Applications for the 2025 Child Protection Employment Program have closed.
The Child Protection Employment Program (CPEP) is a paid employment program where you experience what it is like to work in child protection.
Program participants work in a structured and supportive learning environment alongside experienced practitioners to experience the child protection role.
About Child Protection
The work in child protection is varied. A typical day might involve:
- supervising access visits between children and their families,
- transporting children to services and visits,
- supporting the provision of in-home support to families, and
- documenting case notes under the direction of an experienced practitioner.
About the program
This is a 12-week full-time or 16-week part-time program.
There are two commencement dates for the 2025 program.
The week commencing 20 January, or the week commencing 3 March 2025.
CPEP/CPP2 Salary: You will be earning a salary equivalent of $59,141 plus superannuation (pro-rata) for the 12 or 16 weeks.
Upon completion of the program and obtaining qualifications, participants are eligible to progress into an entry-level qualified Child Protection Practitioner, at the CPP3 level.
Program Eligibility
To apply for the program, you will need:
- to have already completed or currently studying a social work, welfare, community, or behavioural qualification/s (or similar),
- to have graduated in 2024 or be graduating by January 2026,
- to be available to work 3 to 5 days per week (7 hours, 36 minutes per day) for the duration of the program.
- Australian Citizen, Permanent Resident or hold a valid work permit or visa,
- a valid, current Australian driver's licence,
- to have (or be prepared to obtain) an employee Working with Children Check.
Opportunities are available across Victoria, in both metropolitan and regional offices. We have offices around the State.
To check the full list of locations, visit Locations | Child Protection Jobs - DFFH
To learn more about the Child Protection Employment Program and hear from a Child Protection practitioner who has completed the program, please register for one of our dedicated information sessions by visiting Child Protection Employment Program (CPEP) - Child Protection Jobs website
Program Benefits
As an employee of the Victorian Government, you will have access to a broad range of benefits. These include access to professional development opportunities through training programs, peer support networks and health initiatives.
Working in child protection, you will have access to a dedicated and free wellbeing and support program. This program is specifically designed to support Child Protection Practitioner’s mental health and wellbeing.
Make the decision to pursue a fulfilling professional career and make a difference in vulnerable children's lives.
Go Where You’re Needed – Do a Job that Matters.