Suicide Prevention Peer Worker, SafeHaven - SESLHD MHS

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD); Sydney; On-site; AUD 54,000 - 85,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Salary packaging options up to $9K for

Up to 12 days off per year

Learning and development opportunities

Discounted gym memberships

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) invites applications for Suicide Prevention Peer Worker at SafeHaven in Sydney's south-eastern area. The role is casual, based in Kogarah, supporting afterhours suicide prevention services.

You will provide peer support to people in suicidal distress, deliver education to staff and community, and participate in a responsive, trauma-informed program with training and supervision provided.

Qualifications

• Personal lived experience of suicidal crisis and ability to provide peer support.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Provide peer support to people experiencing suicidal distress.
• Deliver education to staff and community about suicide prevention.
• Work within Safe Haven afterhours program (5pm–9pm, 6 days a week) with supervision and training.

Skills

Lived experience

Communication

MS Office

Education

Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work

Health degree (Graduate Health Education Officers)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Suicide Prevention Peer Worker, SafeHaven - South Eastern Sydney Local Health District, Mental Health Service

Employment Type: Casual

Position Classification: Health Education Officer Graduate, Health Education Officer Non-Graduate

Remuneration: $38.99 - $62.29 per hour, plus superannuation

Hours Per Week: As required

Requisition ID: REQ690659

Location: Kogarah, Sydney

Applications close date: 20 September 2026

The SESLHD Mental Health Service is a specialised clinical service, providing care to a local population of over 930,000 residents in the Sydney metropolitan area. We provide care within both hospital and community settings to support people living with mental illness at times when acute intervention is needed, or to remain well in their community and lead their own recovery.

Learn more about us here: South Eastern Sydney Local Health District

Come Work With Us!

An exciting opportunity to be a part of delivering an innovative suicide prevention program. Be a part of a fantastic and contemporary team, making a difference to people experiencing suicidal distress and working as part of our casual pool, as much or little as you like. The Alternative to Emergency Department, SafeHaven aims to provide people experiencing suicidal crisis rapid access to compassionate care from suicide prevention workers and received support to access appropriate services.

Where you'll be working

Safe Haven, Kirk Place, Kogarah. The Safe Haven is an afterhours drop in program open 5pm - 9pm, 6 days a week (Thursday to Tuesday). Evening work is a requirement of the role. Staff will be provided with training, reflective supervision and support to ensure the delivery of a high quality non-clinical suicide prevention program. Staff will be supported to use their knowledge and skills to facilitate education to other staff and community members about suicide prevention.

Additional Benefits

• Financial benefits - Salary packaging options - Up to $9K for living expenses, $2.6K meal & entertainment, and Novated Leasing. Discounted Private Health Insurance.
• Work-life balance - Up to 12 allocated days off each year (for full-time employees) in addition to annual leave.
• Professional growth - Learning and development opportunities, including in-house training with RTO My Health Learning.
• Health & Wellbeing - Discounted gym memberships with a Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and family members.

Selection Criteria

• Personal lived experience of suicidal crisis, and ability to meaningfully and purposefully use lived experience to provide peer support to people at risk of suicide.
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or relevant work experience as a Peer Support Worker. For Graduate Health Education Officers, additional relevant health degree required.
• Demonstrated experience in using recovery orientated, trauma informed principles and situational distress approaches in providing support to people experiencing suicidal distress.
• Understanding of the suicide prevention sector and ability to utilise appropriate suicide prevention support such as crisis response, safety planning and managing risk.
• Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to co-design and lived experience leadership in service provision.
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively within the multi-disciplinary team and with a diverse range of stakeholders including service users, families and service providers.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Demonstrated excellent computer skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

For role related queries or questions contact Katie Thorburn on [e-mail]

We encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.

Our values and commitment to diversity

Our CORE Values are Collaboration, Openness, Respect and Empowerment and have been created by employees for employees and help define how we work and to inspire positive interactions in the workplace.

We embrace diversity as our strength and are committed to maintaining an inclusive and collaborative work environment. Our workplaces are welcoming and safe for all our employees, irrespective of their unique characteristic including age, ethnicity, cultural or spiritual background, gender identity, disability, education and social-economic status. Read about our Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Strategy for more information.

Reasonable Adjustments

NSW Health recognises everyone is unique, and that you may require some adjustments to ensure you have the best opportunity to apply. If we can make some adjustments to the NSW Health recruitment/interview process, then please email [e-mail] and let us know.

Adjustments may include but are not limited to, physical requirements, interview setups and specific interview availability times where required. Please visit the SESLHD Disability Recruitment page for more information

Information For Applicants

• An eligibility list may be created for future Permanent Full Time positions
• Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable permanent resident or citizen of Australia has been identified for this position following suitable labour market testing
• Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained withing the position description
• Recommended applicants will be reviewed or compliance with NSW Health policy directive Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specific Diseases for all positions prior to offer.
• We do have an Aboriginal Workforce Team that can also provide support ([e-mail]) and for additional information please visit our Stepping Up Website