Peer Practitioner

• Utilise your lived experience to provide effective recovery support to young people experiencing mental health challenges and help them achieve their wellbeing goals.
• Permanent, part-time role - 18 hours per week 
• Bendigo Location

Mind strongly encourages applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, people with a lived experience of mental ill health and recovery, and applicants from all cultures, genders, sexualities, bodies, abilities, spiritualities, ages and backgrounds.

Mind Australia is one of Australia’s largest providers of community-managed psychosocial services, supporting people experiencing mental health and wellbeing challenges to find help, hope and purpose in their lives. Operating for almost 50 years and employing more than 1,300 staff around Australia, Mind is a leading employer of people with lived experience of mental health challenges, recognising their unique ability to connect with and motivate clients and guide recovery.

About the Role

We are seeking a self-motivated Peer Practitioner to join the Youth Prevention and Recovery Care Service (YPARC) in Bendigo.

In this role, you will draw on your lived or living experience of mental health and/or alcohol and other drug challenges to engage directly with young people and provide empathetic, strengths-based support. You’ll support young people to build confidence, strengthen independence and take meaningful steps towards their personal recovery goals within a recovery-oriented, peer-led approach.

About the Service

The Bendigo Youth Prevention and Recovery Care Service (YPARC) is a 10-bed residential service supporting young people aged 16–25 years.

The service provides recovery-focused and clinical support through a partnership between Mind Australia and Bendigo Health, offering a ‘step up, step down’ model for young people requiring individualised treatment and support.

Key responsibilities

• Provide individual peer support grounded in your own lived/living experience of mental health and/or AOD challenges.
• Utilise the Intentional Peer Support (IPS) framework to walk alongside individuals in distress.
• Design and facilitate group programs that support peer connection and wellbeing.
• Support people to connect with services and community supports that promote independence, wellbeing and participation in daily life.
• Participate in regular training, peer co-reflection, and professional development.
• Actively contribute to co-design and service improvement, championing the voice of people with lived experience.

What you’ll bring

• Completion of Intentional Peer Support Core and/ or Advanced Training, or Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, is desirable but not required.
• Lived/living experience and willingness to support clients through sharing your own learnings and recovery orientated practice
• Experience working with people with complex mental health issues, as well as their families, support networks and carers.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build authentic and respectful relationships with young people.
• Current First Aid and CPR certifications.
• Ability to provide evidence of annual influenza vaccination or willingness to receive the annual influenza vaccination as required for the service.

Benefits

• Salary packaging up to $15,899 p.a. allows you to allocate a portion of your pre-tax income to cover living expenses (e.g. rent, mortgage, childcare, car leasing expenses etc.)
• Option to access Meal and Entertainment allowance up to $2,650 p.a. via Salary Packaging.
• Generous leave entitlements including 8 weeks paid parental leave, 17.5% annual leave loading.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP), provided by Converge International, for you and your immediate family members.
• Fitness Passport - Access to our corporate health and fitness program, providing you and family with access to a wide choice of fitness facilities.
• Workplace Banking Portal that provides convenient access to a range of banking and lifestyle benefits offered through Mind’s CommBank programs.
• Professional development through regular Practice Development sessions and coaching with your supervisor.

Interested?

To apply online visit Mind Careers - reference number 500257. Online applications must be submitted by 11pm Tuesday 1 September 2026. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as the advertisement may close early if a suitable candidate is identified.

For more information, please contact:

Emma Botheras - Service Manager Bendigo YPARC

Emma.Botheras@mindaustralia.org.au

Mind is committed to a barrier-free recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to complete your application, please email hr@mindaustralia.org.au

Position Description

 PD Peer Practitioner (YPARC Bendigo) 20260731.pdf