Carers Victoria is the peak body representing the needs and interests of unpaid carers across Victoria. We’re a for-purpose organisation working to ensure unpaid carers are recognised, supported and connected. We provide advice, respite, education and advocacy.

About the role

cohealth is partnering with Carers Victoria to embed carer support expertise into the Brimbank Mental Health and Wellbeing Local, which has been established as part of the Victorian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health system.

Brimbank Mental Health and Wellbeing Local acts as a welcoming front door to the public mental health and wellbeing system providing easy to access, high quality treatment and care for those whose needs cannot be met by primary and secondary mental health care providers alone. The service model is designed to offer a flexible, user-focused service that is close to home and available when people need it for people with any form of mental ill-health, connecting them with expert practitioners and compassionate care.

What you’ll be doing

• Providing support to families, carers and supporters both directly and systemically within the service, including delivery of one-on-one direct support and delivery of peer support and psychoeducation groups
• Delivering functions such as intake, assessment, and assistance, whilst providing essential capacity building regarding working with carers and Brimbank Local multidisciplinary team.
• Increasing understanding of the family/carer experience in mental health service settings across other disciplines.
• Maintaining accurate client records and recording client data and other program information on cohealth’s client management systems.
• Developing and delivering presentations at information sessions for service practitioners, carers and caring families.
• Participating in key networks and advisory committees to promote and raise awareness of carers, caring families and the services of Carers Victoria.
• Work with the Western Metro Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect (local service for carers led by Jesuit Social Services).

Skills & experience

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring:

• An understanding of carers and the challenges they face in their role.
• Have lived or living experience of mental illness or caring for someone with a mental illness, distress, and recovery. Including co- existing conditions creating barriers to diversity and social inclusion.
• Use lived experience to compliment clinical practice and social prescribing.
• Establish respectful relationships that have clear boundaries with consumers, staff, and partner organisations.
• Engage with service users in a transparent, authentic, empathetic manner, demonstrating a strong customer service focussed approach.
• Be respectful, actively listen to and seek out opinions and ideas from others.
• Demonstrate self-awareness and the ability to self-regulate, role model a positive outlook even during challenging times.
• Demonstrate skills in negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Work in a strengths-based framework facilitating client choice and goals.
• Use digital technology and be able to adapt and learn new systems and programs.

Qualifications

• Relevant tertiary qualifications. For example, Social Work, Counselling, Psychology and Community Services.
• Current Drivers Licence.
• Willingness to provide a current Working with Children Check and undertake a police check prior to commencement

Key attributes

The ideal candidate will have:

• Lived or living Experience – Personal experience or Carer experience of mental illness, distress, or recovery, with the ability to draw on this to support others authentically.
• Strong interpersonal & communication Skills – Able to build trust, engage effectively with others, and communicate clearly in both group and individual settings.
• Understanding of mental health and carer Support – Knowledge of the mental health system and the needs of carers, with experience providing relevant support.
• Needs assessment and person-centred support – Confident in conducting intake, assessing needs, and delivering person-centred, tailored support.
• Organisational and record-keeping skills – Highly organised, with the ability to maintain accurate, compliant client records using relevant systems.
• Advocacy and system insight – Committed to representing carer perspectives and contributing to improvements in service delivery and system design.
• Collaborative approach – Comfortable working in a multidisciplinary and multi-agency setting under dual supervision.
• Cultural competence – Respectful, inclusive, and skilled in working with individuals and communities from diverse backgrounds.
• Initiative and adaptability – Self-motivated and responsive to change in a dynamic and evolving environment.

Why join us

• Join a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to improving outcomes for unpaid carers
• Work in a multidisciplinary team
• Work in a values-driven, forward-thinking organisation
• Part time 0.6 FTE role (3 days per week)
• Contract until 30 June 2026
• $92,400 gross pro rata + super (not for profit salary packaging available)

Want to apply?

If you have the skills and motivation to join our team, please submit your application via the ‘apply’ button. Please ensure you include a cover letter explaining why you are the best fit for Carers Victoria and this role. We encourage applicants to apply promptly, as applications will be reviewed and interviews offered on an ongoing basis.

A copy of the position description can be accessed via the Carers Victoria website: www.carersvictoria.org.au > About us > Working with us.

Please note: shortlisted applicants will be required to undergo pre-employment checks, including but not limited to a national police check, Working with Children Check, and reference checks.

Further information

If you would like more information about this role, please email [email protected] using the subject line: Job Enquiry - Carer Peer Worker

Carers Victoria is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, members of the LGBTIQA+ communities, carers, and people with disabilities.

Carers Victoria is committed to maintaining a diverse workforce that reflects the diverse needs of the people we support. We draw pride and strength from our diversity and actively foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the contribution made by all our people. Carers Victoria is also committed to protecting the best interests and safety of children and vulnerable individuals.