Welfare Advisor

PRIMARY DETAIL

Annual base salary from $111,643 - $121,045 per annum (HEW Level 7) + 17% superannuation and annual leave loading
Full-time, continuing role
Onsite based at Macquarie University, Wallumattagal Campus, North Ryde

Macquarie University is seeking an experienced and compassionate Welfare Advisor to join the Student Wellbeing team within the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Dean of Students). This is a meaningful opportunity to directly impact the lives of students by providing high-quality welfare support, timely intervention, and coordinated care pathways.

In this role, you'll work at the heart of student wellbeing, helping students navigate personal, financial, health, and social challenges while ensuring they have access to the right support at the right time. You'll also play a key leadership role in coordinating welfare programs for international students under 18, supervising team members, and contributing to the continuous improvement of wellbeing services across the University.

Due to the collaborative nature of this role, we’re looking for someone who can be based onsite. This will help you connect quickly with key stakeholders and immerse yourself in the work from day one. We do support flexible working as needs arise.

About the Role

Reporting to the Manager, Care & Welfare, the Welfare Advisor provides expert welfare support and guidance to students experiencing a broad range of personal and welfare challenges. Key responsibilities include:

• Student Welfare Support: Provide high-quality guidance to students on matters including academic adjustment, accommodation, financial stress, family or relationship issues, health concerns, legal matters, work rights, and social challenges. Deliver short-term case management and ongoing welfare support, including assessing, managing, and escalating risk presentations as required.
• Risk Assessment & Escalation: Identify and escalate potential risks in line with University policies, including intentions of harm to self or others, first symptoms of psychosis, and disclosures related to Gender-Based Violence (GBV). Coordinate referrals to external services including Emergency Services, Acute Mental Health Teams, and General Practitioners.
• Program Leadership: Coordinate the International Under 18 and Under 17 Care, Accommodation & Welfare Program, including supervision of the Welfare Officer and oversight of student caseloads.
• Financial Hardship: Oversee wellbeing guidance for student financial hardship cases, including assessment, referrals, and follow-ups.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Manage faculty relationships with Student Wellbeing, acting as an escalation point for staff managing welfare concerns. Develop and maintain relationships with external organisations to ensure referral pathways remain current and effective.
• Service Promotion: Support the promotion of Student Wellbeing initiatives through communication campaigns, awareness activities, and proactive engagement, including contributions to Thrive Hub activations, Kickstart, and other University events.
• Governance & Compliance: Prepare reports for key stakeholders and ensure compliance with relevant legislation, University policies, TEQSA, and ESOS requirements. Identify opportunities to enhance service quality through data-informed practice.

About Us

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) is the Chief Academic Officer of the University, with overall responsibility for the planning, quality and delivery of education to Macquarie's undergraduate and postgraduate students. Within this portfolio, the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Dean of Students) leads student support services and student experience, encompassing Student Life, Student Integrity and Compliance, and Student Wellbeing. The Student Wellbeing team is central to creating a safe and supportive environment where all students can navigate challenges, access integrated support, and achieve their academic and personal goals.

About You

You are a skilled welfare professional who brings both empathy and expertise to complex student-facing work. With a strong background in welfare or wellbeing support - ideally within higher education or community services - you are adept at managing sensitive situations, coordinating across teams, and driving service improvements.

Selection Criteria

• Degree in Health, Social Work, Psychology, Education, Law, or a related discipline, and/or equivalent experience in a welfare or wellbeing setting.
• Demonstrated experience providing welfare and wellbeing support within a complex environment, preferably in higher education or community services.
• Strong understanding of the Australian higher education sector and CRICOS, including student experience, wellbeing, safety and inclusion frameworks for both domestic and international students.
• Proven ability to assess, manage and escalate risk presentations, and to provide effective support to students with accessibility, health or personal challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and external support agencies to coordinate effective welfare responses.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage professionally and sensitively with students in complex or distressing situations.
• Organisational and problem-solving skills, with the capacity to manage competing priorities while maintaining confidentiality and attention to detail.

How to Apply

To be considered, please apply online with your CV and a cover letter outlining how your experience aligns with the selection criteria (above).

Applications Close: 14 April 2026

We reserve the right to progress or decline an application or close the advert prior to the application closing date.

For enquiries, or a confidential conversation about the role please contact Melinda Varhegyi, Manager CARE & Welfare.

Why Join Us?

Macquarie is a university engaged with the real and often complex problems and opportunities that define our lives. Since our foundation over 60 years ago, we have aspired to be a different type of university. Over the years, we have grown to become the centre of a vibrant local and global community. Connect with us today.

We rank amongst the top employers in the Australian Workplace Employers Index. Explore the fantastic benefits available to you when you become part of the team at Macquarie University.

• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements
• 17% Superannuation
• Subsidised onsite parking options
• Extensive training and professional development programs
• Onsite childcare facilities to support working parents
• Onsite vacation care during school holidays
• Discounted health insurance
• Subsidised membership at our Sport & Aquatic Centre
• Access to an Employee Assistance Program for free and confidential support
• Convenient onsite GP, imaging, and physiotherapy clinics