Senior Lecturer in Social Work (Professional Practice & Workforce Readiness)

Position Details 

• Continuing position | Full time
• Academic Level C | AU$141,370 - $ 162,619 pa | 17% Superannuation
• Location: Bedford Park / Kaurna Country
• View Position Description

About the Position:

Flinders University is entering an exciting period of innovation and growth in Social Work education, under its Impact. With Purpose Agenda 2035 strategy, with a strong focus on student success, workforce readiness, and community impact. We are seeking a Senior Lecturer in Social Work (Professional Practice and Workforce Readiness) to provide academic leadership in the design and delivery of practice-focused, industry-aligned education, responding directly to sector demand for work-ready graduates.

This teaching-focused role offers an opportunity to lead initiatives that bridge theory and practice through field education, curriculum innovation, and workforce partnerships. You will play a key role in aligning academic programs with accreditation standards and industry expectations, ensuring graduates are equipped with the applied skills, professional judgement, and ethical capabilities required for contemporary social work practice.

In this position, you will:

• Lead high-quality teaching, course coordination, and curriculum design with a strong focus on professional practice and student success
• Provide leadership in field education, including placement models, practice assessment, and preparation of students for complex environments
• Drive curriculum innovation and continuous improvement to ensure programs remain responsive to workforce and policy changes
• Build and sustain strong industry and community partnerships to support placements and enhance graduate employability
• Contribute to academic leadership, accreditation, and quality assurance activities within the discipline and College

About You
You are an experienced social work academic or practitioner with a strong commitment to practice excellence, student success, and workforce readiness. You bring deep expertise in field education and professional practice, with the ability to lead curriculum innovation and build meaningful partnerships across the sector. You are a collaborative and inclusive leader who values cultural humility and is passionate about preparing graduates to thrive in complex and evolving practice environments.

You will demonstrate:

• A PhD in Social Work (highly desirable) or an equivalent qualification and/or combination of postgraduate study and extensive teaching expertise, along with eligibility for membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• Leadership in professional practice and field education
• Excellence in teaching, course coordination, and curriculum design
• Experience in accreditation, quality assurance, and industry engagement
•  Strong communication skills and a commitment to inclusive, collaborative practice

Life at Flinders 

We're transforming and investing in people and facilities to create contemporary, stimulating, and satisfying learning and work environments that reflect our core values of excellence, innovation, courage, and integrity. Flinders is refocusing its strategic priorities with the aim of elevating its performance to be a top ten Australian university, and amongst the top 1% in the world. 

Reaching beyond the limits of buildings, borders, and backgrounds, ours is an inclusive culture that believes absolutely in equality and opportunity for all. We don't just accommodate differences; we embrace and celebrate them. So, why work at Flinders? 

• 17% Superannuation + salary packaging options 
• Wide range of professional development activities, funds and services, such as Flinders University’s Researcher Development and Leadership Programs.
• We are the first university in South Australia to receive the prestigious SAGE Cygnet Award, recognising our outstanding commitment to fostering an inclusive environment.
• Join a multidisciplinary team that values collaboration, innovation, and provides strong mentorship to support both early career staff.
• Access to state-of-the-art advanced facilities, including an on-site gym, cafes and childcare centre.

Our Commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous Employment 

Flinders University is proud to be an organisation that is committed to our Reconciliation Action Plan and Indigenous Workforce Strategy. Our vision is to be a preferred employer for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.  We are committed to progressing Indigenous advancement in education, research, employment, and wellbeing, and strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for all Flinders vacancies. 

• Please see here for our Reconciliation Action Plan  
• Please see here for our Indigenous Workforce Strategy 

Prescribed Conditions for Employment

• A current Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check which is satisfactory to the University will be required by Flinders University before the successful applicant can commence in this position. A criminal record will not automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration. Each case will be assessed on its individual merits and relevance to the inherent requirements of the role.
• In addition, it is a requirement of this position that the incumbent maintain a current Working With Children Check which is satisfactory to the University in accordance with the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 (SA).

How to Apply and Information 

• You are required to submit a CV, along with a Suitability Statement of no more than 3 pages, addressing the below Key Position Capabilities of the position description
• For more information regarding this position, please contact Professor Kathomi Gatwiri

Applications to be submitted before 10:00 pm (ACST) on Sunday, 31 May 2026.

Please note, late applications and applications sent via agencies will not be accepted. 

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities. 

Certification

Applications to be submitted before 10.00pm:

31 May 2026

At Flinders we embrace and celebrate diversity and encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and people of all ages, ethnicities, abilities, sexual orientations, and gender identities.

Flinders. Fearless.