Join our Team

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived experience of mental health challenges 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 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.

About the service

The Adult and Older Adult Mental Health and Wellbeing services, otherwise known as “Locals”, are a key recommendation from Victoria’s Royal Commission into mental health system. Locals are a key feature of current system transformation. The Locals will act as front door to the mental health service system and will provide a continuum of care and support including clinical interventions, wellbeing supports, and therapeutic support through an integrated mental health and alcohol and other drug approach.

About the role

We are seeking two self-motivated, empathic Peer Practitioners for 2 positions (Full Time Fixed term and Part-time Permanent, 38 hours and 30.4 hours per week respectively) based within the Dandenong region. The successful applicants will utilise their lived/living experience of mental ill health, recovery and/or alcohol and drug challenges to provide services to consumers, in line with Mind’s Model of Recovery Oriented Practice, My Better Life model, Mind’s Peer Work Framework and organisational values for people with mental health and alcohol and other drug challenges.

In this role you will be a champion of co-design and co-production in all aspects of the Local’s Service. You will work with people to understand their needs and identify how they would like to move towards what is possible in their lives by focusing on relational care. The Full-time fixed term opportunity will be until the 31st of December 2026.

Key responsibilities

• Apply your lived experience and Lived Expertise to support others and help shape peer-led approaches across Mind’s services.
• Walk alongside people using Intentional Peer Support, offering flexible outreach and holistic understanding of their lives and experiences.
• Design and lead group programs using co-design and co-production principles, grounded in relational practice and peer work values.
• Support individuals to navigate systems and connect with community services that help address barriers to social, educational, and employment participation.
• Reflect on your own lived experience and the broader Lived Expertise knowledge base, using it intentionally to inform and strengthen your practice.

What you’ll bring

• Tertiary qualifications in Mental Health, Peer Community Services, and/or Intentional Peer Support Core and/or Advanced training will also be considered as an alternative to tertiary qualifications.
• 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 or ability to acquire skills in understanding needs and working collaboratively to plan wellbeing supports using evidence informed approaches and tools.
• Experience and/or commitment in providing empathic person centered relational support, while recognising positionality, relative power and privilege..

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.
• Generous leave entitlements including 8 weeks paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading.
• 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 Practice Development sessions and coaching with your supervisor.

Interested?

To obtain a position description and apply online visit Mind Careers - reference number 499821. Online applications must be submitted by 11pm Thursday 23 July 2026. Please contact the person below for more information.

Jay Oduware – Acting Service Operations Manager
Jay.Oduware@mindaustralia.org.au   

Position Description

 PD Peer Practitioner - Dandenong - 20250916.docx

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

The successful applicant is required to complete comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check, NDIS Workers Screening Check.