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 via Smart Salary

Annual leave with 17.5% leave loading

One extra day off each month

Work-Life Balance

Hybrid and varied hours

Maternity and parental leave

Long service and carers leave

Health & Wellbeing program / EAP

Discounted gym membership

Job summary

South Western Sydney Local Health District invites applications for a Health Education Officer (Non-Grad) up to 24 hours per week. You will contribute to Safe Haven and SPOT across Campbelltown and Liverpool, focusing on hope, connection and trauma‑informed, recovery‑oriented care.

You should have lived experience of suicide and/or suicidal thoughts, and may hold a qualification such as a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or be working toward it.

Qualifications

• Personal lived experience of suicide and/or suicidal thoughts.
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or willingness to work toward completing.
• Use lived experience safely to support mental health recovery.
• Ability to communicate with clinicians, teams and community partners.
• Australian C-Class driver's license (including P1 or P2); NSW licensing rules apply.

Responsibilities

• Support people through distress via SAFE Haven and SPOT.
• Work across Campbelltown and Liverpool with focus on hope and connection.
• Provide emotional support, service navigation and link to ongoing supports.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver recovery-oriented care.

Skills

Lived Experience

Written Communication

Technology Proficiency

Team Collaboration

Education

Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work

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?

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

To help us assess your suitability for the role, please tell us as much as you can about yourself in response to the questions below.

• 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.

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.