Youth Peer Support Worker headspace Melbourne

About Access Health and Community

Access Health and Community (AccessHC) is a leading not-for-profit healthcare provider with over 150 years of experience delivering inclusive person-centered care across Melbournes inner and outer east and northeast.

With 550 staff and 200 volunteers across 17 locations we offer a wide range of integrated services to support diverse communities. Following our May 2025 merger with Inspiro weve expanded our reach into the Yarra Ranges and strengthened our commitment to accessible high-quality community health services.

We are proud of our commitment to Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) strong Environmental Social and Governance (ESG) principles and our respect for the rights culture and contributions of First Nations peoples. At AccessHC we are united by compassion collaboration and community-led care to help people live healthier lives.

The opportunity

Because your lived experience can change a young persons life this is more than a job. Its an opportunity to create meaningful impact by walking alongside young people and families during some of their most vulnerable moments and to do so with empathy hope and genuine understanding.

AtAccess Health and Community(AccessHC) we honour and value the voices of people with lived experience. Your story insight and recovery journey matter. They teach us guide us and help us continually improve the way we deliver high-quality compassionate care.

We are excited to offer the opportunity for 3 Youth Peer Support Workers to join the headspace South Melbourne Hawthorn & Malvern teams providing early intervention mental health services for young people aged 1225.

These roles exist because lived experience matters and because peer leadership makes services stronger safer and more human.

Reporting to the Team Leader headspace we are seeking to fill these 3 Permanent Part time Youth Peer Support Worker roles at the below locations:

• Hawthorn 0.6EFT
• Malvern 0.6 EFT
• South Melbourne 0.8 EFT

Please nominate your preferred location on your application letter.

Access is required to undertake compliance checks; however a record of criminal history does not preclude applicants from applying for suitable positions. All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and managed in a confidential and practical manner.

About the role Why This Peer Support Worker Role Matters

For many young people the first contact with headspace is a defining moment in their help-seeking journey. As ourPeer Support Worker you will be:

• Thefirst point of contact for young people families carers and referrers
• A safe welcoming and hopeful presence
• A powerful advocate for voice choice and shared decision-making
• A role model of recovery using the Intentional Peer Support Framework
• You will draw on your lived experience in a purposeful supported and professional way sharing hope building trust and empowering young people to shape their own recovery.

What you will be doing

• Direct Youth Peer Support (1225 years)
• Provide non-clinical initial engagement and intake support
• Offer one-on-one and group peer support
• Support young people on waitlists
• Co-facilitate youth group programs
• Apply trauma-informed and culturally safe practice
• Escalate risk and safety concerns in collaboration with senior clinicians
• Encourage collaborative shared care and family-inclusive approaches
• Support telehealth and in-person service delivery

Advocacy Engagement & Community Connection

• Engage priority populations and young people who may struggle to access services
• Build referral pathways with schools universities and community agencies
• Participate in peer networks
• Deliver community education sessions
• Work systemically with families and support networks

Quality & Governance

• Participate in reflective practice and peer supervision
• Maintain high-quality documentation (including hAPI)
• Engage in professional development
• Contribute to service improvement and accreditation processes
• Uphold Child Safety MARAM and clinical governance frameworks

What you will bring Key Selection Criteria

• Identify as having a lived experience relating to your mental health demonstrate current stability in your journey of recoveryand be willing to purposely respectfully and appropriately use your lived experience of mental health issues in your role
• Completion of or enrolment in relevant Peer Helper/ Peer Facilitation training such as Cert IV in Peer Support an accredited Intentional Peer Support Program or similar
• At least two years experience delivering peer support services in a paid or volunteer capacity (experience working with young people is preferred)
• Experience and confidence to co-facilitate a peer support group identify any risk issues and seek support from clinical staff where required
• Experience and confidence to work one-on-one with young people to provide support information and assistance in relation to their recovery goals

Compliance Requirements:

• National Police Check Working with Children Check NDIS Worker Screening Check
• Evidence of the right to work in Australia and a valid Drivers Licence

Attributes we value

• Experience in speaking at or delivering community education or community engagement events
• Understanding of the Intentional Peer Support model and its use in mental health services
• An approach that aligns with trauma-informed care principles of welcome hope and empathy when working with young people and their family/friends
• Genuine interest and passion working with young people
• Ability to work with young people across the 1225-year age group
• Understandingawareness of risk and safety concerns and demonstrate an understanding of when risk needs to be escalated

Access Health and Community Culture and Benefits

At AccessHC we offer more than just a fulfilling career; we provide an environment where you can thrive in a culture of collaboration and support. Our team members share commitment and passion to make a positive impact and this ethos creates a range of benefits for our people from opportunities for personal and professional growth to a sense of purpose and belonging. Our culture promotes an environment of success and fulfilment. Join us and experience a career where you truly make a difference.

The position encompasses an extensive range of benefits:

• Supportive and values-based culture and engaged workforce
• Culture of trust and empowerment for people to grow and thrive
• Commitment to a work-life balance with flexible working conditions
• Focus on staff wellbeing and health - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and career growth
• Paid parental leave and opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Annual leave loading
• Generous salary packaging opportunities (up to $15990 per annum $2650 meals/entertainment expenses)

Read more about our culture and benefits: now and help build healthier lives together.

If you are passionate about youth mental health recovery-oriented practice and making a difference in your community we encourage you to apply. At AccessHC and headspace we believe lived experience is not just valued it is essential.

Please submit your application including your resume and cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and nominate your preferred location.

Please refer to the position description on our website for the key selection criteria information: will be reviewing applications as they are submitted and may appoint the role before the end of date of the advertisement.

For more information regarding your application or if you would like to discuss accessibility requirements preferred communication methods or other possibilities please email: Acting Manager headspace Vanessa Cavanagh Email:

Why join Us

• Be part of a multidisciplinary youth mental health team
• Use your lived experience to create real change
• Work within a respected national early intervention framework
• Access structured peer supervision and professional development
• Join a values-driven not-for-profit organisation

Applications close: 8th March 2026

Access Health and Community is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive working environment that embraces and values all people regardless of cultural background age gender identity sexuality or lived and living experience. We value the diversity and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and are committed to delivering on our vision for reconciliation through our recruitment and employment practices. Access is required to undertake compliance checks; however a record of criminal history does not preclude applicants from applying for suitable positions. All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and managed in a confidential and practical manner.