Job Description

• Lead one of Australia’s most comprehensive university student health, safety and wellbeing portfolios, to enhance student success.
• Oversee multidisciplinary primary prevention, early intervention, clinical, mental health, and wellbeing services.
• Full-time appointment on an ongoing basis.
• Competitive salary package plus 17% superannuation.

About the area

The Directorate of Student Life and Community sits within UWA’s Education and Student Experience Portfolio and plays a critical role in delivering a world-class student experience. Through an integrated approach across the student lifecycle, the Directorate promotes access, inclusion, belonging, safety, wellbeing, positive conduct and student success.

As part of this Directorate, Student Health and Wellbeing leads the strategic delivery of UWA’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Framework and Safe, Respectful and Inclusive Communities Framework. The division provides integrated prevention, early intervention and support services through psychology, wellbeing, complex case management and medical services, ensuring students have access to high-quality, evidence-informed care and support throughout their university journey

About the opportunity

• Provide strategic leadership for a multidisciplinary division, guiding mental health and wellbeing, safe and respectful communities, complex case management and medical services to deliver safe, high-quality and student-centred outcomes.
• Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of university-wide mental health, wellbeing, safety and inclusion frameworks, policies and initiatives that enhance student engagement, resilience and academic success.
• Partner with senior university leaders, academic areas, student associations and residential colleges to strengthen health, safety and wellbeing outcomes across the UWA community.

About you

• Postgraduate qualifications in counselling, psychology, social work or another relevant allied health discipline, with current professional registration.
• Extensive senior leadership experience within complex health, wellbeing, mental health or human services environments, including responsibility for strategy, governance and service delivery.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams, influencing organisational direction and driving large-scale initiatives, programs or organisational change.
• Highly developed stakeholder engagement, communication and relationship management skills, with the ability to build trusted partnerships and provide expert advice to senior leaders.
• Strong experience managing budgets, operational performance, governance, risk, compliance and quality assurance frameworks within regulated service environments.

Note Employment checks will include information on gender-based violence, sexual harassment, and related misconduct to meet legal obligations. A comprehensive background check and Working with Children Check will be required by the successful applicant.

PD [Associate Director, Student Health and Wellbeing] [524075].pdf

To learn more about this opportunity, please contact Fiona McAuliffe at fiona.mcauliffe@uwa.edu.au

For enquiries on the recruitment process, please contact Petrina Gomez at petrina.gomez@uwa.edu.au

How to apply

Please apply online via the Apply Now button. The content of your Resume and Cover Letter should demonstrate how you meet the selection criteria.

Closing date: 11:55 PM AWST on Sunday, 16 August 2026

This position is only open to applicants with relevant rights to work in Australia.

Please note: Unsolicited applications from recruitment agencies will not be accepted outside of formal channels.

About the University

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and a member of the prestigious Australian Group of Eight research intensive universities. With a strong research track record, vibrant campus and working environments, supported by the freedom to innovate and inspire, there is no better time to join Western Australia’s top university.

Learn more about us.

Our commitment to inclusion and diversity

UWA is committed to a diverse workforce and an equitable and inclusive workplace. We are committed to fostering a safe environment for all, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, women, those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the LGBTIQA+ community, and people living with disability.

If you require any reasonable adjustments, we encourage you to advise us at the time of application. Alternatively, you can contact us for assistance during the recruitment process.