Study Therapist - PAPAYA

Orygen; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 79,000 - 113,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Casual role

12% superannuation

Salary packaging

Meals card

Flexible hours

Collaborative environment

Job summary

Orygen is Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health, leading pioneering research and care models for young people aged 12-25. The Study Therapist will contribute to the PAPAYA trial, delivering manualised CBT-based interventions with fidelity while collaborating with a multidisciplinary team.

The role is casual (0.3 FTE) for 12 months in Melbourne, with an hourly rate of 69.56 AUD plus 12% superannuation and salary packaging options. Applications close 18 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Tertiary qualifications in an allied health or health-related discipline, with current AHPRA registration or equivalent.
• Clinical experience in assessment, case formulation and evidence-based psychotherapy with autistic youth.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage a clinical caseload, exercise sound judgement and manage clinical risk.
• Strong interest in youth mental health research, with understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders and Good Clinical Practice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver manualised, evidence-based treatments (including CBT) with high fidelity.
• Conduct mental health and risk assessments, deliver treatment and crisis intervention, and maintain records.
• Deliver interventions alongside a co-therapist within multidisciplinary teams.
• Undertake data collection, outcomes and fidelity assessments, data entry, and adhere to GCP guidelines.
• Engage with stakeholders and participate in team meetings to support quality care.

Skills

Psychotherapy with youth

Autism spectrum experience

Clinical risk management

Research interest

Education

Allied health degree / AHPRA registration

Job description

About Orygen

Orygen is Australia’s Centre of Excellence in Youth Mental Health and the largest translational research organisation dedicated to youth mental health in the world.

For over 30 years, Orygen has led groundbreaking early intervention and developed evidence-based models of care to improve the mental health outcomes of young people aged 12-25.

About the job

The Study Therapist will deliver an experimental psychological intervention as part of the PAPAYA research trial, investigating treatment for social anxiety in autistic young people.

Reporting to Study Lead, Head of Substance Use Research, you will:

• Provide manualised, evidence-based treatments (including CBT) in line with study protocols and with a high degree of fidelity.
• Conduct mental health and risk assessments, deliver psychological treatment and crisis intervention, and maintain accurate clinical records.
• Deliver interventions alongside a co-therapist and work effectively within multidisciplinary clinical and research teams.
• Undertake data collection, outcome and fidelity assessments, data entry, and adhere to Good Clinical Practice guidelines.
• Engage with stakeholders, participate in team meetings, and support a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and quality care.

Skills and experience

The following criteria must be met for consideration for this position:

• Tertiary qualifications in an allied health or health-related discipline, with current AHPRA registration or equivalent experience.
• Clinical experience in assessment, case formulation and evidence-based psychotherapy with young adults with autism and psychiatric comorbidities.
• Ability to work autonomously, manage a clinical caseload, exercise sound judgement and manage clinical risk appropriately.
• Strong interest in youth mental health research, with an understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders, Good Clinical Practice and relevant legislation.
• Excellent communication, teamwork, organisational and time management skills, with strong attention to detail in clinical records and research data.

Benefits

• Hourly rate of $69.56 per hour inclusive of casual loading + 12% superannuation and access to $15,900 NFP salary packaging + $2,600 meals and entertainment card.
• Tailor your work hours to balance personal commitments and professional responsibilities.
• Engage in innovative projects alongside passionate professionals across various disciplines.
• Support Orygen's mission for youth mental health and contribute to positive social change.
• Experience a workspace that was thoughtfully created with input from young people, promoting a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere.

This is a casual position (0.3 FTE) contracted for 12 months.

Applications will close on 18 November 2026 (1PM), unless a suitable candidate is found sooner.

Before applying at Orygen, it’s important to understand that you may encounter sensitive information related to mental health as part of your work. Being aware of this and how it could affect you is essential in deciding if this is the right opportunity for you.

Orygen is committed to providing diverse, equitable and inclusive environments for Staff and anyone connected to Orygen. We strive to continue building a culturally safe workplace where our values underpin the way we work and our commitment to First Nations people of Australia, young people and their families, people with disabilities, LGBTIQA+ people and CALD communities. We strongly encourage applications from First Nations people.

Orygen is a child-safe organisation and is committed to promoting and protecting the safety and well-being of all young people and embedding safeguarding practices into all our programs and services. All employment appointments are subject to holding a valid working with children check and successful police check.