Lived Experience Mental Health Peer Worker

• Part Time (0.7 FTE), ongoing role
• Based in Dandenong
• Leading LGBTQIA+ community services organisation

About the role

We're looking for a passionate LGBTQIA+ Lived Experience Mental Health Peer Worker to join our Mental Health team at Thorne Harbour Health in Dandenong.

You'll draw on your own lived experience to provide authentic, trauma-informed peer support to LGBTQIA+ people and their families (including chosen families) as well as helping to empower individuals, strengthen community connections, and champion recovery and wellbeing.

In this role you will also:

• Provide compassionate, non-judgmental peer support to individuals and their networks.
• Advocate for the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ communities.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and partner organisations to deliver inclusive care.
• Apply trauma-informed, recovery-oriented approaches to support people on their mental health journey.
• Contribute to co-design and co-production initiatives that shape our services.

What's on offer

In addition to your salary of SCHADS Level 4 (pro-rata) and superannuation, Thorne Harbour also pays above award. You'll also receive 17.5% leave loading and an ability to increase your take-home pay by accessing up to $15,900 in salary packaging benefits.

There is also the option to increase your annual leave entitlements through our purchased leave program to enhance work-life balance, as well as ongoing professional and career development opportunities.

About you

Bringing both professional skills and personal insight to this role, we are looking for someone with:

• A Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (or equivalent qualification).
• Lived experience as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and as someone who has engaged with the mental health system.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills so that you can build trust, rapport, and genuine connections.
• A deep understanding of the diversity within LGBTQIA+ communities.
• A passion for advocating, empowering, and creating safe, inclusive spaces.
• Ability to advocate for the rights and wellbeing of the LGBTIQA+ community, promoting peer-led support and empowerment.

About us

At Thorne Harbour Health, we combine community, care, and advocacy to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTQIA+ people and people living with or affected by HIV.

We're a proudly community-led organisation built on over 40 years of activism and care — where your lived experience and identity are valued and celebrated.

For a detailed position description, including selection criteria, visit our website:

Inclusion Matters

We strongly encourage applications from people who are:

• Part of the LGBTQIA+ community
• Living with HIV
• From culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• First Nations people
• People with disability

For further enquiries please contact Rory Hellier, LGBTQIA+ Specialist Mental Health Manager –

How to apply

Written applications addressing the selection criteria and including a resume and the names and contact details of three professional referees should be sent via our job advert listing in Employment Hero.

Applications close: Sunday 9 November 2025

Important: it is essential that applicants specifically address the selection criteria. Where selection criteria have not been addressed, applications will not be considered.

Thorne Harbour Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to child safety. We have zero tolerance of child abuse. Our robust human resources, recruitment and vetting practices are strictly adhered to during the application and interviewing process. Applicants should be aware that we carry out working with children, police records and reference checks for all roles.