Careers
Working or volunteering for Very Special Kids offers a unique, rewarding and fulfilling opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of children, young people and families facing childhood life-limiting illness. Our circa 100 employees and more than 600 volunteers provide essential, free-of-charge paediatric palliative care services across Victoria.
Culture at Very Special Kids
At Very Special Kids, we cultivate a nurturing and inclusive culture that prioritises the empowerment, support, and safety of our team members as they care for children and families.
We value teamwork, collaboration, and personal growth, creating a positive atmosphere that encourages professional development and wellbeing.
Our goal is for our workforce to reflect the diverse community we serve. We continually seek to employ people of any gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, with a disability, Aboriginal Australians and varied cultural backgrounds.
Why work at Very Special Kids
Learning and development – we are committed to providing programs and opportunities to develop and maintain a highly skilled workforce, including formal and on the job training, and professional development allowance.
Benefits – employees can access discounted health insurance, wellbeing support, an immunisation program, a very special discounts program and free onsite parking.
Careers – we offer generous study leave and study assistance to all employees, a learning and development allowance and annual performance reviews.
Compensation – as a not-for-profit organisation, all employees are entitled to salary packaging benefits including novated car leasing and generous leave entitlements. Service delivery staff receive added value through their enterprise agreement.
Meet some team members
Meg - family support team leader
Meg has been with Very Special Kids since 2013 and worked with us in the early 2000s. Meg is the Team Leader of our highly professional Family Support Team.
Meg has a Bachelor of Science Health from the University of Texas, San Antonio, a Bachelor of Social Work, and a Master of Social Work, both from the University of Melbourne. She is also undertaking a PhD at the University of Melbourne, researching the lived experiences of bereaved siblings aged 5years to 12years. Her specific areas of practice include grief and bereavement counselling and support, psychosocial support, advocacy, play-based counselling with children, children’s rights, community education and program development.
Meg facilitates the Very Special Kids Children’s Advisory Group, where members are responsible for sharing ideas, views, insights, reflections and providing input into the way Very Special Kids supports children within the organisation.
Meg is EPEC paediatrics trained and is a member of the International Work Group of Death, Dying and Bereavement.
Cat - donor relations lead
Cat joined Very Special Kids in May 2021 after many years working with children’s charities.
The former primary school teacher is now part of the team who raise the valuable funds that keeps Very Special Kids open and free to families. “Knowing that every dollar I am able to raise goes towards the crucial programs and services helping the very special children and families in our care, keeps me motivated.”
And on working with Very Special Kids, Cat says: “I feel grateful every single day to work for Very Special Kids – what a very special bunch of people! You’d be hard pressed to find a more rewarding and heart-warming organisation to work for. All our colleagues live and breathe the ethos, and as a result I get to work with such kind, caring and genuine people every day.”
Belinda - physiotherapist
Belinda joined the team in 2017, in a newly created physiotherapy role at our children’s hospice, Very Special Kids House.
Belinda has relished the opportunity to develop the therapeutic offering in the hospice, helping children to do the things that really matter to them and their families. “There are so many more experiences for children and young people in the new hospice. In particular the hydrotherapy pool has become a popular facility where they can have fun, relax, exercise and play”.
Belinda says “While there are moments of sadness, there are also many magical moments of joy and making the most of every day. Very Special Kids is without a doubt my favourite place to work and I am certain I have the best job in the hospice!”
Current vacancies
Corporate partnership specialist
Permanent part time position
We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Corporate Partnership Specialist to join our Fundraising and Marketing team at Very Special Kids. This is a unique opportunity to lead strategic corporate engagement and drive revenue growth through meaningful partnerships that support children and young people with life-limiting conditions.
The role is located at our Malvern location where our purpose built Very Special Kids House co-locates. Our new state-of-the-art hospice (including hydrotherapy pool) is a world class facility that provides support to the children and young people in our care. You will enjoy one of Melbourne’s most unique purpose-built workplaces.
Working at Very Special Kids, the Corporate Partnership Specialist role reports to the Philanthropy Manager and is responsible to:
– Identify, cultivate, and secure long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with corporate partners.
– Develop and implement tailored partnership strategies, proposals, and stewardship plans.
– Collaborate across teams to align corporate support with fundraising campaigns, events, programs and volunteering opportunities.
– Represent Very Special Kids at external engagements and contribute to brand visibility.
– Manage CRM records and reporting to track partnership performance and pipeline development.
About you
– 7+ years’ experience in fundraising, donor engagement, or corporate relationship management
– Proven success in securing and managing corporate partnerships and sponsorships.
– Strong communication, networking, and negotiation skills.
– Experience with CRM systems (preferably Salesforce) and financial reporting.
– Passion for the mission of Very Special Kids and empathy for families facing life-limiting conditions.
Click here for position description.
Applications are open until Friday 28 November, however we will be reviewing applications as they are received and may conduct interviews prior to the closing date. Please include a cover letter, addressing the key selection criteria and an updated copy of your resume via jobs@vsk.org.au.
Paediatric physiotherapist
Permanent position up to full time hours
We are currently seeking a passionate and experienced Grade 2 or Grade 3 Physiotherapist to join our clinical team at Very Special Kids. If you’re looking for meaningful work that makes a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
The role is located at our purpose built Very Special Kids House, in Malvern. Our new state-of-the-art hospice (including hydrotherapy pool) is a world class facility to support the complex needs of the children and young people in our care. You will enjoy one of Melbourne’s most unique purpose-built workplaces.
