Join our Team

Utilise your lived or living experience of mental health and/or alcohol and other drug challenges to support others on their recovery journey. 

• Fixed-term, Part-time (30.4 hours/week) until 30 June 2026
• 7-day rotating roster (including evenings and weekends)
• Base Salary from $76,372 (pro-rata) + Super 12% & Benefits
• Cairns Location

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 compassionate, self-aware and motivated LGBTIQA+ Peer Practitioner to join our multidisciplinary team in Cairns. In this role, 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 individual peer support grounded in your own LGBTIQA+ lived/living experience of mental health and/or AOD challenges.
• Design and facilitate group programs that support peer connection and wellbeing within the LGBTIQA+ community.
• Support people to connect with services and community supports that promote independence, wellbeing and participation in daily life.
• Participate in regular training, peer co-reflection, and professional development to strengthen your practice.
• Actively contribute to co-design and service improvement, championing the voice of people with lived experience.

What you’ll bring

• Lived or living experience of mental health and/or AOD challenges as part of the LGBTIQA+ community.
• 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.
• Experience in delivering peer support in dedicated role is highly desirable.
• A strong commitment to person-centred, empathic, and trauma-informed support.

Benefits

• Generous not-for-profit salary packaging - up to $15,899 p.a. to reduce taxable income and cover living expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - support for you and your immediate family.
• Fitness Passport - access to a wide range of fitness facilities for you and your family.
• Professional development - ongoing training and career growth opportunities.

Interested?

To apply online visit Mind Careers - reference number 497843. Online applications must be submitted by 11pm Friday 30 October 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

Mind is committed to a barrier-free recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to complete your application, please email 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.