Use your lived experience to inspire recovery!

Support people on their mental health recovery journey and help them rebuild confidence, independence, and wellbeing.

• Full-time, Monday to Friday| Contract until 30 June 2026
• Base salary from $76,372 + Super 12% & Benefits | Vehicle provided for business use
• Outreach Service to Cairns & Mareeba areas

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived and living 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

Use your lived or living experience of mental health and/or alcohol and drug challenges to empower others on their recovery journey.

As a Peer Practitioner with the Individual Recovery Support Program (IRSP) in Cairns, you’ll provide person-centred, recovery-focused support to help people build daily living skills, strengthen social connections, and find purpose. Support is tailored to individual needs and delivered face-to-face, online, or by phone. You’ll join a supportive, values-driven team that champions lived experience and promotes human rights. A fleet car is provided for travel.

About the Service

The IRSP is an outreach service providing person-centred support to adults with severe mental health challenges who have recently accessed hospital or clinical services. Guided by Mind’s My Better Life model, the program helps clients build daily living skills, confidence, and independence through one-on-one support, group activities, and care coordination. The IRSP team works collaboratively with clients to achieve their recovery goals and connects them with the Group Based Recovery Support Program (GBRSP) to ensure holistic, tailored support.

Key responsibilities

• Use your lived/living experience of mental ill health and recovery to build trust, offer hope, and walk alongside people on their recovery journey.
• Deliver flexible, person-centred support that meets the unique needs of each individual.
• Provide resources to help people foster positive relationships with those important to them.
• Support people to navigate services and connect with community supports that help them build confidence, independence, and meaningful participation in daily life.
• Participate in ongoing peer co-reflection, supervision, and professional development.
• Contribute to service improvement by championing lived experience leadership and co-design.

What you’ll bring

• Lived or living experience of mental health and/or AOD challenges, and a desire to use this to support others.
• Certificate IV or higher in Mental Health, Peer Work, Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) or other health-related field.
• Completion of Intentional Peer Support training (desirable).
• Previous experience in a dedicated Peer role strongly desirable.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with participants, families, and carers.
• A commitment to person-centred, evidence-informed, and recovery-oriented practice.

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 online visit Mind Careers - reference number 498537. Online applications must be submitted by 11pm Thursday 6 November 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:

Toni Hines, Service Manager - Mind Centre for Wellbeing/IRSP & GBRSP

[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 (IRSP)- 20250806.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.