Mental Health Worker /Peer Worker

Centacare Catholic Family Services; Noarlunga Centre; On-site; AUD 53,000 - 76,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal and entertainment card options

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Discounts on health insurance

Job summary

Centacare Catholic Family Services in Mount Gambier is seeking a Mental Health Worker or Peer Worker to support people experiencing mental health challenges and foster recovery. The role covers Intensive Crisis Support (ICS) and Non-Acute Psychosocial Support (NAPS), offering practical help, emotional support and access to community services.

Applicants with formal qualifications or lived experience are encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

• Certificate IV in Mental Health (or equivalent) required for Mental Health Worker role.
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work required for Peer Worker role.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred support through goal setting, recovery planning, and emotional encouragement.
• Help clients access health, housing, NDIS, and community supports.
• Support clients through crisis situations with trauma-informed care.
• Maintain accurate and confidential client records using electronic systems.
• Build relationships with clients, families, carers, and service providers.
• Contribute to a culturally safe, inclusive service environment.

Skills

Empathy

Resilience

Crisis management

Trauma-informed practice

Recovery-oriented practice

Education

Certificate IV in Mental Health (or equivalent)

Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work

Job description

• Permanent, Part time (0.8 FTE) | Location: Mount Gambier
• Collaborative and client focused team | Experienced and supportive leadership
• SCHCADS Level 4 $46.70 per hour + super + PBI salary packaging

Join a team that supports people experiencing mental health challenges — Help individuals build resilience and reclaim their wellbeing.

Two Pathways to Make a Difference

This role can be filled by either a Mental Health Worker or a Peer Worker. We welcome applicants with formal qualifications or lived experience of mental health challenges and recovery. If you’ve walked the journey yourself and want to support others, your insight and empathy are deeply valued.

About the Role

As a Mental Health Worker or Peer Worker, you’ll support people experiencing mental health challenges to improve their wellbeing, build independence, and connect with community supports. Whether you bring professional expertise or lived experience, you’ll walk alongside individuals on their recovery journey—offering practical help, emotional support, and pathways to long-term stability. You’ll work across both of the below programs:

• Intensive Crisis Support (ICS) – short-term, high-intensity support to reduce distress and manage immediate challenges.
• Non-Acute Psychosocial Support (NAPS)– longer-term support to build resilience, explore NDIS options, and improve quality of life.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide person-centred support through goal setting, recovery planning, and emotional encouragement.
• Help clients access services including health, housing, NDIS, and community support.
• Support clients through crisis situations with calm, flexible, and trauma-informed care.
• Maintain accurate and confidential client records using electronic systems.
• Build strong relationships with clients, families, carers, and service providers.
• Contribute to a culturally safe, inclusive, and responsive service environment.

Empower hope. Build resilience. Change lives.

What You’ll Bring

Whether you’re a qualified Mental Health Worker or a Peer Worker with lived experience, you’ll bring empathy, resilience, and a strong commitment to supporting others.

We’re looking for people who can:

• Build trust and connection with individuals experiencing mental health challenges.
• Work independently and as part of a supportive team.
• Stay calm under pressure and respond to crises with care.
• Understand trauma-informed and recovery-oriented practice.
• Navigate community services, the NDIS, and support networks.
• Keep clear, confidential records and use digital systems confidently.

For Mental Health Workers: You’ll need a Certificate IV in Mental Health or equivalent.

For Peer Workers: You’ll need a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work and lived experience of mental health recovery.

Lived Experience at Centacare

At Centacare, we deeply value the unique insight and strength that comes from lived and living experience. If you’ve faced mental health challenges and walked your own recovery journey, your story can offer hope and connection to others. Peer work is built on mutuality, trust, and respect—and your perspective helps shape services that truly meet people’s needs. As a Peer Worker in this role, you’ll use your lived experience to support others, guide service improvement, and make a meaningful impact in your community.

Other Requirements

• A current Working with Children Check from the Department of Human Services (DHS).
• Flexibility to work outside regular hours when needed.
• Willingness to travel and use a Centacare fleet car or your own vehicle.
• Ability to stay calm and make good decisions in crisis situations.
• Commitment to inclusive and culturally safe practice, especially when working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

What’s in it for You

• Hourly rate of $46.70 + super under the SCHCADS Level 4 Social and Community Services classification
• Generous salary packaging to boost your take-home pay
• Meal and entertainment card options available
• Make a real impact in the lives of people experiencing or at risk of homelessness
• Supportive, high-performing team that values collaboration and clear goals
• Work with a trusted, long-standing organisation helping the local community
• Ongoing training and development to support your growth
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for wellbeing support
• Discounts on health insurance through Bupa

Who we are

Each year, we support more than 20,000 people through community services in metropolitan and regional South Australia, operating within a strong ethical framework. We are client focused and provide support regardless of race, economic circumstance, sexual orientation, gender identity, religious belief or ethnic background. Centacare is a Child Safe, Quality Accredited Organisation and is a registered NDIS provider. We value the uniqueness of individuals, we consult, collaborate and operate with integrity and professionalism. Centacare is committed to cultivating a harmonious workplace free from harassment and discrimination. Equal opportunity principles align with our mission, vision and values. We believe that treating our workers fairly has a positive impact on our clients and maintains our reputation as a great place to work.

To learn more about us, click on the video Centacare Catholic Family Services - Our Story

Applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications close 5:00pm on Monday, 26 October 2026