First Nations Family Peer Worker

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
  
First Nations Family Peer Workers are a committed to supporting families and carers of First Nations young people seeking support at headspace services. They draw on their lived experience of identity and cultural connection to engage directly with First Nations families and offer empathic listening, provide support, information and connection.

This is a newly developed role within a brand-new program seeking to reduce stigma and identify and address barriers that may impact on young, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander young people’s engagement to access mental health care.
  
Reporting to the Clinical Services Manager you will:

• Support First Nations families and carers through culturally safe, non-clinical peer work that values lived experience and promotes engagement with headspace.
• Provide information, psychoeducation, and empathic listening, using intentional peer support frameworks and Family Peer Work principles.
• Advocate for the voice of families in service planning and delivery, offering drop-in, appointment-based, and outreach support via face-to-face, phone, or video.
• Build relationships with families, communities, and stakeholders by co-facilitating workshops, events, and family-inclusive activities.
• Contribute to service development, program evaluation, team collaboration, and accurate documentation, while promoting a safe and inclusive workplace culture.

(ONLY INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS ARE ELIGIBLE TO APPLY AS THIS POSITION IS EXEMPT UNDER THE SPECIAL MEASURE PROVISION, SECTION 12(1) OF THE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY ACT 2011 (VIC)
  
Skills and experience
  
The following criteria must be met for consideration for this position:

• Willingness to participate in a peer work or relevant tertiary course.
• Lived experience as a First Nations family member.
• A personal experience of supporting a child and/or young adult family member who is/was experiencing mental ill health or alcohol and other drugs and is not currently a client of an Orygen led headspace centre or of Orygen.
• Capacity to share own lived experience in a meaningful, appropriate and considered way.
• Confidence and ability to approach families and work collaboratively with a wide range of people.

Benefits

• $68,330 – $74,554 pro rata commensurate with skills and experience + 12% superannuation and $15,900 in NFP salary packaging + $2,600 meals and entertainment card.
• Make a real impact on young people in a dynamic, youth-centered environment.
• Support Orygen’s mission for youth mental health and contribute to positive social change.
• Be part of a team that values collaboration and innovative thinking, driving impactful results.
• Ability to purchase additional leave; access to EAP; generous Parental Leave Scheme.
• Benefit from a location that is easily accessible by public transport and offers amenities that support a healthy work-life balance.

How to apply
  
If you’re ready to make a difference in youth mental health and be part of a collaborative, innovative team, apply now.
  
For the full position description, visit https://www.orygen.org.au/getmedia/33a00af9-9752-4c4b-8ec1-67cd1edc894a/FN-Family-Peer-Worker-Role-PD-September-2025-Melton.pdf.aspx 
  
This is a part time (0.4 – 2 days per week role) until December 2027.
  
We welcome applicants interested in working across both Melton and Werribee. A combined 0.8 FTE (4 days per week) position is available—please note this preference in your cover letter.
  
Applications will close on 16th October (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.