Peer Practitioner

Utilise your lived/living experience of mental health challenges to support people achieve recovery and wellness goals

Overview

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. Mind is a leading employer of people with lived experience of mental health challenges.

About the role

We are seeking a compassionate and resilient Peer Practitioner to join our Cairns team on a fixed-term, part-time basis (28 hours per week) until July 2026. Drawing on your lived/living experience of mental health and/or alcohol and other drug challenges, you will deliver person-centred, recovery-oriented support to people experiencing psychological distress. In this role you will support clients to achieve their wellbeing goals, strengthen daily living skills, encourage connection to community networks, and foster hope, resilience and purposeful living.

About the service

The Cairns Crisis Support Space (CSS) is a safe and welcoming place where people can voluntarily seek support during times of emotional, situational or mental health crisis. Delivered by Mind Australia peer workers and a Senior Mental Health Clinician, the service offers compassionate, peer-led support to help individuals find pathways to wellbeing.

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

- 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.
- Completion of Intentional Peer Support Core and/ or Advanced Training, or Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, is desirable but not required.
- 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 or ability to acquire skills in understanding needs and working collaboratively to plan wellbeing supports using evidence informed approaches and tools.

Benefits

- Generous not-for-profit salary packaging: Up to $15,899 p.a. to reduce taxable income and cover living expenses.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Support for you and your immediate family.
- Fitness Passport: Access to a wide range of fitness facilities for you and your family.
- Professional development: Ongoing training and career growth opportunities.

Interested?

To apply visit Mind Careers - reference number 498228. Online applications must be submitted by 11pm Thursday 2 October 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

Email: Toni.Hines@mindaustralia.org.au

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 hr@mindaustralia.org.au

Position Description

PD Peer Practitioner (CSS) 20250305.pdf

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.

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