• Utilise your lived/living experience of mental health challenges to support service users achieve recovery and wellness goals
• Permanent, Part-time 30.4 hours/week, 5-day roster
• The Group Based Recovery Support Program (GBRSP), Cairns Location

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived and living experience of mental ill health and recovery, and applicants from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds.

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. Operating for more than 45 years and employing more than 1,300 staff around Australia, Mind is a leading employer of people with lived experience of mental health challenges, recognising their unique ability to connect with and motivate clients and guide recovery.

About the role

We’re seeking a compassionate Peer Practitioner for a permanent part-time role (30.4 hours/week) with the Group Based Peer Recovery Support Program (GBPRSP), also known as Mind Recovery College, in Cairns. Using your lived/living experience of mental health and/or alcohol and drug challenges, you will provide person-centred, recovery-focused support to help participants build daily living skills, social connections, and a sense of purpose. You’ll champion lived experience, promote human rights, and provide an alternative to traditional mental health responses through the practice of mutuality

The GBRSP, funded by Queensland Health, offers peer-led, recovery-focused courses and group activities designed to support participants in achieving their wellbeing goals. Delivered both face-to-face and online, the program covers topics such as self-care, communication, parenting, tenancy, and work-readiness. Participants choose sessions based on their interests and needs, fostering social connection, skill development, and community integration. Informed by lived experience, the program bridges mental health support with education, creating a safe and empowering space for personal growth.

Key responsibilities

• Draw on the broader Lived Experience knowledge base to inform your practice.
• Support people to return to a place of residence and pursue a meaningful life using the Intentional Peer Support approach.
• Assist people in actioning their recovery and wellness plans, including mental health management, daily living skills, crisis support, and community participation.
• Develop and deliver peer-led group programs that promote recovery, skill-building, and social connection through co-production and lived experience practice.
• Collaborate with a range of services and assist individuals in navigating systems and connecting with community agencies to address barriers to social, educational, and employment participation.

What you’ll bring

• Completion of Intentional Peer Support Core and/ or Advanced Training, or Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, is desirable but not required.
• 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.
• 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

• Salary packaging up to $15,900 + 50% remote area benefits p.a.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided by Converge International, for you and your immediate family members.
• Fitness Passport - Access to our corporate health and fitness program, providing you and family with access to a wide choice of fitness facilities.

Interested?

To obtain a position description and apply online click Apply Now to visit Mind Careers - reference number 497509. Online applications must be submitted by the closing date. Please contact the person below for more information.

Toni Hines, Service Manager - Mind Centre for Wellbeing/IRSP & GBRSP

[email protected] 

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 [email protected]

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.