Peer Support Worker (Health Education Officer Grad/Non Grad) - Toward Zero Suicides - Perm PT

South Western Sydney Local Health District; Sydney; On-site; AUD 47,000 - 86,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

12% superannuation

Salary packaging

Annual leave with 17.5% leave loading

One extra day off each month

Job summary

South Western Sydney Local Health District is seeking a compassionate Health Education Officer (Part Time) to support suicide prevention and recovery services, including Safe Haven and SPOT across Campbelltown and Liverpool.

The role emphasizes lived experience, trauma-informed practice, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team. A relevant degree or peer-work certification is required, with shifts Friday to Monday and penalty rates for after-hours work.

Qualifications

• Personal lived experience of suicide and/or suicidal thoughts.
• Tell us about your workplace experience using your lived experience safely and purposefully to support people in their mental health recovery, advocate for their needs while maintaining safety protocols.
• How do you apply recovery-oriented, strengths-based and trauma-informed principles when supporting individuals, including respecting personal choice, building on strengths and goals, promoting physical and psychological safety, and avoiding re-traumatisation?
• Ability to confidently use technology, apply strong written communication skills and maintain clear, accurate and timely records in your work.
• Australian C-Class driver's license (including P1/P2) and obtaining NSW C class if licensed elsewhere within three months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Support people through Safe Haven and the Suicide Prevention Outreach Team (SPOT) across Campbelltown and Liverpool.
• Provide emotional and practical support, service navigation and follow-up to promote recovery.
• Work across Friday to Monday shifts (11:30am–8:00pm) with applicable penalty rates.
• Contribute to trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and strengths-based care within a multidisciplinary team.

Skills

Lived experience

Australian driver's license (C)

Written communication

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

Recognised degree in mental health or peer work

Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (or willingness)

Job description

Requisition ID: REQ700731

Employment Type: Permanent Part Time, up to 24 hours per week

Remuneration: Dependent on Qualification

• Health Education Officer Non- Grad: $34.08 - $49.29 per hour
• Health Education Officer Grad: $38.98 - 62.28 per hour

In addition to base salary, all roles attract 12% Superannuation + Salary Packaging

Location: SWSLD District Wide Service

Applications close: 01/11/26

Contact: Nicholas Piperides - Toward Zero Suicides Team Leader on 0457 046 754 | [e-mail]

With your skills and experience, you can contribute to the millions of ways we're enriching health, and develop your career as part of the largest health organisation in Australia.

Achieve Something Great

Towards Zero Suicides in SWSLHD brings together services focused on suicide prevention and recovery. In this role, you will work across Safe Haven and the Suicide Prevention Outreach Team (SPOT) across Campbelltown and Liverpool, supporting people through distress with a focus on hope and connection.

SAFE Haven

Safe Haven is a welcoming, non-clinical space for people experiencing emotional distress or crisis. As an alternative to emergency departments, it provides a calm and supportive environment where individuals can drop-in to connect with peer workers. The focus is on immediate emotional support, reducing isolation, and fostering safety and hope, while linking people to appropriate ongoing supports.

Suicide Prevention Outreach Team (SPOT)

The Suicide Prevention Outreach Team (SPOT) provides assertive, short-term follow-up support for individuals at risk of suicide. SPOT works collaboratively with individuals referred from hospital and community settings, supporting their transition and connection within the community. The service offers emotional and practical support, as well as service navigation to promote continuity of care and recovery. SPOT emphasises both lived experience and clinical supports equally to enhance engagement and support positive outcomes.

Learn more about these services here: https://www.swslhd.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/zero.html

Are You the Right Fit?

About

We are looking for someone who is compassionate, empathetic, and passionate about supporting others through their mental health recovery.You may be a great fit if you:

• Able to use your lived experience in a safe and purposeful way to support others in their recovery.
• Feel motivated by a role where you can provide hope and connection to people navigating their recovery journey.
• Value working within a trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and strengths-based framework.
• Are comfortable working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Able to work across Friday to Monday shifts (11:30am – 8:00pm), including public holidays, with applicable penalty rates.

Selection Criteria

• Personal lived experience of suicide and/or suicidal thoughts.Recognised Degree or other qualification deemed appropriate by the employer. Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer work or willingness to work towards completing.
• Tell us about your workplace experience using your lived experience safely and purposefully to support people in their mental health recovery, advocate for their needs while maintaining safety protocols.
• How do you apply recovery-oriented, strengths-based and trauma-informed principles when supporting individuals, including respecting personal choice, building on strengths and goals, promoting physical and psychological safety, and avoiding re-traumatisation?
• How do you communicate and work collaboratively with clinicians, mental health teams and community partners while maintaining the unique peer perspective.
• Ability to confidently use technology, apply strong written communication skills and maintain clear, accurate and timely records in your work.
• Applicants must possess an Australian C-Class driver's license (including P1 or P2). Those who hold a C class license (P1 or P2 included) from a state other than NSW must obtain a NSW C class (P1 or P2 included) license within three months of appointment. Learner's licenses are not permitted.

If you’d like more details, we’re here to help.

• Position Information
  • Applicants will be assessed against the criteria in the Position Description.
• Diversity, Culture & Inclusion
  • We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer dedicated to accessibility and a supportive recruitment experience. If you require adjustments or assistance during the application process, please contact [e-mail]
  • We value the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of our workforce and are committed to fostering a respectful and welcoming environment. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, people with disability, neurodivergent individuals, those from Refugee, multicultural and multifaith backgrounds, and members of the LGBTQI+ community.
• Aboriginal Workforce
  • For Aboriginal candidates who would like to talk to our Aboriginal Workforce Team, please contact [e-mail]. Support is also available through the Stepping Up website.

More Than Just a Job – Why Work With Us?

• Financial Perks
  • 12% superannuation
  • Salary packaging and novated leasing via Smart Salary
  • Annual leave with 17.5% leave loading (for full-time and part-time staff)
  • One extra day off each month for full-time employees
• Work-Life Balance
  • Flexible work options, including hybrid and varied hours (depending on the role)
  • Paid maternity and parental leave
  • Generous leave options like long service and carers leave
• Grow Your Career
  • Access to learning opportunities through our dedicated Education and Organisational Development team, who support staff with training, workshops, and career development programs.
• Health & Wellbeing
  • Discounted gym membership through Fitness Passport
  • Free and confidential support for staff and their families via our Staff Wellbeing and Support Service (EAP)
  • Wellbeing programs that promote mental health, resilience, and balance

Additional Information

• Vaccination Requirements
  • All staff must meet NSW Health’s vaccination and screening requirements before starting.
• Child Safe Employment
  • South Western Sydney Local Health District is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
• Temporary Positions
  • For fixed-term or temporary contracts, there may be opportunities for ongoing permanent employment, subject to policy and organisational requirements.