AOD Recovery Worker

Wellways Australia; Dubbo; On-site; AUD 64,000 - 69,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid Cultural Leave

Meal & Entertainment allowance

Leave loading 17.5%

Parental Leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Wellways Australia is seeking an experienced Recovery Worker (AOD) to join the Community Living Support program across multiple NSW regions. You will apply specialist AOD knowledge to support people with co‑occurring mental health and substance use challenges, strengthening referrals and partnerships while delivering recovery‑oriented care.

In this role, you will collaborate with Recovery Workers, Peer Workers and leaders, helping build workforce capability and improving service navigation, case

Qualifications

• Minimum Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs, or an equivalent qualification with an AOD specialisation, and relevant experience in a mental health and/or AOD context.
• Experience supporting people experiencing alcohol and other drug challenges alongside mental health recovery.
• Knowledge of harm minimisation, overdose prevention and recovery-oriented practice.
• Experience building productive relationships with community organisations, treatment providers and other stakeholders.
• Strong communication, consultation and collaboration skills.
• Working rights in Australia
• Birth Certificate/ Passport
• Unrestricted Australian Driver Licence
• National Police Check
• Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening Check
• NDIS Worker Orientation Module completion certificate – free online course

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist AOD expertise across Wellways' CLS program, helping strengthen responses for people with co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges.
• Build AOD capability, strengthen referral pathways, develop stakeholder partnerships and contribute to workforce development initiatives.
• Provide recovery‑oriented support to participants, assisting with service navigation, care coordination, recovery planning and connection to treatment and community supports.

Skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Collaboration

Recovery-oriented approach

Education

Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

Job description

Wellways is committed to reconciliation, lived experience and inclusivity. We strongly encourage and warmly welcome people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with a lived experience of mental health and disability and people who identify as LGBTIQA+ to apply. Even if you only meet some of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.

• Specialist AOD role supporting integrated mental health recovery
• SCHADS Level 4B ($46.70- $50.25 per hour) + Leave Loading + Salary packaging benefits
• Part time, 22.8 or 30.4 hrs per week

About The Program

Community Living Support (CLS) provides individually tailored, person-led, community-based psychosocial support for people experiencing severe mental health challenges.

Wellways delivers CLS across a number of NSW regions, including Western NSW, Murrumbidgee & Albury, Illawarra, Mid North Coast and Nepean Blue Mountains. Working in partnership with Local Health Districts and community organisations, CLS provides flexible, practical support that empowers people to achieve their goals, strengthen their independence.

About The Opportunity

As the Recovery Worker (AOD), you will provide specialist AOD expertise across Wellways' Community Living Support (CLS) program, helping strengthen responses for people experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges.

Working with Recovery Workers, Peer Workers and People Leaders across multiple regions, you will build AOD capability, strengthen referral pathways, develop stakeholder partnerships and contribute to workforce development initiatives.

Alongside this specialist function, you will provide recovery-oriented support to participants, assisting with service navigation, care coordination, recovery planning and connection to treatment and community supports.

Please Note: this position could be based out of any of our offices - Wollongong, Albury, Griffith, Wagga Wagga, Penrith, Katoomba, Lithgow, Windsor, Coffs Harbour, Kempsey, Dubbo, Orange, Young, Bathurst,or Deniliquin

About You

You are an experienced AOD worker who is passionate about improving outcomes for people experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance use challenges.

You enjoy combining direct participant support with the opportunity to influence practice, strengthen service partnerships and support the development of colleagues working across multidisciplinary teams.

You bring strong knowledge of the AOD sector and understand the importance of integrated, recovery-oriented approaches that recognise the complex relationship between mental health, substance use, physical health and social wellbeing.

You are confident building relationships with stakeholders, working collaboratively across service systems and supporting others to deliver high-quality, person-centred support.

You will also need

• Minimum Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs, or an equivalent qualification with an AOD specialisation, and relevant experience in a mental health and/or AOD context.
• Experience supporting people experiencing alcohol and other drug challenges alongside mental health recovery.
• Knowledge of harm minimisation, overdose prevention and recovery-oriented practice.
• Experience building productive relationships with community organisations, treatment providers and other stakeholders.
• Strong communication, consultation and collaboration skills.
• Working rights in Australia
• Birth Certificate/ Passport
• Unrestricted Australian Driver Licence
• National Police Check
• Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening Check
• NDIS Worker Orientation Module completion certificate – free online course

What We Will Offer You…

• A purpose driven culture where people can thrive, everyone is respected, and differences are valued
• Paid Cultural Leave
• An equitable, diverse, and socially inclusive work environment
• Salary packaging up to $15,899 enables you to spend a portion of your salary before it is taxed to pay for things like rent, mortgage repayments, car leasing
• Meal and Entertainment allowance via salary packaging up to $2,650 per annum
• Receive 17.5% leave loading every time you take annual leave
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Access for you and your family to our Employee Assistance Program

For further information regarding this role please contact via email Leanne Robertson | [e-mail] with the subject line AOD Recovery Worker Role

We encourage early applications as interviews will begin prior to advertising closing date.

Wellways is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people. Successful applicants must undergo a comprehensive screening process prior to their commencement

Job Description Summary

Use your specialist AOD expertise to strengthen integrated mental health and recovery outcomes, build workforce capability and support people.

Culture

We’re passionate about our work, which is enjoyable, challenging and rewarding. All of our teams work to ensure everyone can imagine and achieve their hopes and potential. We know that people are unique and the experts on their life and are not defined by impairments, diagnosis or labels. We aim to specifically promote safety and inclusivity for LGBTIQ+ and First Nations communities.

Applications Close

23/09/2026