Working in our Sister Margaret Noone Hospice, the Physiotherapist is responsible for:
– Delivering individualised physiotherapy services, including hydrotherapy, respiratory and musculoskeletal care, aligned with children’s existing care plans
– Work collaboratively within the multidisciplinary hospice clinical team to support holistic care for children and young people.
– Provide education to Hospice staff and supervise physiotherapy students to build capability and ensure safe practice.
About you
– We are seeking an experienced Grade 2 or Grade 3 Physiotherapist
– Registered Physiotherapist with AHPRA
– Minimum 2–3 years post-graduate experience in paediatrics and/or disability
– Experience in hydrotherapy, respiratory care, and musculoskeletal support
– Strong communication skills, including working with verbal and non-verbal children and families
– Commitment to child-safe practices and ongoing professional development
Click here for position description.
Applications are open until Friday 28 November. Please include a cover letter, addressing the key selection criteria and an updated copy of your resume via jobs@vsk.org.au. We will review applications as they are received.
Endorsed enrolled nurse
Full and part time positions available
We are currently seeking passionate and dedicated Endorsed Enrolled Nurses to join our clinical team at Very Special Kids. If you’re looking for meaningful work that makes a real difference in the lives of children, young people, and their families, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.
The role is located at our purpose built Very Special Kids House, in Malvern. Our new state-of-the-art hospice (including hydrotherapy pool) is a world class facility to support the complex needs of the children and young people in our care. You will enjoy one of Melbourne’s most unique purpose-built workplaces.
Working in our Sister Margaret Noone Hospice, Enrolled Nurses are responsible for:
– Provide safe, evidence-based nursing care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse.
– Collaborate with the hospice clinical team to deliver holistic care to children and young people.
– Participate in therapy programs, school holiday activities, and support allied health initiatives.
– Maintain accurate clinical documentation and contribute to quality and safety processes.
About you
– AHPRA registered as an Enrolled Nurse (with endorsement)
– Minimum 1-year post-graduate experience, ideally in paediatrics, palliative care, or disability
– Experience with nasogastric tubes, tracheostomy and gastrostomy care (preferred)
– Strong communication and interpersonal skills
– Commitment to ongoing professional development and child-safe practices
Click here for position description.
Applications are open until Wednesday 26 November. Please include a cover letter, addressing the key selection criteria and an updated copy of your resume via jobs@vsk.org.au. We will review applications as they are received.
Commercial cook
Permanent part time
We are seeking a Part-Time Commercial Cook to lead the kitchen operations at Very Special Kids House in Malvern. This is a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact by preparing nutritious, personalised meals for children and young people with life-limiting conditions.
The role will be located at our purpose built Very Special Kids House, located in Malvern. Our new state-of-the-art hospice (including hydrotherapy pool) will be a world class facility to support the complex needs of the children and young people in our care. You will enjoy one of Melbourne’s most unique purpose-built workplaces.
As a key member of our hospice team, you will be responsible for preparing and coordinating meals that meet the individual dietary needs of children and young people in our care. This includes family-style meals and specialised diets such as texture-modified meals and PEG feeding. You’ll ensure meals are prepared safely, sensitively, and in alignment with each child’s clinical and cultural needs.
Key Responsibilities
– Plan and prepare daily menus in line with paediatric dietary guidelines.
– Collaborate with nursing and intake teams to understand individual feeding requirements.
– Order and manage kitchen supplies to ensure consistent availability.
– Maintain high standards of food safety, hygiene, and allergen management.
– Provide catering support for small-scale events.
– Supervise and support volunteers in the kitchen.
About you
– Certificate in Commercial Cookery or equivalent
– Experience in healthcare, disability, or aged care settings
– Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and dietary guidelines
– Ability to prepare meals for diverse cultural and medical needs
– Excellent communication and teamwork skills
– Empathy and alignment with Very Special Kids guiding principles.
Click here for position description.
Applications are open until Friday 7 November. Please include a cover letter, addressing the key selection criteria and an updated copy of your resume via jobs@vsk.org.au. We will review applications as they are received.
Personal care workers
Permanent part time – 0.4 to 0.7 FTE available
We currently have a number of opportunities for part time Personal Care Workers to join our team. If you are passionate about caring for children and young people are seeking more purpose, fulfilment, and connection in your everyday work – Very Special Kids might be your perfect fit.
The role will be located at our purpose built Very Special Kids House, located in Malvern. Our new state-of-the-art hospice (including hydrotherapy pool) will be a world class facility to support the complex needs of the children and young people in our care. You will enjoy one of Melbourne’s most unique purpose-built workplaces.
Personal Care Workers are responsible for:
– The delivery of individualised, high quality holistic care to children and young people and their families accessing Very Special Kids
– Working effectively as part of a skilled, creative, professional, and compassionate team.
– Participate in the coordination of play, therapies and activities for the children and young people at Very Special Kids
– Assist and support the Allied Health and Nursing team in the delivery of programmes and care.
Our preference is that you will have at least 12 months previous experience working with children within the health, disability, and/or the palliative care sector, or in aged care along with a Cert III in Disability or similar qualification. If you have less experience but have a passion for providing holistic, family centred care we welcome your application.
Click here for position description.
When applying, please include a cover letter, addressing the key selection criteria and an updated copy of your resume via jobs@vsk.org.au. We will review applications as they are received.
