Use your lived experience to create hope and inspire recovery.

Join a supportive team where your lived or living experience is valued. Help people rebuild confidence, independence, and wellbeing while supporting their mental health recovery journey.

Fixed-term, Full-time Opportunity | Cairns

Why join Mind?

• Fixed-term, full-time opportunity until 31 December 2026, with a strong possibility of extension subject to ongoing funding | Monday to Friday
• Competitive salary from $80,008 + 12% Super
• Salary packaging up to $15,900 + plus Meal & Entertainment packaging of up to $2,650 p.a.
• Outreach-based role supporting people across the Cairns & Mareeba areas
• Fleet vehicle provided for business use
• Professional development and career growth opportunities
• Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Meaningful work where you can make a genuine impact on people's lives every day

About the role

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

As a Peer Practitioner with the Individual Recovery Support Program (IRSP) in Cairns, you'll provide person-centred, recovery-focused support to help people build daily living skills, strengthen social connections, and find purpose. Support is tailored to individual needs and delivered face-to-face, online, or by phone.

You'll join a supportive, values-driven team that champions lived experience, promotes human rights, and recognises the unique value Peer Practitioners bring to recovery. A fleet vehicle is provided for work-related travel.

Key responsibilities

• Use your lived/living experience of mental ill health and recovery to build trust, offer hope, and walk alongside people on their recovery journey.
• Deliver flexible, person-centred support that meets the unique needs of each individual.
• Provide resources to help people foster positive relationships with those important to them.
• Support people to navigate services and connect with community supports that help them build confidence, independence, and meaningful participation in daily life.
• Participate in ongoing peer co-reflection, supervision, and professional development.
• Contribute to service improvement by championing lived experience leadership and co-design.

About the Service

The IRSP is an outreach service providing person-centred support to adults with severe mental health challenges who have recently accessed hospital or clinical services. Guided by Mind’s My Better Life model, the program helps clients build daily living skills, confidence, and independence through one-on-one support, group activities, and care coordination. The IRSP team works collaboratively with clients to achieve their recovery goals and connects them with the Group Based Recovery Support Program (GBRSP) to ensure holistic, tailored support.

What you’ll bring

• Lived or living experience of mental health and/or AOD challenges, and a desire to use this to support others.
• Certificate IV or higher in Mental Health, Peer Work, Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) or other health-related field.
• Completion of Intentional Peer Support training (desirable).
• Previous experience in a dedicated Peer role strongly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with participants, families, and carers.
• A commitment to person-centred, evidence-informed, and recovery-oriented practice.
• Valid Australian Driver's licence.

About Mind Australia

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 500646. Online applications must be submitted by 11pm Friday 23 October 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:

Toni Hines, Service Manager - Mind Centre for Wellbeing/IRSP & GBRSP

Toni.Hines@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 Peer Practitioner (IRSP)- 20250806 - LE reviewed.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.

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived and living experience of mental ill health and recovery, and applicants from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds