Peer Worker - Mental Health

Use your lived experience to empower young people, offer real support and help shape meaningful recovery journeys.

Classifications

• Volunteer / Charity / Community
• Support Services
• Part-time

Key points

• Part-time role- 3 days per week- keep your work-life balance!!
• Join a passionate, highly skilled team driven by best practice
• Up to 82K (FTE)+ Super + tax-free benefits up to $18,550

Description

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people?

At headspace Cairns, our dedicated team is committed to providing professional, flexible, and youth-friendly mental health services. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit, adaptability, and our shared goal of helping young people thrive.
  
We’re currently looking for Peer Workers to join our team.
Our Peer Workers draw on their lived experience to provide genuine, person‑centred support to young people navigating their own recovery journey. In this role, you will build trusting relationships, offer non‑judgemental support and create a safe, respectful environment where people feel heard and valued.
You will use your experience to empower others, helping them build confidence, strengthen coping strategies, and connect with appropriate services. Peer Workers play a vital role in connecting young people and the broader care team, contributing insight, advocacy, and practical support.
  
This role is a part‑time position worked across three days per week (0.6 FTE) and is offered as a maximum‑term contract until 30 June 2027.
  
As a Peer Worker, you will support young people with:
Service Delivery

• Work directly with young people in a non-clinical capacity, drawing on one’s own experience
• Support young people through individual peer work sessions to enhance their recovery
• Facilitate or co-facilitate peer programs and mental health education sessions
• Deliver culturally safe, respectful, and responsive support to First Nations young people
• Support young people with a diverse range of needs including culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) young people, LGBTIQA+ young people and young people with disability

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with relevant community stakeholders to increase knowledge on supports and referral points for young people
• In collaboration with the Community Engagement Officer, deliver mental health literacy programs to schools, education institutions, and community organisations
• Promote the headspace and peer work services at local meetings and events

Integration with headspace Team

• Work collaboratively with the multidisciplinary headspace team
• Always working within the scope of the peer work role and escalating any young people with clinical concerns to the clinical team
• Engage with the headspace Cairns Youth Reference Group (YRG)
• Contribute to the review and further development of the headspace peer work program

Documentation

• Maintain appropriate case notes and undertake administrative responsibilities
• Adhere to and contribute to headspace ethics and confidentiality

Youth-Friendly Practice

• Engage with young people in a respectful, developmentally appropriate way
• Offer flexible, strengths-based support that empowers young people and respects their autonomy

  
Who We’re Looking For

We are seeking someone who is empathetic, authentic, and approachable, with strong communication skills and the ability to remain calm and supportive in challenging situations. A commitment to cultural awareness and respect for diverse backgrounds is essential. In addition, you’ll bring:

• Evidence of personal experience as a consumer of adolescent mental health services and of ongoing recovery with an ability to utilise that lived experience to support others appropriately with their own mental health recovery journey
• Ability to communicate warmly and effectively with young people and their families
• Capacity to problem solve effectively, engage and work creatively
• Demonstrated clear written and verbal communication skills
• Competent use of range of Microsoft office programs and other information technology
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or equivalent or a commitment to undertake study
• A current Blue Card and Driver’s Licence
• Experience engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and communities in a culturally safe way

  
Why Join Us?

At headspace and RFDS (Queensland Section), our people are our priority. When you join our team, you’ll benefit from:

• A passionate, highly skilled team driven by best practices
• A competitive salary up to 82K(FTE) plus superannuation
• Generous tax-free benefits up to $18,550 (not-for-profit salary packaging)
• A strong focus on staff wellbeing, supported by our Social & Wellbeing Committee and Employee Assistance Program
• A genuine commitment to diversity and inclusion, welcoming people from all backgrounds and identities
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (including counselling, nutrition, financial, and legal advice)
• Novated leasing options and private health insurance discounts
• Fitness Passport membership – discounted access to gyms and health centres for staff and families
• RemServ Rewards – cashback benefits on purchases from hundreds of leading Australian retailers, including groceries, fashion, technology, and travel

  
About headspace Cairns

headspace Cairns is a safe and welcoming space for young people aged 12–25, offering support across mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drugs, education, and employment, as well as assistance for families and carers.

Operated by RFDS (Queensland Section), headspace Cairns has been supporting young people since 2006. headspace and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) (RFDS) acknowledges the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and the Traditional Custodians of the land. headspace and the RFDS are committed to eliminating all forms of discrimination in the provision of healthcare. We embrace diversity and welcome all people irrespective of faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.
  
headspace and the RFDS are committed to the protection of human and legal rights, including the rights of children, young people and adults to be safe, heard and cared for. In upholding the Universal Principle, headspace and the RFDS are committed to creating an organisational environment that ensures Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and their families feel welcome, safe, valued, included and respected. 
  
Ready to Apply?

Applications close 12th June 2026 however, shortlisting will commence before this date, so don’t delay!

For further information about this role, please contact recruitment@rfdsqld.com.au or on 07 3852 7553.
Alternatively, you can contact Kaycee Slipais (Peer Worker – Team Lead) on 0488 590 04 or Helen Isenhour (Centre Manager) on 0476 689 516.

Please note: The successful applicant will be required to complete a criminal history check and may be required to undertake a medical assessment. Participation in our immunisation program is also mandatory, including proof of immunity or vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases.