Peer Practitioner

• Utilise your lived/living experience of mental health challenges to support people in achieving recovery and wellness goals
• Fixed-term, full-time until 30 June 2026 | Monday to Friday
• Base salary from $76,372 + Super 12% & Benefits | Work vehicle provided for business use
• Outreach Service to Cairns & Mareeba areas

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived and living experience of mental ill health and recovery, and applicants from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds.

Mind Australia is one of Australia's largest providers of community-managed psychosocial services, supporting people experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges to find help, hope and purpose in their lives. Operating for more than 45 years and employing more than 1,300 staff around Australia, Mind is a leading employer of people with lived experience of mental health challenges, recognising their unique ability to connect with and motivate clients and guide recovery.

About the role

We're seeking a compassionate and motivated Peer Practitioner for a full-time, fixed-term role until 30 June 2026 within the Individual Recovery Support Program (IRSP) in Cairns. The IRSP is an outreach service that supports people aged 18 and over who are experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges to live independently and well in the community. Support is tailored to each person's needs and preferences and may be delivered face-to-face, online, or over the phone.

In this role, you will draw on your lived or living experience of mental health and/or alcohol and drug challenges to provide person-centred, recovery-focused support. You will work alongside people to build daily living skills, strengthen social connections, and foster a sense of purpose.

As the position requires travel, a fleet car is provided.

Key responsibilities

• Use your lived/living experience of mental ill health and recovery to build connection, offer hope, and support others on their recovery journey.
• Deliver high-quality services to respond to the unique needs of people, offering a flexible and person-centred approach.
• Provide resources and support to help people foster positive relationships with those important to them.
• Participate in regular training, peer co-reflection, and professional development to strengthen your practice.
• Support people to navigate services and connect with community supports that help them build confidence, independence, and meaningful participation in daily life.
• Actively contribute to co-design and service improvement, championing the voice and leadership of people with lived experience.

What you'll bring

• Completion of Intentional Peer Support Core and/ or Advanced Training, or Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, is desirable but not required.
• Tertiary qualifications (minimum Certificate IV) are required in Mental Health, Peer Work, Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) or other health related field as designated by Mind.
• Previous experience in using lived experience and Expertise in a dedicated Peer role strongly desirable
• Experience, expertise and/or desire to work directly with people with mental health issues, as well as their families and carers.
• Experience and/or commitment in providing empathic person-centred relational support.

Benefits

• Salary packaging up to $15,899 p.a. allows you to allocate a portion of your pre-tax income to cover living expenses (e.g. rent, mortgage, child care, car leasing expenses etc.)
• Option to access Meal and Entertainment allowance up to $2,650 p.a. via Salary Packaging.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided by Converge International,for you and your immediate family members.
• Fitness Passport - Access to our corporate health and fitness program, providing you and family with access to a wide choice of fitness facilities.

Interested?

To apply online visit Mind Careers - reference number Online applications must be submitted by 11pm Monday 1 September 2025. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the advertisement may close early if a suitable candidate is identified.

For more information, please contact:

Toni Hines, Service Manager - Mind Centre for Wellbeing/IRSP & GBRSP

We are committed to making reasonable adjustments to provide a positive, barrier-free recruitment process. If you require any support or reasonable adjustments to complete your application, please contact us at

Position Description

PD Peer Practitioner (IRSP)-

The successful applicant is required to complete comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check, and NDIS Workers Screening Check.