Our purpose is to provide safe, culturally appropriate and affordable accommodation for First Nations people who need to be away from home to access medical services, education and economic opportunities.
Across its network of hostels, dedicated Aboriginal Hostels Limited (AHL) staff provide accommodation and meals for residents in a supportive environment, assisted by local First Nations service providers and referral agencies.
AHL also supports the Australian Government’s efforts to improve economic outcomes for First Nations people. By purchasing goods and services from First Nations businesses at every opportunity, we help support a more inclusive economy. We are proud to be one of the largest employers of First Nations people in the Australian Public Service.
Our Secondary Education Hostels are dedicated to providing a Home Away from Home for Indigenous Australians (aged 12-18 years) attending partner schools (grades 7 - 12). Our commitment in our student hostels is to ensure that we provide a fair, honest and culturally respectful environment that values each student and their connection to country.
As Deputy Head of Boarding
You will be critical in assisting in the management and supervision of the day to day operations of the hostel to ensure appropriate pastoral care is provided to students. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to the educational, social and cultural development of young First Nations students. You will play a key part in the leadership for Residential Youth Workers and Hostel Workers, and contact for students, teachers, parents and stakeholders. You will have prior management experience and be able to assist in managing staff matters as well as difficult student situations and behaviours.
Successful candidates will need to demonstrate:
Understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and issues affecting First Nations peoples.
Proven staff management experience and ability to handle difficult student situations and behaviours.
Proven ability to support outcomes for First Nations peoples.
Demonstrated ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with First Nations peoples.
Ability to uphold high ethical youth worker practices and principles, including duty of care towards young people, maintaining confidentiality and respecting privacy of individuals, and be transparent, honest and maintaining appropriate boundaries with them.
Benefits:
Competitive Pay & Benefits: $79,125 — $86,246 per annum. You'll receive an above-award salary, 15.4% superannuation, and generous leave entitlements to make sure you're well Looked after.
Regular salary packaging options for vehicles, superannuation and laptops etc PLUS, ability to salary sacrifice $15,900 per FBT year for rent, mortgage or living expenses. This benefit reduces taxable income, increasing fortnightly take-home pay.
Generous shift penalties apply for work on weekends and public holidays. This role requires weekend work - 50% penalty rates apply for Saturday, and 100% penalty rates apply for Sunday.
Training opportunities: Induction training, Corporate Induction; Job Specific Orientation, AHL Child Protection Framework Training, AHL Toolbox Talk Training.
Free Accommodation (subject to availability) – The Deputy Head of Boarding is offered onsite shared staff housing.
Meals provided when eating with students.
Paid Leave during School Holidays - 4 weeks Annual Leave (to be used in school holiday periods only) PLUS, 6-8 weeks paid Close Down leave during school holiday periods. Note: staff may be asked to work up to 2 weeks in total during the school holidays to undertake training, relief work, and hostel preparation for new term or hostel closedown.
Eligibility
Be an Australian Citizen.
Undergo a Satisfactory National Criminal History Check (prior to engagement)
Meet Fitness for Duty requirements (prior to engagement)
Hold and maintain a Working with Children Check in NT (prior to engagement)
Essential Qualifications and Training:
First Aid Certificate, Emergency Warden Training, Food Safety Supervisor Certificate and/or ability to obtain these qualifications in the first six months of employment.Training is provided by AHL where required.
Have a current driving licence or light rigid (LR) licence.
How to apply
Complete the Application Form available from our website www.ahl.gov.au/work
Email your current Resume and completed Application Form to jobs@ahl.gov.au by 11:59pm ACST on Sunday 05 April 2026
Please include your name and the job reference (VN-0768089) in the subject of your email.
Contact Officer: Denise O’Neill – 08 7904 0278