Aboriginal Peer Worker - Identified

About this role

Remuneration: $34.08 - $62.28 Per Hour + 12% Super + Salary Packaging Employment Type: Permanent Part Time Position Classification: Health Education Officer Hours Per Week: 20 Location: Tamworth Mental Health Unit Requisition ID: REQ680907 Applications Close: Tuesday 25th August 2026 This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the selection criteria. About the role: As an Aboriginal Peer Worker, you will play a valued role within the new Tamworth Mental Health Unit (THMU), drawing on your own lived experience of mental health challenges and cultural knowledge to provide meaningful, culturally safe and recovery-focused support to Aboriginal consumers during their inpatient journey. Working alongside a passionate multidisciplinary team, you will build trusted, person-centred relationships with consumers, families and carers, offering hope, advocacy and practical support to help people identify and achieve their recovery goals. Your role will include supporting safety, recovery and wellness planning, providing peer support, advocating for consumer needs, and strengthening connections with community and psychosocial services. Your unique combination of lived experience and Aboriginal cultural knowledge will be instrumental in strengthening culturally responsive care, fostering trust and engagement, supporting family involvement and helping to reduce barriers to ongoing care and recovery. You will work collaboratively with clinicians, Community Mental Health teams and key community partners, contributing your valuable perspective to a multidisciplinary environment and helping ensure Aboriginal consumers feel heard, respected, culturally understood and empowered throughout their mental health journey. Importantly, you will be supported to thrive in the role through regular professional and clinical supervision, professional development and ongoing education. Support will include guidance from your Line Manager and Professional Leads, access to regular internal in-service programs, and connection with Aboriginal Mental Health and Workforce and Cultural Supervision networks. This is an opportunity to use your lived experience and cultural expertise to make a genuine difference, strengthen culturally safe mental health care and help shape a more connected recovery journey for Aboriginal consumers. Join a New Era of Mental Health Care in Tamworth Be part of something truly exciting at the brand-new, purpose-built Tamworth Mental Health Unit, a contemporary 37-bed facility delivering high-quality mental health care across the New England Northwest region. With dedicated spaces for 20 general adult beds, 5 high-acuity beds, 4 younger person beds and 8 older person beds, the unit is designed to provide specialised, person-centred care across a diverse range of consumer needs. Working within a passionate multidisciplinary team, you will contribute to holistic care through medical, psychological, occupational and social interventions. At the heart of the service is a dynamic therapeutic group program, providing consumers with meaningful daily structure and opportunities to engage, connect, learn and build practical skills that support both mental and physical wellbeing. Be part of a fresh, innovative approach to mental health care where your expertise can make a genuine difference from day one. Relocating? We've Got You Covered Making a move can feel overwhelming, but support is available. The Welcome Experience is a free service designed to help health workers and their families settle into regional communities. From connecting you with local schools, childcare providers, sporting clubs, housing information, and community networks, the program helps make your transition smoother so you can feel at home sooner and start enjoying everything your new community has to offer. Learn More: www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience What we can offer you: At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer: Supportive and collaborative team environment Ongoing professional development opportunities across the administrative network Career progression opportunities within NSW Health Annual leave and paid parental leave for eligible employees Salary packaging options to increase take-home pay Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support wellbeing Essential Requirements: * This position is identified for applicants of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent. Are you of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander descent? * Eligibility to drive in NSW and ability to travel and work across different locations as required. Additional Information: * An eligibility list will be created for future permanent part time and temporary part time vacancies. * Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse. At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact HNELHD-Diversity@health.nsw.gov.au for confidential support. To be eligible for employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold an appropriate visa that allows you to live and work in Australia. Employment of a temporary visa holder will only be offered in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa. We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position. How to apply: Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability. Comprehensive understanding or experience in drug and alcohol practice including comprehensive assessment, care planning, intervention, and evidence-based counselling models of care and ability to apply case management principles Demonstrated understanding of the principles of trauma informed care and its application to therapeutic interventions. Demonstrated ability to work as a senior clinician in a multi-disciplinary team demonstrating application of professional and ethical boundaries when working with complex situations. Need more information? * Click here for the Position Description * Find out more about applying for this position For role related queries or questions contact Gina Blyton on Gina.Blyton@health.nsw.gov.au Information for Applicants: Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2 Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy. Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via nswhealth@salarypackagingplus.com.au or 1300 40 25 23. Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses. Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn! #AboriginalEmployment