Join our Team

• Utilise your lived or living experience of mental health to support service users in achieving their recovery and wellbeing goals
• Fixed-term, Part-time (30.4 hours/week) until 30 June 2026, 7-day rotating roster
• Base Salary from $73,803 (pro-rata) + Super 11.5% & Benefits
• Cairns

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived 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 service

The Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre is a welcoming, low-stigma alternative to hospital emergency departments for people experiencing psychological distress or crisis. Delivered in partnership with Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Services, the centre provides immediate, short and medium-term support to individuals, connecting them to ongoing care across mental health, alcohol and other drugs, housing, and social services.

About the role

We are seeking a self-motivated, empathetic LGBTIQA+ Peer Practitioner for a fixed-term, part-time opportunity to join our new Medicare Mental Health Centre in Cairns. As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will utilise the learnings from your lived/living experience of mental health and/or alcohol and drug challenges to provide intensive, person-centred, recovery-oriented support to service users, empowering them to identify their goals and take steps toward recovery.

This role requires flexibility to work within a 7- day roster including evenings and weekends.

Key responsibilities

• Provide peer support informed by your own LGBTIQA+ lived/living experience of mental health and/or AOD challenges, fostering hope and connection through person-centred, recovery-oriented approaches.
• Curate and deliver group programs that support peer connection and mental wellbeing within the LGBTIQA+ community.
• Participate in regular training, peer co-reflection, and professional development to strengthen your practice.
• Support people to navigate services and connect with community supports that help them build confidence, independence, and meaningful participation in daily life.
• Actively contribute to co-design and service improvement, championing the voice and leadership of people with lived experience.

What you’ll bring

• Tertiary qualifications (minimum Certificate IV) in Mental Health, Peer work, AOD, or other health-related field.
• Completion of Intentional Peer Support Core and/ or Advanced Training, or Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, is desirable but not required.
• Previous experience in using lived experience and expertise in a dedicated peer role strongly desirable.
• Experience, expertise and/or desire in working directly with people with mental health issues, and their families and carers.
• Experience and/or commitment in providing empathic person-centred relational support.

Benefits

• Salary packaging up to $15,899 p.a. allows you to allocate a portion of your pre-tax income to cover living expenses (e.g. rent, mortgage, child care, car leasing expenses etc.).
• Option to access Meal and Entertainment allowance up to $2,650 p.a. via Salary Packaging.
• 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.
• Professional development through regular supervision sessions.

Interested?

To apply online visit Mind Careers - reference number 497843. Online applications must be submitted by 11pm Monday 28 July 2025. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the advertisement may close early if a suitable candidate is identified.

For more information, please contact:

Leonie Heness - Service Manager, National Complex Care

Leonie.Heness@mindaustralia.org.au

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 hr@mindaustralia.org.au

Position Description 

 PD LGBTIQA+ Peer Practitioner (CMMHC) - 20250627.pdf

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.