Carer Peer Support Worker

• Location: Multiple Western Health sites
• Employment Type: Part-Time (24 hours/week), Ongoing
• Salary: Lived Experience Worker Level 2 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

Seeking an enthusiastic, compassionate Family/Carer Peer Support Worker to join our team at Western Health. You will be a valuable addition to our multidisciplinary teams who continue to strive in the improvement and support we offer our families/carers.

Key responsibilities:

• Provide peer support to families and carers of consumers admitted to the Women's Inpatient Unit, offering empathy, information, and hope through shared lived experience.
• Assist carers to identify their support needs and promote their own wellbeing and self-advocacy.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance carer inclusion and communication during admission and discharge planning.
• Facilitate carer groups and post-discharge follow-up support in alignment with the Intentional Peer Support framework.
• Promote awareness and understanding of the carer perspective within the mental health service.

About you:

• A personal lived/living experience of supporting someone with mental health challenges which have resulted in engagement with public mental health services.
• Have a practical knowledge and understanding of the issues facing families, carers and consumers.
• Ability to mutually support families/carers in their journeys; sharing your own lived experience to inspire hope and possibility; providing linkages and resources where identified.
• Build an understanding of the effectiveness of the role of lived experience workforces within clinical mental health services.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to consult, liaise and work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.

Position Description

About Western Health

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne's western suburbs. 

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women's health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia's most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women's and Children's), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women's prison located in Ravenhall.

Why join us?

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
• Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
• Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.

Learning and development opportunities

• Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
• Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
• Mentorship and career support.

Community impact and inclusion

• Make a meaningful difference in patients' lives through compassionate care.
• Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
• Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.

Organisational culture and environment

• Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
• Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.

Ready to make an impact?

Simply click on the "apply" button and follow the prompts.

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.

Closing date: 11:59pm on 19 November 2025.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact:

Name: Caroline Schmidli

Title: Lived Experience Manager

Phone:

Email:

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.

Western Health