Mental Health Peer Worker

Because every young person deserves to feel seen.

Employment Type:Temporary Full Time or Part Time until June 2027
Position Classification: Health Educ Off Non Grad
Remuneration:$64985.00 - $93974.00 per annum (pro rata for part time) 12% Super Salary Packaging
Hours Per Week:Up to 38
Requisition ID:REQ640625
Applications Close: Sunday 8^th March 2026
Tentative interview dates :12^th & 13^th March 2026

Help young people and families find hope when it matters most.

Where Youll Be Working

Join the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Response Team (Safeguards) a compassionate family-centred service based in Wallsend. Safeguards is a multidisciplinary community-based team providing short-term (up to six weeks) assessment and intervention for children and adolescents experiencing mental distress.

We value lived experience as equal to academic expertise. Peer Workers are recognised for their unique insights and play a vital role in delivering recovery-oriented trauma-informed care grounded in hope choice self-determination and social connection.

About the Role

As a Peer Worker (Consumer or Carer) you will provide non-clinical support advocacy education and group work to young people and their families. Working in partnership with a clinician in a dyad outreach model you will help build rapport and engagement offering a deeper understanding of each young persons strengths challenges goals and lived experience.

Support is flexible and tailored to the needs of young people and their carers delivered through a mix of face-to-face and virtual care. This position operates Monday to Friday 8:00am - 4:30pm with a strong focus on linking families with ongoing supports beyond the six-week intervention period.

Support and Development

You will be supported by the Safeguards Team Leader and embedded within a culture that values inclusion and peer leadership. Supervision and professional support include:

• External supervision
• Professional Lead - Peer Work
• State-wide Safeguards Peer Worker Community of Practice
• Group supervision and peer-specific meetings
• Comprehensive CAMHS Safeguards orientation

About You

This is a designated lived experience role (Youth or Carer). You will draw purposefully on your personal experience of mental health challenges - either as a young person or as a carer - to provide authentic peer support advocacy and recovery-focused care within a multidisciplinary team.

You are passionate about fostering hope empowering young people and families and contributing to safe trauma-informed mental health services.

You must have a current Drivers Licence valid within Australia and ability to travel and work across different locations as required.

What we can offer:
AtHunter New England Health enjoy a career where youre challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. Youll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer:

• Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero
• Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)
• 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)
• Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance
• Salary packaging options- up to $11600 plus novated leasing
• Fitness Passportfor health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members
  
  
  

Additional information:

• An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.
• This position is full time; however part time/job share arrangements may also be considered.
• To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen or a permanent resident of Australia or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
• We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.

How to apply:
Click apply online submit your information and resume and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.

1. This is a designated lived experience role. Applicants must demonstrate either:
   a) personal lived experience of mental health challenges service use and recovery; or
   b) lived experience of caring for someone with mental health challenges and service successful applicant must be able to reflect on and purposefully utilise their lived experience to support others in their recovery journey while maintaining their own wellbeing and professional boundaries.

2. Completion of or willingness to undertake and successfully complete Certificate IV Peer Work Mental Health qualification within 12 months after employment.

3. Ability to work independently and as part of a team and actively contribute to the further development of HNELHD MH Peer Services and broader Peer Workforce

Need more information
1) Click here for thePosition Description
2) Find out more aboutapplyingfor this position
For role related queries or questions contact Sophie Phillips on

Information for Applicants:

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below).For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: Up Websiteis a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information please visit: is a Category B position.Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance withNSW Health policy directivePD2024015: Occupational Assessment Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseasesfor Category B positions prior to new employees must agree tocomply withthe requirements outlined in the policy.

Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people aligned with NSW Healths commitment to implementingthe Child Safe Standards.We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe supported and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety welfare and well-being of children and young people actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

At Hunter New England Local Health District we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse inclusive and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitmentprocessplease let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contactfor confidential support.