• Position No: 1151-8
• Enquiries: Hamed Turay (02) 9646 6700
• Work Type: Part-time; up to 24 hours per week. Contract up to 26 January 2026 (continuation subject to ongoing funding)
• Location: Auburn / North Sydney
• Salary:​ Health Education Officer, or other relevant classification based on qualifications, experience and requirements of the role. A generous salary packaging scheme is also offered
• Vaccination Requirement: Category A

Do you want to work in one of Australia’s leading organisations providing treatment and rehabilitation to torture and trauma survivors; that’s quality focused, diverse & committed to making a difference in the lives of vulnerable people in communities.

Come & join us!

THE ORGANISATION

"STARTTS is a not-for-profit Affiliated Health Organisation focused on providing a broad range of services to refugees in NSW. The focus of STARTTS approach is on building capacity and empowering people and communities to take control over their own lives, using a strengths-based approach and building on individual, family, community and cultural strengths."

THE ROLE

This position will be working within STARTTS Community Development Team to work with support structures in the Afghan community in North Sydney Local Health District (NSLHD) to increase the capacity of community leaders, volunteers, peer educators and community support structures to identify and support people at risk of suicide or serious mental health illness and make appropriate referrals.

The position will deliver psycho education and lifestyle/well-being group interventions to enable Afghan community members better identify signs of distress in themselves and develop appropriate coping strategies, develop mutually supportive relationships, break social isolation, reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health assistance, increase knowledge and access to a variety of mental health services.

PERKS & BENEFITS

• Employment with attractive leave entitlements including 14 weeks paid parental leave, 4 weeks’ annualleave and paid Accrued Day Off (ADO) (full-time employees only) and other entitlements.
• Salary packaging options that reduce your taxable income and increase your take-home pay.
• Great education opportunities through our Training department.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members.
• Discounted gym memberships with a Fitness Passport.
• Flexible hybrid work.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENT

• Qualifications or significant experience in psychology, social work, community development, social science, counselling, group work or other relevant disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, implementing, and evaluating groups in a cross-cultural context.
• Demonstrated understanding of torture and trauma on individuals, families, and communities and its impact on resettlement in the Australian context.
• Demonstrated adult education and/or training skills.
• Excellent understanding of the needs and issues related to mental health literacy and suicide prevention faced by the Afghan community settling in NSW.
• Effective oral, written & interpersonal communication skills in English and Afghan, and proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office, and the ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team within a multicultural environment.
• Experience in community development and/or group work in multicultural settings.
• Knowledge of appropriate mental health literacy interventions and suicide prevention frameworks and strategies.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:

*This position is considered child-related employment and will require a Working with Children Background Check and a National Police Check.

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

**This role is a Category A role. It is mandatory for Category A workers to meet and maintain the vaccination criteria (as per the current NSW Health and STARTTS policies).

Vaccination and/or assessment is required for Category A workers for the following transmissible diseases – measles, mumps, rubella, hepatitis B, varicella (chickenpox), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), influenza and tuberculosis. 

COVID19 vaccination is strongly recommended, but not a requirement for employment.

If successful you must provide evidence of vaccination and/or assessment.

Should you not be able to comply with vaccination requirements before your commencement date, the offer of employment may be withdrawn.

If you have a medical reason for why you cannot be vaccinated, a medical contraindication evidence will be required.

HOW TO APPLY

To be considered for this position, please ensure you address the selection criteria as thoroughly as possible.

1. Complete an application form by clicking "Apply Now"
2. Write a Statement Against the above Essential Requirements outlining how you meet the selection criteria (see the guide “How to apply for a job at STARTTS”)
3. Submit an up-to-date Curriculum Vitae (CV)
4. Provide copies of relevant Qualifications if applicable (overseas qualification must be assessed by anappropriate Australian body to be considered)
5. Statements of Service from previous relevant roles (if applicable, please ask us for a sample)
6. A cover letter is optional.

NB: Depending on the role, if appointed, you may need a current ‘NSW Working With ChildrenCheck’ clearance, follow this link for information on how to apply of your check: ocg.nsw.gov.au/working-children-check/applicant

A position description is attached.