Community Mental Health Practitioner

Mind Australia Limited; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 72,000 - 88,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

12% Superannuation

Salary packaging

Professional development

Fitness Passport

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

Mind Australia Limited is seeking a compassionate Community Mental Health Practitioner to join the Transitional Recovery program in Cairns. You will support adults on forensic mental health orders moving from hospital to independent community living, helping them build daily living skills, strengthen social connections, and achieve recovery goals in a safe, home-like setting.

You will work a flexible 24/7 rotating roster, including nights and weekends, alongside families and community services

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications (minimum Certificate IV) in Youth Work, Mental Health, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, or other health-related field.
• Experience working with people with mental health challenges and complex needs, including families and carers.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).
• Current Driver's Licence, NDIS Worker Screening Clearance, and Blue Card (or ability to obtain).
• Ability to provide proof of vaccination against vaccine preventable diseases or willingness to obtain required vaccinations per Queensland Health partnership.

Responsibilities

• Deliver personalised, recovery-oriented support using motivational interviewing, brief interventions, trauma-informed care, and family-inclusive practice.
• Support clients to build confidence, independence, and daily living skills.
• Facilitate groups and structured activities that promote recovery and social inclusion.
• Work collaboratively with families, carers, and community services to ensure coordinated support.
• Work a flexible 24/7 rotating roster, including nights, weekends, and sleepovers, to provide consistent and responsive care.

Skills

Motivational interviewing

Trauma-informed care

Recovery-oriented practice

Family-inclusive practice

Daily living skills

Education

Certificate IV or higher in Youth Work/Mental Health/Psychology/Social Work/Occupational Therapy

Job description

Make a real difference in people’s lives! support adults leaving acute mental health services to achieve recovery goals, build independence, and thrive in the community.

• Part-time role (30 hours/week) until 30 June 2027


• Competitive salary from $80,008 + 12% Super


• Salary packaging up to $15,899 per year to increase your take-home pay


• Professional development and career growth opportunities


• Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP)


• Meaningful work where you can make a genuine impact on people's lives every day

About the role

We are looking for an empathetic and motivated Community Mental Health Practitioner to join our Transitional Recovery program in Cairns.

In this role, you will support adults on forensic mental health orders transitioning from hospital and other secure settings into independent community living. You’ll work alongside clients over time to build daily living skills, strengthen social connections, and support meaningful recovery goals in a safe, home-like environment.

Key responsibilities

• Deliver personalised, recovery-oriented support using motivational interviewing, brief interventions, trauma-informed care, and family-inclusive practice


• Support clients to build confidence, independence, and daily living skills


• Facilitate groups and structured activities that promote recovery and social inclusion


• Work collaboratively with families, carers, and community services to ensure coordinated support


• Work a flexible 24/7 rotating roster, including nights, weekends, and sleepovers, to provide consistent and responsive care.

About the service

The Forensic Transitional Recovery Program (FTRP) in Cairns is a 12-month residential program supporting adults on forensic orders to safely transition from secure mental health settings into independent living. With 24/7 support in a home-like environment, the program promotes recovery, social connection, and building skills for safe independence.

What you’ll bring

• Tertiary qualifications (minimum Certificate IV) in Youth Work, Mental Health, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, or other health-related field.


• Experience working with people with mental health challenges and complex needs, including families and carers.


• Strong understanding of recovery-oriented practice, trauma-informed care, risk mitigation, and family-inclusive approaches.


• Current First Aid and CPR certification (or willingness to obtain).


• Current Driver's Licence, NDIS Worker Screening Clearance, and Blue Card (or ability to obtain).


• Ability to provide proof of vaccination against vaccine preventable diseases or willingness to obtain required vaccinations per Queensland Health partnership.

About Mind Australiais 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 almost 50 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.

For more information, please contact:

Mind is committed to a barrier-free recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to complete your application, please email **@mindaustralia.org.au

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.

Position Description

PD Community Mental Health Practitioner (FTRP) - 20250702.pdf