FAQs

Working at Uniting Communities means being part of a South Australian not-for-profit organisation that leads with kindness, bold ideas and genuine care.

Our people often describe UC as inclusive, supportive and purpose-driven – a place where you can grow, belong and make a real difference.

Every role here contributes to something bigger. Whether you’re supporting people directly or working behind the scenes, you’ll join a collaborative team that values connection and works together to enrich lives and strengthen communities across South Australia.

At Uniting Communities, you’ll find people from all walks of life – more than 1,100 staff and 350 volunteers who bring our mission to life across South Australia every day.

Our team includes social workers, support workers, counsellors, nurses, lawyers, hospitality staff, and many others. But what connects us goes beyond our job titles.

We’re united by care for people and the planet, and by a shared belief in doing what’s right – not just what’s easy. Together, we create communities where everyone can belong, grow and thrive.

At Uniting Communities, our values are simple but powerful: we are kind, bold and genuine.

We show kindness by caring deeply for people and treating everyone with respect.
We’re bold enough to challenge injustice and find new ways to create positive change.
And we’re genuine in our relationships, always acting with honesty and integrity.

Every person at UC brings these values to life in their own way, through compassion in action, courage in decision-making and authenticity in every interaction. Together, these values guide how we work, how we care and how we make a difference.

Everyone belongs at Uniting Communities. Inclusion is at the heart of who we are, and we celebrate diversity across culture, gender, age, ability and identity.

We’re proud of our active employee networks – supporting staff who identify as LGBTQIA+, people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and allies across UC.

Through Reconciliation and Cultural Development initiatives, Pride and Disability Inclusion networks, and ongoing learning opportunities, we’re continually striving to make UC a place where everyone feels safe, respected and valued for who they are.

When you join Uniting Communities, you’ll be supported to look after your whole self – at work and beyond. You’ll have access to wellbeing resources, confidential counselling through our EAP service, flexible work options (where possible), and a culture that encourages balance, belonging and care for one another.

We also run regular wellbeing initiatives and have a network of trained Wellbeing Officers across UC who provide peer support to staff and volunteers. Together, these supports help create a workplace where people feel safe, valued and able to thrive.

Uniting Communities offers competitive salaries under a range of enterprise agreements and awards, including SCHADS, Nursing, Aged Care and Retail.

Your pay and classification depend on your qualifications, experience and role, and we’ll talk these through with you during the application and interview process.

We’re committed to fair, transparent and equitable conditions that recognise the skills and contributions of every person who works with us.

Yes, as an eligible not-for-profit organisation, staff of Uniting Communities can access generous salary packaging benefits of up to $15,900 tax-free each year, helping your income go further.

You can also choose to access an optional meal and entertainment card through AccessPay for additional savings. Learn more about how salary packaging can make a real difference to your take-home pay.

If your role involves shift work, weekends or sleepovers, you’ll receive the appropriate penalty rates or allowances in line with your relevant award or enterprise agreement.

These details will be discussed during the recruitment process, so you know exactly what applies to your role.

Yes, where the role allows. Many positions offer flexibility to work from home or adjust hours around family, study or other commitments, while some require in-person connection to best support clients and teams.

We aim to find the right balance between service needs and staff wellbeing – creating flexibility that works for both you and the people we support.

Growth is part of the journey at Uniting Communities. From your first day, you’ll have access to internal workshops, leadership programs and professional development opportunities designed to support your goals and build your skills.

Many teams also offer support to attend conferences or pursue further study that aligns with your work – helping you keep learning, growing and making an impact.

Yes, at UC we believe in lifelong learning and encourage staff to continue building their skills and knowledge.

Where study aligns with your role and development goals, we may offer study support or flexible arrangements to help you balance work, learning and life.

Where relevant, yes. We encourage and support staff to maintain their professional registration, memberships and supervision, like AASW for social workers, AHPRA for nurses and allied health professionals, and PACFA for counsellors.

This helps ensure our people stay connected to best practice and continue to grow in their professional fields.

Absolutely. Many of our leaders began their careers in frontline or entry-level roles, growing through the opportunities and support available at Uniting Communities. Read one of their stories here.

We offer clear pathways for advancement through mentoring, internal development programs and access to new roles as they arise – helping you build a career that evolves with your goals.

Before you start, you’ll need the relevant clearances for your role. These may include:

• Working with Children Check
• NDIS Worker Screening
• National Police Check
• First Aid and CPR
• Child Safe Environments training

We’ll guide you through what’s required for your position and cover the cost of any medical assessment, if applicable.

Pre-employment clearances are your responsibility, but UC reimburses renewals for existing staff when required for their role.

All new starters at Uniting Communities complete an induction and mandatory training, including First Aid, Child Safe Environments, and Work Health and Safety.

You’ll also receive program-specific onboarding and guidance from your leader and team to help you feel confident, supported and ready to make a difference.

You’ll have regular check-ins with your line manager, team meetings, and opportunities for reflective practice. Roles such as counsellors, social workers and nurses also receive professional or clinical supervision.

At Uniting Communities, we work with people from many different backgrounds and life experiences – including older people, people living with disability, children, young people and families, and people experiencing housing, mental health or financial pressures.

We also provide culturally responsive support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and for people of diverse genders and sexualities.

Whether your role involves direct client contact or contributes through corporate, administrative or operational support, you’ll be helping to strengthen connection, wellbeing and independence across our communities.

Our clients and communities are at the heart of everything we do – but it takes a dedicated team behind the scenes to make that impact possible.

Alongside our frontline services, we have people working across areas like People and Culture, Finance, Quality and Safety, Technology Services, Advocacy, Communications and Marketing, Property, and Administration.

These teams keep Uniting Communities strong, connected and moving forward, so our frontline staff can focus on what matters most: supporting our communities to thrive.

Depending on your role, you might be based in one of our offices or community hubs, visit people in their homes, or deliver support directly in the community.

Some roles offer a mix of these settings, giving you the chance to connect with people and places across South Australia while making a real difference every day.

Some travel may be part of your role – particularly in community-based positions. Uniting Communities provides access to fleet vehicles or may reimburse kilometres between work locations, depending on the program you work in.

We know life outside work matters too. Where possible, we offer flexible options such as part-time hours, job sharing or adjusted shifts.

Yes, some roles – particularly in Aged Care, Youth Services and Crisis Support – provide 24-hour support and may include shift or weekend work.

Rosters are designed to balance service needs with staff wellbeing, ensuring fair and sustainable work patterns for our teams. These expectations will be outlined during the recruitment process.

If you have any other questions about working with Uniting Communities, our People and Culture team is here to help. You can email peopleandculture@unitingcommunities.org or call 08 8202 5111.