Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) Graduate Programs & Internships

Participants apply online and are required to answer some short eligibility questions as well as provide some information on their experiences related to the role. It is also recommended that they attach a cover letter and CV to their application and they will need to enter their Working With Children Clearance number.
Applicants are offered a phone screen interview, with one of our leadership team. This gives us an opportunity to better understand the applicant's motivation for the role but also to provide greater role clarity to ensure it's a fit for the applicant.

Post a phone screen, successful applicants are offered an interview - either face to face or via zoom depending on where they are located. This is generally conducted with an Operational Leader and Discipline Supervisor or Practice Leader. Interviews take around 45 minutes and applicants are asked a mix of questions to determine their knowledge, skills and overall fit for the role. It's great if applicants can provide examples of real experiences when answering the questions. This can relate to student placements as we are aware new graduates will have less experience to draw from. Preferred candidates will then be asked to supply at least 2 referees and are required to complete an online functional assessment and a national/international police check (dependent on where they have lived in the past).

Successful Applicants will have:

• A tertiary qualification in either Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Psychology, Education
• Registration with AHPRA (as relevant to their discipline by the time of commencement of employment)
• Passion to engage with individuals on the autism spectrum and their families and carers
• Outstanding communication, written and presentation skills
• Excellent organisational skills for managing their caseload, scheduling their appointments and timely recording and uploading of case notes and reports
• Proven ability to establish rapport with participants and families and the ability to empower others to implement and maintain strategies
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Current valid driver's license, use of own vehicle for business purposes (reimbursed per kilometre) and willingness to travel across their local LGAs
• A professional set up in their home for report writing, accessing online meetings and conducting Teletherapy videoconferencing
• NDIS Worker Screening Check clearance - apply upon successful recruitment
• Appropriate Working With Children Check clearance check for paid employment in the State or Territory in which you work
• Current first aid qualification, CPR and anaphylaxis certificate (preferred)
   

Graduate therapist salaries start at around $70,000 (inclusive of superannuation and pro-rata for part-time). Therapists move through yearly step increases dependent on years of practice.

As a Public Benevolent Institution (PBI), Aspect provides all employees with the option to access Salary Sacrifice arrangements as a way to increase their take-home pay. The more your salary package, the more you'll increase your take-home pay.

Staff can nominate up to $15,900 per Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) year of your pre-tax income to cover your regular expenses such as:

• Rent or mortgage payments
• Credit card and personal loan payment
• Household utilities such as gas and electricity
• Any general living expenses such as groceries, clothing, petrol
• Entertainment Benefits

You can also nominate an additional $2,650 per FBT year to cover entertainment expenses such as:

• Dining expenses
• Taxi fares to and from the restaurant
• Holiday accommodation
• Reception venue hire and catering costs
• Buying a car with a Novated Lease
• You can reduce your pre-tax income to cover the cost of purchasing and running your own car.

Therapists have the opportunity to progress their career through:

• Being involved in projects & research
• Supporting student placements
• Working with Allied Health Assistants
• Progressing onto leadership positions such as Clinical Supervisors, Discipline Practice Leaders and Operational Leaders
• Moving across to other teams within the large organisation

There are opportunities to travel within the role (relevant travel expenses including a kilometric allowance are paid) and relocation across states is possible.