• Support families and carers through counselling, helping them navigate the challenges of mental ill health and substance use
• Permanent role | Part time 22.8 hours/week
• Bendigo Location

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived and living experience of mental ill health distress and recovery, and applicants from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualties, ages and backgrounds.

Mind Australia is one of Australia’s largest providers of community-managed psychosocial services, supporting people experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges to find help, hope and purpose in their lives. Operating for more than 45 years and employing more than 1,300 staff around Australia, Mind is a leading employer of people with lived experience of mental health challenges, recognising their unique ability to connect with and motivate clients and guide recovery.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced, compassionate Family and Carer Counsellor to work in the Bendigo region. You will utilise lived or living experience of mental ill health and recovery as a family member, carer or supporter services, psychological clinical therapies, family interventions and group work, care plans and capacity building for families, carers and supporters of people experiencing mental ill health and/or alcohol and other drug (AOD) challenges. The role will utilise expertise in delivering meaningful, evidence based services either face-to-face, telehealth or online utilising approved counselling modalities.

The Loddon Mallee Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centre will operate across the Loddon Mallee region through a partnership with Mallee Family Care. Centres have been established in Bendigo, Swan Hill and Mildura along with satellite sites across the region. Families, carers and supporters seeking information, advice, referral and peer support will be able to access Centre-based services, receive outreach support and support through telephone and other virtual platforms. Staff will have a lived or living experience as a family member, carer or supporter of someone living with mental ill-health and/or substance use challenges and will deliver services utilising a relational recovery approach, trauma informed practice and peer support. One-on-one support and group-based support will be provided including Mind Recovery College.

Key responsibilities

• Utilise your own lived and living experience of mental ill health and recovery to inform your work and the work of the team.
• Deliver high quality counselling services and psychological clinical therapies utilising counselling modalities in line with professional and National Standards.
• Provide integrated care plans and child, carer or family interventions to enhance relationships, family wellbeing and achieve goals.
• Support families and carers with capacity building, assertive follow up, information and resources, advocacy, education, meaningful referrals and linkages to services to meet service delivery requirements.
• Plan and facilitate one-on-one services, workshops or group programs that aid families and carers to build their skills and focus on wellbeing.
• Collaborate with a range of services and the community to ensure a co-ordinated and integrated response to recovery goals.

What you’ll bring

• Tertiary degree qualifications in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Family Therapy or other health related field as designated by Mind.
• Able to obtain registration with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or equivalent accreditation.
• Previous experience in using lived experience and Expertise in a dedicated Family/Carer Peer role strongly desirable.
• Proven capability to implement therapeutic, recovery-oriented frameworks and practices including attachment theory, trauma informed care and family inclusive practice.
• Demonstrated understanding of the Community Services sector and ability to build strong relationships with service providers, agencies and key stakeholders.

Benefits

• Salary packaging up to $15,900 p.a. allows you to allocate a portion of your pre-tax income to cover living expenses (e.g. rent, mortgage, child care, car leasing expenses etc.)
• Option to access Meal and Entertainment allowance up to $2,650 p.a. via Salary Packaging.
• Learning, development and career opportunities.

Interested?

To obtain a position description and apply online visit Mind Careers - reference number 498219. Online applications must be submitted by 11pm Tuesday 16 September 2025. Please contact the person below for more information.

Jo Pallant, Service Manager

[email protected]

The successful applicant is required to complete comprehensive reference and background checking prior to employment, including a Working with Children Check, NDIS Workers Screening Check.

PD Family and Carer Counsellor (MHW Connect) 20240712.pdf