Senior Peer Support Worker – Mental Health & AOD

About Access Health and Community

Access Health and Community (AccessHC) is a leading not-for-profit healthcare provider with over 150 years of experience delivering inclusive, person-centered care across Melbourne’s inner and outer east and northeast. With 500+ staff and 200 volunteers across 17 locations, we offer a wide range of integrated services to support diverse communities. Following our May 2025 merger with Inspiro, we’ve expanded our reach into the Yarra Ranges and strengthened our commitment to accessible, high-quality community health. We value Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), uphold strong Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, and respect the rights of First Nations peoples as we continue to build healthier lives through compassion, collaboration, and community-led care.

The opportunity

An exciting and rewarding opportunity for a permanent part-time Senior Peer Support Worker – MH&AOD to provide practical and emotional support for clients managing mental health and alcohol and other drug issues. This role provides the opportunity to share your experiences of recovery to engage and empower participants, their families, clinicians and the community to ultimately improve outcomes for clients and families/loved ones engaged in Mental Health and AOD services at Access Health and Community. As a key member of the mental health and AOD leadership team, the role also involves providing practice supervision and guidance to peer support staff.

Please refer to AccessHC's Lived and Living Experience Framework - Lived and Living Experience Framework | Access Health and Community (accesshc.org.au)

What you will be doing 

Key Responsibilities

• Intentionally and safely share your lived and/or living experience of recovery
• Offer a welcoming, hopeful, and empathetic approach working alongside others in their recovery journey
• Engage and empower participants, their families, clinicians and the community to better understand the lived experience perspective
• Provide guidance, mentoring and support to Peer Support workers across the Mental Health and AOD teams, including regular individual practice supervision, facilitating reflective practice and/or community of practice sessions with the peer workforce and providing general practice support
• Work as part of a multidisciplinary team within a supportive, inclusive, and diverse workplace.
• Conduct risk assessments and implement risk management plans as appropriate
• Develop and co-facilitate group-based interventions for consumers
• Provide services in both face-to-face and telehealth modalities, with some outreach appointments required
• Participate in shared care with internal and external services, including attendance at care team meetings, case coordination and clinical reviews
• Work collaboratively with consumers, family/carers and other health professionals to develop and implement Collaborative Care Plans that include short‐term and long‐term recovery goals

What you will bring

 Key Selection Criteria

• Identify as having lived experience of mental ill health and/or alcohol and other drug use and demonstrate current stability in your recovery
• Relevant training/qualifications in peer support (such as a Cert IV in Peer Support, an accredited Intentional Peer Support Program or similar)
• At least four years’ experience delivering peer support services in a paid or volunteer capacity
• Experience delivering practice supervision to a lived experience workforce
• Experience and confidence to co-facilitate a peer support group, identify any risk issues and seek support from clinical staff where required
• Experience and confidence to work one-on-one with people to provide support, information and assistance in relation to their recovery goals
• Understanding of the Intentional Peer Support model and its use in mental health services

Compliance Requirements:

• National Police Check, Working with Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check (if applicable to role)
• Evidence of the right to work in Australia and a valid Driver’s Licence.

A criminal history check is required for all roles but having a criminal history does not automatically exclude you from employment. All applications are reviewed confidentially on a case-by-case basis.

Attributes we value:

• Genuine interest and passion working with mental health/AOD clients
• Be willing to effectively, respectfully, and appropriately use your lived experience of mental health and/or AOD issues in your everyday work
• Understanding principles of clinical risk, confidentiality, and rights and responsibilities of consumers within a community health and mental health/AOD services context
• Well-developed interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to work creatively and respectfully with people from a diverse range of social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including LGBTIQA+, culturally and linguistically diverse, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment
• Demonstrated behaviours consistent with AccessHC values

Access Health and Community Culture & Benefits

At AccessHC, we offer more than just a fulfilling career; we provide an environment where you can thrive in a culture of collaboration and support. Our team members share commitment and passion to make a positive impact and this ethos creates a range of benefits for our people from opportunities for personal and professional growth to a sense of purpose and belonging. Our culture promotes an environment of success and fulfilment. Join us and experience a career where you truly make a difference.

The position encompasses an extensive range of benefits:

• Supportive and values-based culture and engaged workforce
• Culture of trust and empowerment for people to grow and thrive
• Commitment to a work-life balance with flexible working conditions
• Focus on staff wellbeing and health - Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and career growth
• Paid parental leave and opportunity to purchase additional leave
• Annual leave loading
• Generous salary packaging opportunities (up to $15,990 per annum + $2,650 meals/ entertainment expenses)
• Read more about our culture and benefits: https://accesshc.org.au/culture-and-benefits

Why join us?

• Be part of a leading health and community organisation driving innovative change
• A unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on community health services
• Work in a supportive, values-driven team environment
• A rewarding role in a dynamic organisation with a mission-driven culture
• Enjoy flexible work settings across the eastern suburbs
• Access professional development opportunities
• Make a genuine difference in the lives of people and communities.
• The chance to work with passionate professionals dedicated to improving lives

Apply Now

This is an outstanding opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the advancement and integration of Mental Health Services within our community. Please forward your resume and a cover letter addressing the key selection criteria and refer to the position description on our website: https://accesshc.org.au/careers/ 

For further information and to arrange the opportunity to discuss this role: Please contact: Emma Tyers, Manager Mental Health: emma.tyers@accesshc.org.au

Apply now so you do not miss this opportunity, as we will be assessing applications when submitted. 

Applications close date: 19th September 2025

Access Health and Community is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing an inclusive working environment that embraces and values all people, regardless of cultural background, age, gender identity, sexuality or lived and living experience. We value the diversity and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and are committed to delivering on our vision for reconciliation through our recruitment and employment practices. Access is required to undertake compliance checks; however, a record of criminal history does not preclude applicants from applying for suitable positions. All applications will be assessed on a case-by-case basis and managed in a confidential and practical manner.