese’s safeguarding commitments.
- Provide high-level executive and administrative support to the Bishop, Vicar General and the Diocese, including the preparation of confidential correspondence, reports, submissions, meeting documentation, records management and compliance reporting. The role may also undertake other administrative, governance and project responsibilities from time to time in support of the broader mission and operations of the Diocese.
- Maintain comprehensive, accurate and confidential safeguarding, compliance and case management records, ensuring all documentation is recorded, stored and managed in accordance with legislative, diocesan and professional standards. This role relies heavily on detailed record keeping, document management and the maintenance of accurate registers to support compliance, accountability and organisational integrity.
About You
The successful applicant will possess:
- A commitment to the mission and values of the Catholic Church.
- Qualifications and/or experience in teaching, social work, welfare, community services, law, compliance, safeguarding, child protection or a related field.
- Demonstrated experience working in a highly regulated environment involving sensitive and confidential information.
- Excellent communication, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills.
- The ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.
- Exceptional organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to manage competing priorities.
- Emotional resilience and the capacity to work with challenging and confronting subject matter in a professional and trauma-informed manner.
Essential Requirements
- Current NSW Working With Children Check or willingness to obtain.
- National Police Check (or willingness to undergo one).
- Unrestricted Australian work rights.
- Current driver’s licence and willingness to travel within the Diocese.
Why Join Us?
This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful difference within one of Australia’s largest dioceses. You will play a pivotal role in strengthening safeguarding culture, supporting vulnerable people and contributing to the mission of the Catholic Church across regional and remote communities.
We offer:
- A supportive and purpose-driven workplace.
- Professional development opportunities.
- Flexible working arrangements where appropriate.
- The opportunity to contribute to lasting organisational and cultural change.
- Meaningful work that positively impacts communities throughout the Diocese.
Applications
Applications should include:
- A cover letter addressing your suitability for the role.
- A current resume.
For further information or to obtain a Position Description, please contact:
The Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes
Email: helen.redden@wf.catholic.org.au
Phone: 0268539340
Applications close: Friday, 10th July 2026
A competitive salary will be negotiated with the successful candidate based on experience and expertise
The Diocese of Wilcannia-Forbes is wholly committed to ensuring the safety, wellbeing and dignity of all children, young people and adults at risk and acknowledges its legal, moral and spiritual responsibility to provide safe and nurturing environments for all.