Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Officer

Monash Health; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging

Professional development

Supportive team environment

Employee wellbeing

Cultural support

Career mobility

Diversity and inclusion

Job summary

Monash Health is seeking an Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Officer to provide culturally safe support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients across hospital and community settings. You will advocate, coordinate care, and connect patients to primary health services, working across Kingston, Moorabbin, the Victorian Heart Hospital and Dandenong Hospital.

The role emphasises cultural safety, patient-centred care, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including community

Qualifications

• Proven experience in mental health care with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Ability to communicate respectfully across cultures and with senior clinicians.
• Experience in care coordination, discharge planning and community engagement is highly regarded.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally safe support across all care phases.
• Build strong relationships through culturally appropriate communication, including yarning.
• Support care coordination, discharge planning and connection to community health services.
• Act as a cultural broker between patients and clinical teams to ensure safe, effective care.
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams across hospital and community settings.
• Strengthen pathways between Monash Health and Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
• Contribute to quality improvement and culturally informed care models.

Skills

Cultural safety

Communication

Care coordination

Advocacy

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Education

Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care and/or mental health equivalent

Job description

Monash Health exists to reimagine care, so that people can live their best lives.

We provide safe andequitablecare, for every stage of life, delivered with world-leadingexpertiseand over 175 years of experience.

As a leading academic health service,we'recommitted to providing tomorrow's care today by integrating research,teachingand training into everyday practice.

Our team of 24,000 people are full hearted, open minded and all in. Together, we provide more than 250 integrated services for every stage of life at over 50 locations and in the community across south-east Melbourne, Victoria, serving 1.2 million residents in the South Metro Local Health Service Network.

About the Role

We are seeking a passionate and culturally grounded Aboriginal Mental Health Liaison Officer (AMHLO) to join our Aboriginal Health Integrated Care team. This role is central to delivering culturally safe, patient-centred care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients across Monash Health’s hospital and community settings.

Working across multiple sites, including Kingston, Moorabbin, the Victorian Heart Hospital, and Dandenong Hospital, you will provide cultural support, advocacy and care coordination for patients experiencing mental ill health throughout their healthcare journey, including discharge into the community.

The AMHLO also plays a key role across the full patient journey, in line with the strategic pillar of Care Beyond the Hospital by supporting early intervention, inpatient care coordination, discharge planning and post-discharge follow-up.

In this dynamic and rewarding role, you will:

• Provide culturally safe support across all care phases
• Build strong, respectful relationships through culturallyappropriate communication, including yarning
• Support care coordination, discharge planning, and connection to community and primary health services with a focus on mental health
• Act as a cultural broker between patients and clinical teams to ensure mental health care is both clinically effective and culturally safe
• Work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams across hospital and community settings
• Strengthen pathways between Monash Health and Aboriginal Community ControlledOrganisations
• Contribute to quality improvement, innovation and culturally informed models of care

This role requires flexibility to work across sites and may include a 7-day roster as required. This position is an Aboriginal Designated Position under ‘special measures’ of Section 12 of the Equal Opportunity Act 2010. Only Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

About Us

Our Aboriginal Health Integrated Care program is a key organisational priority. We are committed to working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to:

• Improve health outcomes and close the gap in health inequity
• Deliver culturally safe and responsive care
• Support connection to Culture, Country and community
• Strengthen the Aboriginal workforce and leadership

We value integrity, compassion, accountability, respect, and excellence and we strive to create an inclusive, supportive environment where staff and community thrive.

About You

You are an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who is deeply connected to community and culture, with a strong commitment to improving health outcomes for Aboriginal people.

To succeed in this role, you will bring:

Professional Background: A minimum of 5 years of recent relevant training and experience (with demonstrable evidence) in the mental health sector is required. Candidates who do not currently meet this specific timeframe must be willing to undertake the required upskilling and professional development within the first 12 months of employment.

• Certificate IV in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care and/or mental health equivalent
• Cultural Expertise: Deep understanding of the diverse cultural needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
• Communication & Influencing: High-level communication skills, with the ability to provide advice to senior clinicians and promote the service effectively across a multi-site organisation.
• Mobility: Ability to work flexibly across all Monash Health sites as required. Current driver’s license.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build trust and rapport
• Demonstrated understanding of cultural safety and the needs of Aboriginal communities
• Experience in care coordination, advocacy, or community engagement (highly regarded)
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and across services
• Strong organisational skills, initiative, and a commitment to continuous improvement

You will also demonstrate:

• Respect for cultural protocols and active participation in community
• A strengths-based, patient-centred approach to care
• Leadership, adaptability, and reflective practice
• Commitment to professional development and supporting others

In Return

As a valued member of the Monash Health team, you’ll have access to a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development, and career progression, including:

• Salary packaging– increase your take-home pay with generous salary packaging options.
• Professional development– access to ongoing training, education, and leadership opportunities to support your career growth.
• Supportive team environment– work within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that values innovation, compassion, and excellence.
• Employee wellbeing– benefit from a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP), staff wellbeing initiatives, and a strong focus on work-life balance.
• Cultural support - tailored individually to you by an Aboriginal facilitator
• Career mobility– opportunities to work across Victoria’s largest public health service with a wide range of roles and career pathways.
• Diverse and inclusive workplace– join an organisation that celebrates and embraces diversity and fosters a culture of respect and belonging.

At Monash Health, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities while advancing your career in a leading healthcare organisation.

For a confidential discussion and to explore this opportunity further, please reach out to Sarah Ong, Director of Aboriginal Health Integrated Care, on 0421 640 *** or *********@monashhealth.org.

Our Culture and Values

At Monash Health, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Our culture is inclusive, supportive and future-focused, underpinned by clear values and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Our teams play a critical role in bringing our new strategy to life, challenging traditional approaches, embracing innovation, and ensuring every appointment reflects our commitment to equity, transparency and excellence.

You’ll be encouraged to share ideas, contribute to improvement initiatives, and grow alongside experienced professionals who are passionate about what they do.

We areFullHearted,OpenMindedandAllIn,enabling excellent service delivery and a positive candidate and employee experience every time.

We recognise the value of equal employment opportunity. We are committed to patient safety, promoting fairness,equityand diversity in the workplace and to Child Safe Standards.