Peer Worker – First Nations
Job Summary
Work in a recovery-oriented program providing psychosocial support for people experiencing mental health challenges
Identified role with a not for profit values based company
(SCHADS Level 3) superannuation salary packaging benefits
About the Opportunity
As a identified Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Wellbeing Worker you will support people to build confidence connection and capacity in their everyday lives. Drawing on lived experience you will provide one-to-one and group-based support maintain connection with people while they wait for services and help people navigate psychosocial and community-based supports.
You will work alongside participants families carers and service partners to support recovery strengthen engagement and promote a coordinated community-based approach.
About You
You bring lived experience use it in your work with care empathy and intention. You are comfortable with people from all backgrounds who identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and value the strengths and perspectives people bring. You collaborate reflect on your practice and bring warmth curiosity and accountability to your work.
About the Program
The Psychosocial Support Service has been shaped alongside participants carers and referrers to offer timely needs-based support for people experiencing mental health challenges. The program focuses on building capacity strengthening independence and supporting people to navigate pathways into ongoing psychosocial supports including the NDIS.
The service provides people-centred support for all community members including individuals who identify as part of the LGBTQIA and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities with an emphasis on safe entry connection and continuity of support.
Why us
Wellways are a team of approximately 2000 staff and 150 volunteers across 93 sites providing a range of programs services and supports to people right across Queensland New South Wales Australian Capital Territory Victoria and Tasmania. We remain committed to our mission of creating inclusive communities where everyone can imagine and achieve their hopes and potential; and we are always on the look-out for like-minded people who would like to be a part of this.
What we offer
A purpose driven culture where people can thrive everyone is respected and differences are valued
An equitable diverse and socially inclusive work environment
Salary packaging up to $15899 enables you to spend a portion of your salary before it is taxed to pay for things like rent mortgage repayments car leasing
Meal and Entertainment allowance via salary packaging up to $2650 per annum
Receive 17.5% leave loading every time you take annual leave
Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
Access for you and your family to our Employee Assistance Program
For a confidential discussion about this role we encourage you to contact Ashton Foster Team Leader on.
To view the full Position Description click APPLY!
Wellways is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people. Successful applicants must undergo a comprehensive screening process prior to their commencement.
Job Description Summary
The Psychosocial Support Service (PSS) has been intentionally designed through extensive co-design with participants families carers referrers and key stakeholders to ensure the delivery of a timely needs-based recovery-oriented and capacity-building service. The model focuses on supporting individuals to achieve their recovery goals build independence and successfully transition from the service including facilitating access to the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and other ongoing psychosocial supports where appropriate.Funded by the Gippsland Primary Health Network (GPHN) the Peer Worker plays a pivotal role in providing safe welcoming and recovery-oriented peer support to participants entering the Psychosocial Support Service. Drawing on their own lived or living experience of mental health challenges and recovery the Peer Worker works collaboratively with participants to foster hope promote self-determination strengthen community connection and support individuals to navigate the mental health and broader service system. The role contributes to the delivery of person-centred trauma-informed and strengths-based care that aligns with Wellways recovery philosophy and the objectives of the Psychosocial Support Program.
The service will operate Monday to Friday 9am-5pm with extended hours as needed to meet community needs.
Wellways Psychosocial Support Service provides peer-based services designed to support individuals from First Nations Communities with mental health challenges to access:
Safe quality mental health supports and to engage in mental health and psychosocial support services.
Strengthen the capacity of participants to live independently safely and productively in their community.
Strengthen the capacity of participants to form meaningful connections in a supportive environment; and reduce the need for acute care.
Integration of intake and assessment which include the identification of participants physical and mental health needs.
One-to-one psychosocial supports.
Tailored integrated care-plan jointly developed with participants/case managers/family/carers.
Individual peer support through peer-workers and wellbeing workers
Peer-developed and evidence-based group education and support programs (e.g. Healthy Eating and Nutrition) delivered by trained facilitators.
Warm transition into other support services as needed.
Under the general support and direction of the Team Leader this role will be responsible for providing the day-to-day peer support and support community connection to the PSS program in the Gippsland particular the Peer Workers will be responsible for the following key areas:
Supporting participants in recovery and overcoming their psychosocial barriers impacting their mental health.
Provide support and advice to members of the Psychosocial Support team to strengthen responses and connections for people in the First Nations communities.
Supporting referrals to services for people in the First Nations community identified as hard to engage.
Undertaking a needs assessment for people eligible for a community mental health service.
Ensuring a catchment wide response to demand management and prioritisation for allocation for eligible participants.
Facilitating referrals and supports for people not eligible for a community mental health service.
Facilitating better coordination of entry into mental health services.
Strengthening partnerships and building improved links between various organisations responsible for delivering mental health services.
Facilitating group activities around capacity building.
Improving referral pathways that facilitate access to the range of services and supports available to eligible participants.
Improving housing stability.
Building connections within the First Nations community and with ACCHOs.
Provide connection and support to participants on a wait list.
Promoting a community-based recovery model to underpin all support services delivered to people experiencing severe and persistent mental illness with complex needs.
In addition the Peer Worker will be the first point of call for First Nations people referred at the point of intake and those on a wait list and provide active wait- list management strategies. This role will also be responsible for ensuring all relevant participant details and data are collected and recorded.
Peer Workers will develop and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders (NDIS and GPHN) and others to ensure the service model and objectives are embedded into the service system actively promoting the service to key stakeholders.
Culture
Were passionate about ourwork whichis enjoyable challenging and rewarding.All ofourteamswork toensure everyone can imagine and achieve their hopes and potential. We know that people are unique and the experts on their life and are not defined by impairments diagnosis or labels.We aim to specifically promote safety and inclusivity for LGBTIQ and First Nations communities.
How to Apply
This is your opportunity to join a values based growing innovative and nationally recognised organisation with over 2000 staff members across 93 sites.
Please select Apply below to complete your application.
Applications Close
23/08/2026Required Experience:
IC
About Company
Wellways works to create an inclusive community where everyone can imagine and achieve their hopes and potential.