Peer Practitioner

Sonder; Adelaide; Hybrid; AUD 80,000 - 86,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Above-award pay

Flexible working

Development allowance

Salary packaging

Leave loading 17.5%

Job summary

Sonder is a not-for-profit human services organisation in Australia, dedicated to peer-supported care for people facing life challenges. This role centers on peer practitioners who draw on lived experience to assist clients within the Harm Reduction & Integrated Care portfolio.

Based in Edinburgh North with occasional travel to Port Adelaide, the position supports individuals from referral to exit care, promoting engagement, motivation and stability while advocating for people’s voices and

Qualifications

• Personal lived experience of AOD use and recovery, used in a professional context.
• Experience applying peer work principles to support clients, families and staff.
• Experience delivering psychosocial supports and non-crisis interventions.
• Understanding withdrawal and recovery journey and the role of support before/after.
• Experience in fast-paced environments and in a Peer Practitioner/peer support role.
• Experience in an AOD setting, including withdrawal or treatment services desirable.
• Experience using databases and electronic case management systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support across referral through In-Home Withdrawal and After Care.
• Support engagement, retention, motivation and stability throughout treatment.
• Collaborate with clinical and peer colleagues to embed lived experience perspectives.
• Contribute to positive client outcomes with a respectful, person-centred approach.

Skills

Lived experience AOD

Peer work principles

Psychosocial supports

Fast-paced environment

AOD setting experience

Education

Certificate IV Peer Work

Certificate IV AOD

Tools

Databases

Case management software

Computer systems

Job description

Who are we?

Sonder is a leading not-for-profit human services organisation committed to creating communities where no one is left to navigate life’s hardest moments alone. We work alongside thousands of people each year, bringing together mental health, alcohol and other drug, community and practical supports to deliver connected, person-directed care that helps people live the lives they choose.

What benefits can we offer?

When you work with Sonder, you become part of the Sonder family and that provides you with a number of benefits such as:

• Salary (excluding super) paid above award and reviewed annually
• Flexible working arrangements
• Professional development allowance provided yearly
• Generous salary packaging options - increase your take home pay by 6-12%
• 17.5% Leave Loading
• Modern and welcoming office spaces
• Christmas Closure Bonus Leave (above annual leave entitlements)
• Training opportunities
• Meal & entertainment allowances
• Paid parental leave, and much more!

Sonder are open to negotiating further benefits with the successful applicant to ensure an excellent working environment for you.

Salary Band:

$80,006.68 - $85,798.44 + Super

Hours:

Part-time

Contract:

Ongoing

Location:

Edinburgh North with occasional travel to Port Adelaide

More Information & Position Description via this link:

https://hr.sonder.net.au/14_PPIHWS.pdf

Immunisations:

This role has an assigned immunisation category under Sonder’s immunisation requirements. Please refer to the attached document below to view the vaccinations required for this role.

Immunisation Category:

Category B

https://hr.sonder.net.au/i/4_SonderImmunisationInformationSheet.pdf

About the Role:

As a Peer Practitioner, you will draw on your own lived experience of AOD use and recovery to provide meaningful peer support within the Harm Reduction & Integrated Care portfolio. You will work as part of the multidisciplinary In-Home Withdrawal Service (IHWS) team to support individuals experiencing substance dependence who wish to undertake withdrawal in the comfort and safety of their own home.

You will provide peer support to individuals, families, carers and supporters across the full spectrum of care — from initial referral through Pre Care, In-Home Withdrawal and After Care to exit. You will support engagement, retention, motivation and stability before, during and after treatment, while championing the voice, experiences and perspectives of people accessing the IHWS.

You will work collaboratively with clinical and peer colleagues, as well as alongside Sonder’s Mental Health Support Team, to ensure lived experience perspectives are embedded in service delivery. Through your role, you will contribute to positive outcomes for clients and help create a supportive, respectful and person-centred experience throughout their treatment journey.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly encouraged to apply. We are committed to an inclusive and culturally safe workplace.

Experience Requirements:

• Personal lived experience of AOD use, substance dependence and recovery, and the ability to draw on this experience purposefully and safely in a professional context.
• Demonstrated experience in working with the practice principles of peer work to use own lived experience, and experiential knowledge to share information, skills and strategies that support and promote therapeutic optimism with clients, families, carers and staff.
• Demonstrated experience and expertise in the provision of peer support for people who have AOD dependence and the provision of psychosocial supports and non-crisis interventions to AOD clients and families/friends.
• Understanding of the withdrawal and recovery journey, including the importance of support before, during and after treatment.
• Demonstrated experience working within a fast-paced environment.
• Previous experience in a Peer Practitioner, lived experience, or peer support worker role.
• Previous experience in an AOD setting, including withdrawal or treatment services, is desirable.
• Experience using databases, electronic case management systems, and computer systems.

Qualification and Other Requirements:

• Certificate IV in Peer Work with demonstrated experience in a lived experience, Peer Practitioner, or Peer Support Worker role, or willingness to obtain.
• Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drug or a related field is desirable.
• Current or willing to obtain a Working with Children's Check (WWCC)
• Current or willing to obtain a National Police Check (NPC)

Advert Closing Date:

13 October 2026

At Sonder, we strive to respond to all applicants. However, due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may only be able to contact those shortlisted for the role. Thank you for your understanding.