• Permanent Full-time role | Part-time options also available
• Salary: $ 75,545 Base Salary + Super + NFP Salary Packaging Benefit
• Location: Bungalow, Cairns QLD 4870
• Make a meaningful difference to the lives of Australians in need

Life at Mission Australia
When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we stand together with anyone who needs us, for as long as they need us. Find out more about us and our purpose.

Your Opportunity
Are you a proud Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person ready to support your mob experiencing homelessness? Join Mission Australia's Going Places program in Cairns, where you'll walk alongside clients, support fellow Mission Australia staff, and engage with community members to create lasting, positive change.

As an Indigenous Mentor, you'll build strong, respectful, and trusting relationships with clients, supporting them to reconnect with family, community, and culture. You'll provide one-on-one mentoring that respects each person's story and helps guide them toward safe, stable housing and a better future.

This unique role offers the chance to work within a culturally safe and caring program that blends outreach, health, and housing support. Your cultural knowledge and connection will be highly valued as you empower your mob, assist colleagues, and strengthen community ties.

This position is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants only, under Section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977.

If you're passionate about making a real difference for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people - supporting clients, staff, and community - we want to hear from you.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Build strong, respectful, and non-judgemental relationships with mob, offering support and encouragement to help them grow, be independent, and reconnect with family, kin, and community.
• Help clients access a range of community and cultural services, and support them to build good networks with friends and elders, while showing positive behaviour.
• Keep client information private and respect boundaries, especially when working with Indigenous clients. Share your cultural knowledge to help the team work in a way that is safe and respectful.
• Follow the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations and Mission Australia's Child & Youth Safe policies, and speak up if you see any concerns for the safety of children and young people.
• Work closely with case workers and other cultural services to create the best support plans and cultural resources for clients.
• Complete all client paperwork and admin tasks accurately to help the program run smoothly and effectively.

Requirements for Success:

• Experience working directly with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients, with a strong understanding of their cultures and community needs.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with Indigenous clients by showing respect, cultural sensitivity, and maintaining confidentiality.
• Relevant qualification or demonstrated skills and experience in community services, social work, or a related field.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to complete case notes, reports, and administrative tasks accurately and on time.
• Current Queensland Driver's License and willingness to work flexible hours between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. as required.
• Ability to identify and manage risks, maintain professional boundaries, and manage own wellbeing in a challenging environment.

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check, qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Your benefits

• Rewarding work - every day you know you're making a real difference
• Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay)
• Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support
• Volunteering opportunities
• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
• Extra leave including: Mission Australia Thank You Day & Work Anniversary Day off

Our culture
Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you're skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email [email protected] or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at [email protected]

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia.

How to apply
Click 'Apply' and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications are shortlisted as they are received. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you.