Mental Health Nurse
- Fixed-term full-time opportunity until 30 June 2027, with potential for extension
- Salary from $115,339 p.a. + 12 % Super & 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.
About the role
We are seeking a Mental Health Nurse to join our multidisciplinary team at the Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre. Reporting to the Clinical Lead, you will play an important role in delivering accessible, person-centred and recovery-oriented mental health support to adults experiencing psychological distress, mental health challenges and complex psychosocial needs.
This is a varied and rewarding role, providing opportunities to undertake comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessments, deliver evidence-informed nursing interventions, support clinical risk assessment and safety planning, and promote physical and mental wellbeing. You will work collaboratively with individuals to understand their needs, identify strengths, support recovery and coordinate access to appropriate clinical, community and social supports.
As part of a multidisciplinary team, you will contribute mental health nursing expertise to clinical consultation, care planning and multidisciplinary decision-making. Working alongside clinicians and Peer Practitioners, you will support the delivery of holistic, trauma-informed and recovery-oriented care while recognising the importance of lived experience in supporting positive outcomes. You will also contribute to service development and the ongoing growth of an innovative community-based mental health service.
The service operates seven days a week, with team members rostered across the following service hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8:30am – 9:30pm
- Weekends and public holidays: 11:30am – 7:30pm
About the service
The Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre, delivered in partnership with Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, provides a welcoming, low-stigma and safe space for people experiencing distress or crisis. Offering clinical and non-clinical support, the centre provides an alternative to hospital emergency departments and helps people access early intervention and ongoing supports, including AOD, housing, and social services.
Key responsibilities
- Conduct mental health assessments, risk assessments, and safety planning to support client wellbeing.
- Provide health education, brief interventions, and recovery-focused support tailored to individual needs.
- Deliver care coordination, advocacy, and referrals to appropriate health and community services.
- Support clients, families, and carers to make informed choices about their health and wellbeing.
- Facilitate health promotion activities and wellbeing programs.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and community stakeholders to support positive client outcomes.
What you’ll bring
- Tertiary qualifications in Nursing/Mental Health Nursing and current AHPRA registration.
- Postgraduate degree or equivalent qualification in Mental Health Nursing.
- Experience supporting people experiencing mental health challenges, distress, crisis, or complex needs.
- Skills in mental health assessment, risk assessment, care coordination, and recovery-oriented practice.
- Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills with the ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
Benefits
- Generous not-for-profit salary packaging of up to $15,899 p.a.
- Supportive multidisciplinary team environment.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) support for you and your immediate family.
- Fitness Passport membership for you and your family.
- Access to discounts and lifestyle benefits through Mind's Workplace Banking Program.
About 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 almost 50 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.
Interested?
To apply online visit Mind Careers - reference number 500826. Online applications must be submitted by 11pm, Thursday 3 December 2026. 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:
Gabrielle Brown – Centre Manager Cairns Medicare Mental Health Centre
Gabrielle.Brown@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
The successful applicant will be required to complete comprehensive reference and background checks prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check (Blue Card) and NDIS Worker Screening Check. A current Australian driver's licence is also required.
Position Description
