Guidance Counsellor - Cairns Catholic Education Office - Servicing Holy Spirit College, Cooktown

Guidance Counsellor

Holy Spirit College, Cooktown

 

Commencement date:  Tuesday 6 October 2026

Employment type:  Full-time, permanent

Salary range:  $123,709 - $131,629 FTE gross per annum

Closing date for application:  5:00pm 23 September 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so please apply as soon as possible.

Catholic Education, Cairns

Our schools are nestled amongst ancient rainforests, pristine waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes and the spectacular Great Barrier Reef. And you can forget spending hours in the car or on a packed train. The hustle and bustle of the capital cities does not compare to our laid-back commute.

About the Role

The Guidance Counsellor role has a focus on fostering the development, mental health and resilience of all students, including those considered at-risk and those with special needs. This focus is achieved by applying guidance and counselling skills through direct and indirect processes and through systemic and individual interventions - thus contributing to equitable educational access, participation, and outcomes for all students. The Guidance Counsellor is a certified professional who works in partnership with the school by contributing specialised knowledge and skills in a collaborative, collegial manner.

Holy Spirit College - Cooktown

Are you looking for a unique lifestyle? Great work-life balance and the opportunity for camping, boating, fishing, hiking, climbing and general exploring in Cape York, a location with a rich history!

Located in Cooktown, only a 4-Hour drive from Cairns, this opportunity is ideal for a Guidance Counsellor seeking a rewarding remote opportunity with accommodation provided (if eligible).

The College is an initiative of the Diocese of Cairns and Catholic Education Services. The College offers individualised and flexible multiyear secondary education programs for young people disengaged from mainstream schooling. The College provides a variety of innovative teaching and learning practices that acknowledges young people’s complex education and social needs and empowers them to identify and pursue individual transition to adulthood, further education, employment, back to a mainstream school setting and importantly a connection to the community. Staff at the College will be multi-disciplinary in response to the diverse needs of young people and their families.

The College is a registered Special Assistance School across three campuses located within Edmonton. Manoora and the main campus in Cooktown. Cooktown has an enrolment of 38 young people. The Cooktown campus includes a 32-bed Years 7 to 12 residential unit for weekly boarders. While Manoora and Edmonton provide alternative educational pathways via day schooling for young people in Years 7 to 12.

Young people who attend Holy Spirit College include Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people disengaged from mainstream education for a range of reasons including:

• with a history of complex trauma;
• with a history of extended periods of unexplained absences;
• who are highly mobile;
• who have had contact with the juvenile justice system;
• in the care of the Office of Children and Families;
• with mental illness or at risk of engaging in self-harming behaviours or substance abuse;
• who have been excluded or repeatedly suspended from school;
• who are homeless;
• with a generational history of early school leaving and/or unemployment.

Work Requirements

• With Teacher Qualifications - Be registered or eligible to be registered with Queensland College of Teachers
• Without Teacher Qualifications - Hold a Working with Children Blue Card
• Be fully supportive of the ethos of Catholic Education
• Formal qualifications at Degree level are required in the disciplines of Education Psychology or Social Work and relevant post graduate experience
• Guidance Counsellors (Teacher) require registration with Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) and full membership of the Queensland Guidance Counsellor Association (QGCA) or general registration with Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA) or full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers
  (AASW)
• Guidance Counsellors (Non Teacher, Psychologists or Social Workers) require general registration with Psychology Board of Australia (AHPRA) or membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)

What we offer

• Competitive Salary range: per annum pending experience 
• 12.75% Employer Superannuation Contributions
• Annual Leave with 17.5% leave loading
• Access to salary packaging options to maximise your salary 
• Access to long service leave after 7 years of continuous service (portability of Long Service Leave may also be applicable)
• 14 Weeks’ paid parental leave
• Professional development and Early Career Teacher Support
• Access to Employee Assistance Program

To Apply

Select 'Apply Now' to submit your application.

For current employees, apply via the 'Employee Login' tab on the homepage of the Careers website.

Applications must include a resume and cover letter (not more than 3 pages). Applicants are requested to respond to the Essential Duties and Responsibilities as outlined in the position description, please outline your experience and include examples. Please clearly state which professional authority you are registered with and membership number (i.e. QCT, AHPRA, AASW and QGCA).

For further information about the role, please download the Position Description  School Counsellor Position Description

Please note applications will only be accepted via the Careers website.

Enquiries

P:  4050 9722

E:  ewladmin@cns.catholic.edu.au 

Intending applicants must be fully committed to creating and maintaining a child safe organisation.

To understand our commitment and initiatives to truth telling, healing and reconciliation view our Reconciliation Action Plan 

Catholic Education is an equal opportunity employer.