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Guidance Officers

The Department of Education and Training's vision for a creative and clever Queensland is built on a quality education system and is supported through the provision of a comprehensive guidance and counselling services for students and their families.

Guidance Officers are committed to providing quality education services to enhance the education opportunities for every young Queenslander within our primary, secondary and special schools.

What do they do?

Guidance officers work closely with students and their families, teachers, non-teaching professionals and in some instances departmental agencies and authorities. They do this in order to provide a wide range of support to students. A Guidance Officer's responsibilities include:

working directly with students and teachers, support personnel, family and other specialists/professionals
providing guidance and counselling services to students and their families
performing case management and referral services to optimise students' access and engagement in education
preparing and implementing professional and personal skill development programs for administrators, teachers and parents
working collaboratively with other school-based support personnel to assess and address the needs of students
planning or assisting in planning support programs that can help students achieve positive outcomes
identifying factors that can be barriers to the learning and development of students
supporting the personal and social development of students
providing advice about education and career pathways.

Where do they work?

Guidance Officers are appointed to regions and work in state schools across Queensland, including primary, secondary and special school settings. Opportunities as a Guidance Officer exist within schools across the metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas of Queensland.

What attributes do they need?

As Guidance Officers support the social and emotional development of groups and individuals in the school community, extending into health and welfare issues, it is essential that they possess specific attributes to successfully achieve this. These include:

a desire to work with children
strong and effective communication skills
ability to work both as part of a team and independently, in a diverse range of environments
excellent organisational and time management skills
patience and a flexible attitude.

What eligibility criteria applies for those wishing to undertake the role of a Guidance Officer?

There are a number of key criteria that need to be met in order to become a Guidance Officer in Queensland state schools and departmental facilities across Queensland including:

full registration or eligibility for full registration as a teacher in Queensland. Information on registration requirements is available from the Queensland College of Teachers .
a minimum of two (2) years full-time, supervised experience working with children and/or young people in an education, child protection or counselling environment
one year (minimum) full-time (or part-time equivalent) coursework Masters, majoring in guidance and counselling.

Full registration as a psychologist within Queensland in accordance with the provisions of the Psychologists Registration Act 2001 or a fourth year qualification in psychology that will enable full registration as a psychologist within Queensland in accordance with the provisions of the Psychologists Registration Act 2001, following completion of the Supervised Practice Program.

Qualifications which in the opinion of the Director-General of Education and Training are deemed acceptable.

How do I know what Psychology course to select in order to have full registration as a psychologist?

There are a number of Higher Education Institutions within Australia that offer degrees or courses in Psychology. These institutions have different prerequisites and some have flexible entry requirements. For a full list of universities within Australia that provide courses in Psychology please refer to the Psychology Board of Australia's website .

It is advised that you contact the individual institutions listed should you require further information in relation to the courses.

What are the benefits of being a Guidance Officer?

flexible work arrangements
competitive salaries
substantial leave entitlements
generous superannuation contributions
professional development opportunities.

Where and when are positions advertised?

Guidance officer vacancies are advertised once every semester on the Queensland Government's Smart Jobs and Careers website . Advertising is generally for state-wide locations with applicants nominating preferred geographic locations. Hard to fill locations may be advertised in-between recruitment rounds. Appointment to these roles is open to applicants not currently employed by the Department.

Temporary vacancies are also advertised on the Queensland Government's Smart Jobs and Careers website .

Further Information

To find out more about a career as a Guidance Officer, download the detailed position description on the department's website.

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This page was last reviewed on 04 May 2011 at 01:28PM