Family Peer Worker

Wellways Australia; Bairnsdale; On-site; AUD 63,370,000 - 71,635,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging up to $15,899

Meal & Entertainment allowance up to $

Paid parental leave

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Wellways Australia invites applications for a Part-Time Family Peer Worker based in Bairnsdale, VIC. You will draw on your lived experience to partner with families and carers, offering 1:1 support and help develop tailored action plans that reflect their goals and needs.

You will also lead network meetings and provide group trainings to strengthen carers’ capacity, with flexible hours and the option to move to full-time if desired.

Qualifications

• Personal lived experience of caring for someone with mental health challenges or psychosocial distress.
• Demonstrated knowledge of family and caring roles and their impact on carers’ health and wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Partner with families, friends and carers to understand experiences and provide 1:1 support.
• Develop tailored action plans addressing participant needs and aspirations.
• Facilitate network meetings and deliver group interventions to strengthen carers’ ability to sustain their caring role.
• Role offers flexible hours and potential transition to full-time per preference.

Skills

Lived experience

Carer support

Family engagement

Education

Certificate IV/Diploma in Mental Health

AOD or social science qualification

1+ year mental health experience OR Peer Support Training

Job description

• Be part of the reformed Mental Health and Wellbeing system in Victoria
• Ongoing, Part-Time (22.8 hr pw) opportunity based in Bairnsdale VIC
• SCHADS Level 3B ($40.49 ph) + Super + Salary packaging

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.

**About the Program**

A key recommendation from the Royal Commission emphasised the crucial role of families and carers in not only caring for their loved ones, but also in the overall functioning and sustainability of the mental health system.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Connect Centres (MHWBC Centres) will form a vital component of the integrated services provided in the reformed Mental Health and Wellbeing system in Victoria.

Services will be provided primarily by a team of individuals with personal experience as carers, and will offer support to families, carers, kin, and supporters of individuals facing mental health challenges, psychological distress, mental illness, or substance use concerns.

**About the role**

This is an opportunity for you to join a purpose and values driven team and play a vital role in ensuring that consumers, carers and their families receive valuable and supportive care.

As our new Family Peer Worker, you will be able to draw on your real-life experience to partner with families, friends and carers, get to know their experiences and, as appropriate, offer 1:1 support around key areas of challenge. As part of this, you will support our participants through the development of tailored action plans to incorporate their own aspirations, addresses their unique support needs and contributes to their overall health and wellbeing.

You will also facilitate network meetings and delivering group intervention training and courses to strengthen carers’ ability to sustain their caring role.This is a role that will provide you with a high level of flexibility in terms of your scheduled working hours and can also convert to being a full-time role if that is your preference.

To be successful in this role

• Personal lived experience of caring for someone with mental health challenges or psychosocial distress and recovery
• Certificate IV/Diploma in Mental Health, AOD or tertiary qualification in social science or 1+ year relevant work experience in mental health sector or intentional Peer Support Training
• Demonstrated knowledge of family and caring roles and the impact on carers’ health and wellbeing to determine support requirements
• Demonstrated skill in establishing empowering and supportive partnerships with individuals, families and carers

You will also need:

• Current valid Driver’s License and the ability to undertake travel for the role
• Current Working with Children Check and NDIS Workers Screening Check
• Right to Work within Australia
• Satisfactory National Police Records Check
• NDIS Worker Orientation Module Certificate

What we offer

• 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 $15,899 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
• Paid parental leave after 12 months of ongoing employment
• Access for you and your family to our Employee Assistance Program

For a confidential discussion about the role contact Brendan Beschle at [e-mail]

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.

If you’d like to know more about our reconciliation commitment, Reconciliation | Wellways

Job Description Summary

Culture

We’re passionate about ourwork, whichis enjoyable, challenging and rewarding.All ofourteamswork 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

13/09/2026