Peer Family Support Worker

Wellways Australia Limited; Cairns Regional; On-site; AUD 46,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging benefits

Meal/Entertainment allowance

Leave loading 17.5%

Paid parental leave

Job summary

Wellways Australia Limited is hiring a Peer Family Support Worker in Queensland. The role focuses on walking alongside families during crises, connecting them with services, and providing guidance to support healing. The position is peer-led and community-based, drawing on lived experience to empower families.

You will share information, offer resources, lead peer groups, and assist families in navigating services while upholding safeguarding and inclusion commitments.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of supporting a loved one with mental health concerns or suicide crisis.
• Strong written and verbal communication; ability to engage with diverse backgrounds.
• Police Records Check satisfactory.
• Driver's Licence with ability to travel and stay away overnight.
• Blue Card – Working with Children Check and NDIS Worker Screening.
• NDIS Workers Orientation Module – Quality Safety and You – online course.
• Right to Work within Australia.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to families affected by suicide attempts or crises.
• Connect families with community services and practical resources.
• Lead and run supportive peer groups; proactive follow-ups.
• Advocate for families and assist navigating services.

Skills

Lived experience

Communication skills

Police check

Driver's licence

Blue Card

NDIS Worker Screening

NDIS Orientation

Right to Work

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 lived experience of mental health and disability and people who identify at LGBTIQA+ to apply. Even if you only meet some of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you. Have you supported a loved one with a mental health issue and/or suicidal crisis or attempt? Join a meaningful role where your lived experience can make a real difference!

SCHADS Level 3B ($33.49 - $43.42) + Leave loading + salary packaging benefits

Have you experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide or had a close friend who has struggled with suicidal thoughts? This is your chance to support and connect with families facing similar challenges. This role offers a unique opportunity to provide peer support for families deeply affected by a loved one’s suicide attempt or crisis.

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

About your new role

As a Peer Family Support Worker, you’ll have the opportunity to walk alongside families during some of their most challenging times, connecting them with community support services and offering tools and guidance to create an environment of care, understanding, and hope. Through heartfelt and courageous conversations, you’ll help individuals explore their feelings and discover what truly matters in their family’s healing journey. This role is peer-led and community-based, allowing you to provide meaningful support through personal connection during times of crisis. You’ll share valuable information and practical resources, lead supportive peer groups, offer proactive follow-ups, and assist with navigating services and advocating for families’ needs.

Carer Peer Support is all about fostering mutual understanding, compassion, and empowerment, helping carers find the strength and confidence to support their loved ones through moments of crisis and beyond.

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
• Drivers Licence with ability to undertake some travel and be away overnight
• 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 $15,899 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

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.

To see our Practice Principles poster visit https://media.wellways.org/inline-files/ww383_Practice_Principles.pdf

Wellways Australia Limited is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people. All applicants applying for roles within Wellways must undergo a screening process prior to their successful appointment.

Wellways is a leading not‑for‑profit mental health and disability support organisation operating in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Tasmania. Our services span mental health, disability and community care and reach more than 7000 people each year. Our 2000 staff work to create an inclusive community where everyone can imagine and achieve their hopes and potential. We connect people, strengthen families and transform communities for individuals of all ages experiencing disabilities or challenges to their social and emotional wellbeing. Our Practice Principles guide how we work and interact with participants and partners, with our colleagues and within our communities.