Family Peer Support Worker

Wellways; Mackay Regional; On-site; AUD 56,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,899

Meal and Entertainment allowance via a

Leave loading 17.5%

Paid parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Wellways in Mackay, QLD is seeking a Peer Family Support Worker to link participants with community services and provide psychoeducational tools for family members navigating recovery from suicidal ideation, crisis, or loss.

The role is peer-led and community-based, involving carer peer connections, information resources, and advocacy to support families on their recovery journey.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of supporting a loved one experiencing suicidal ideation, crisis and/or suicide attempts.
• Relevant qualifications or commensurate experience in working in a support role for people with mental health conditions.
• Satisfactory Police Records Check
• Blue Card – Working with Children Check
• NDIS Worker Screening Check
• NDIS Workers Orientation Module – Quality Safety and You – free online course
• Right to Work within Australia

Responsibilities

• Link participants with other community support services and provide gentle psychoeducational tools and guidance.
• Provide peer-led crisis support, information resources and advocacy.
• Facilitate peer support groups and proactive follow-up with participants.
• Navigate services and advocate for families through the recovery journey.

Skills

Lived experience

Mental health support

Communication skills

Job description

At Wellways, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to contribute. We warmly welcome applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with lived experience of mental health challenges or disability, people from multicultural backgrounds, and people who identify as LGBTIQA+. We recognise that diverse experiences and perspectives strengthen our workforce and the communities we support.

• Support carers/families who are on their journey to recovery following an attempted suicide
• Full time and Part time (30.4 hours per week) ongoing roles in Mackay
• SCHADS Level 3 ($40.49 - $43.42 per hour + superannuation + salary packaging benefits)

Wellways, recognises the unique contribution that Peers offer in the delivery of support services to improve community health and wellbeing. Peers offer an expertise that cannot be developed through study; it is their experience of supporting a loved one with a mental health issue and/or suicidal crisis or attempt, and their path of recovery, that informs their values, beliefs and expertise in the development of programs that meet the needs of community and their loved ones.

Peer Family Support Worker is focused on support, mutual understanding and psychoeducation on aspects of care that work and can support a loved during a time of crisis.

About your new role

As a Peer Family Support Worker you will be linking participants with other community support services and provide gentle psychoeducational tools and guidance on things that can support an environment of support, understanding and confidence. These courageous conversations can help people to understand how they are feeling and define what is important to in the recovery journey for the family.

The Peer Family Support worker is a peer led, community based position and will consist of carer peer connection in crisis; information and practical resources; peer support groups which can include educational sessions; proactive follow-up; service navigation and advocacy.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Rona Graffunder | ***********@wellways.org

Candidates may be interviewed and selected prior to the closing date

Please ensure you submit your updated Resume along with a Cover Letter outlining your experience supporting a loved one experiencing suicidal ideation, crisis and/or suicide attempts.

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

What do you need?

• Lived experience of supporting a loved one experiencing suicidal ideation, crisis and/or suicide attempts
• Relevant qualifications or commensurate experience in working in a support role for people with mental health conditions
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively interact with people from a variety of backgrounds
• Satisfactory Police Records Check
• Blue Card – Working with Children Check
• NDIS Worker Screening Check
• NDIS Workers Orientation Module – Quality Safety and You – free online course
• Right to Work within Australia

What we will offer you…

• A purpose driven culture where people can thrive, everyone is respected, and differences are valued
• An equitable, diverse, and socially inclusive work environment
• Salary packaging up to $15,899enables 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 loadingevery 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

Job Description Summary

Full time and Part time roles, supporting carers/families who are on their journey to recovery following an attempted suicide of a loved one

Culture

We’re passionate about ourwork, whichis enjoyable, challenging and rewarding.Allofourteamswork toensure 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

15/11/2026