Use your lived experience to inspire recovery!

Join our new Cairns program and walk alongside people with complex mental health challenges as they transition from long-term clinical care into independent community living.

• Part-time (15.2 hours/week) | Fixed-term until 30 June 2026 | 24/7 rotating roster
• Hourly rate $38.65 - $41.45 + Super 12% & Benefits
• Cairns Location

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived experience of mental ill health and recovery, and applicants from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, 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 a self-motivated, empathetic Peer Practitioner to join our new Cairns program. In this role, you will use your lived experience of mental health and/or AOD challenges to:

• Build connections, share hope, and walk alongside people on their recovery journey.
• Advocate for human rights and champion co-design and co-production in practice.
• Deliver trauma-informed, recovery-focused support to clients, assisting them to build independence and achieve recovery goals.
• Plan and facilitate group programs that focus on skill-building and recovery.
• Collaborate with clinical partners, community services, and families to provide coordinated care.
• Participate in reflective practice, professional development, and peer-led initiatives.
• Work flexibly across a 24/7 roster, including nights, weekends, weekdays and sleepovers.

What you’ll bring

• Lived or living experience of mental health and/or AOD challenges, and a desire to use this to support others.
• Tertiary qualifications (minimum Certificate IV) are required in Mental Health, Peer Work, Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD), or other health-related field.
• Completion of Intentional Peer Support Core and/ or Advanced Training, or Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, is desirable but not required.
• Empathy, resilience, and commitment to person-centred, recovery-focused support.
• Current First Aid and CPR certificates.
• Ability to provide proof of vaccination against vaccine preventable diseases or willingness to obtain required vaccinations per Queensland Health partnership.

Benefits

• Generous not-for-profit salary packaging - up to $15,899 p.a. to reduce taxable income and cover living expenses.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - support for you and your immediate family.
• Fitness Passport - access to a wide range of fitness facilities for you and your family.
• Professional development - ongoing training and career growth opportunities.

Interested?

To apply visit Mind Careers - reference number 498462. Online applications must be submitted by 11pm, Friday 31 October 2025. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the advertisement may close early if a suitable candidate is identified.

For more information, please contact:

Leonie Heness, Service Manager

[email protected]

Mind is committed to a barrier-free recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to complete your application, please email [email protected]

Position Description

PD Peer Practitioner(FTRP) 20250930.pdf

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