Lived Experience Peer Worker

Lived Experience Peer Worker

Part-time opportunity available | Upstart Mental Health Program | South Melbourne

Make a real difference in your community.

Are you passionate about supporting others on their mental health recovery journey? We're looking for a Lived Experience Peer Worker to join our team and use your lived experience to inspire hope, connection and positive change.

As a not-for-profit organisation, Better Health Network supports people and families at different stages of life and works with communities to strengthen health and wellbeing. We believe that better health and wellbeing is built around community.

About the role

The Upstart program supports people experiencing mental health challenges to build community connections, develop skills and explore pathways to volunteering, study and employment. As a Lived Experience Peer Worker, you'll draw on your own recovery journey and peer work practice to support participants in achieving their goals and building meaningful lives in their communities.

Working alongside Care Coordinators and Mental Health Recovery Clinicians, you'll build authentic relationships that promote recovery, self-determination and wellbeing.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing one-on-one peer support using a strengths-based, recovery-oriented approach
• Supporting participants to engage with community, education, volunteering and employment opportunities
• Co-facilitating group activities that encourage connection and participation
• Collaborating with participants, families, carers and multidisciplinary team members
• Contributing to recovery planning, care reviews and safety planning
• Promoting the program and maintaining accurate participant records

About you

You'll be someone who is comfortable drawing on your own lived experience of mental health challenges to support others in a respectful, purposeful and recovery-focused way. You'll value collaboration, bring empathy and authenticity to your work, and be committed to helping people achieve their goals.

To be successful, you'll bring:

• A qualification in peer work, lived experience, mental health, welfare or a related field
• Personal lived experience of mental health challenges and confidence using that experience therapeutically and appropriately
• Experience working in community or mental health settings
• Experience facilitating or supporting group activities
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building and communication skills
• A commitment to recovery-oriented, person-centred practice
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• Experience working with diverse communities, including LGBTQIA+ and culturally diverse communities

Desirable:

• Experience providing individual and group peer support within a community mental health service
• Ability to speak a second language

Why join BHN?

At BHN, you'll be part of a passionate mental health team that values lived experience and recognises the important role peer workers play in recovery.

We offer:

• Flexible work arrangements to support work-life balance
• Salary packaging benefits to increase your take-home pay
• Professional development and learning opportunities
• A collaborative and supportive team culture
• Opportunities to work alongside experienced mental health professionals
• The chance to make a genuine difference in people's lives every day

Location

This role is primarily based at South Melbourne, with travel to community settings and other BHN locations as required.

Apply now with your resume and cover letter describing why you’d like to join the team and how your experience aligns with the role. Apply by 16 September 2026

Applications will be assessed as received, so early applications are encouraged.

For enquiries about the role, please reach out to Maria Garda Ortiz, Team Leader Mental Health (Wellbeing) at ******@bhn.org.au

We value Accountability, Collaboration, Respect and Courage, and we strive to create an inclusive environment that welcomes people from all backgrounds, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, culturally and linguistically diverse, and LGBTQIA+ communities.

Pre-employment checks include reference checks, a National Police Check, Working with Children Check, NDIS Worker Screening Check, evidence of the right to work in Australia and confirmation of a current full or probationary driver’s licence.

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