When you join the team at Mission Australia, you become part of a community who are determined to end homelessness and ensure people in need can thrive. United by our Christian purpose and values, we advocate for a fairer Australia, to meet the growing needs of people across the country. Together we’re building hope and possibility for all.

Your Opportunity

You know that recovery is possible. Whether you've experienced mental health challenges yourself, supported someone through a suicidal crisis, or navigated your own journey of healing and recovery, you understand the power of connection, hope and being truly heard.

At Mission Australia, we're looking for a Peer Support Worker to join our Safe Haven team, supporting people experiencing psychological distress or suicidal crisis. Drawing on your lived experience, you'll provide compassionate, non-judgemental support in a welcoming, non-clinical environment, helping people feel safe, connected and empowered to take the next step in their recovery journey.

The Safe Haven service operates in partnership with NSW Health and provides immediate support, practical assistance and pathways to ongoing care for people when they need it most. The role's purpose is to provide peer support and appropriate follow-up to people presenting in suicidal crisis or distress.

How you'll make a difference

You'll use your lived experience and peer work skills to:

Welcome and engage people experiencing distress or suicidal crisis in a safe and supportive environment.
Work alongside clinicians and other service providers to ensure appropriate supports are in place.
Build trusting relationships that foster hope, connection and recovery.
Share your lived experience purposefully to support and inspire others.
Assist consumers to develop individual recovery and safety plans.
Connect people with community supports activities, services and networks that enhance wellbeing.
Provide individual and group peer support activities.
Liaise with internal and external stakeholders to support positive client outcomes.
Maintain accurate documentation, case notes, safety plans and reports in line with service requirements.
Participate in team learning, mentoring, continuous improvement and community engagement activities
Respond to referrals from internal and external support services.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Lived experience of mental ill health and recovery, and experience navigating the mental health service system; and/or
Lived experience of suicidal crisis, caring for someone experiencing suicidal crisis, or bereavement through suicide.
A strong understanding of professional boundaries and the value of recovery-oriented practice.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
A commitment to self-care, reflective practice and ongoing learning.
The ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team environment.
Confidence using computer systems and maintaining accurate records.
A willingness to obtain, or currently hold, a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
A current NSW Driver Licence.
Capacity to work rostered hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays where required.

Before starting work with us, you will need to undertake a national police history check- qualifications, and referee checks, and have a clearance to work with children/vulnerable people.

Please note that disclosing convictions will not automatically preclude you from our recruitment process.

Your benefits

To ensure our employees feel valued, empowered, and celebrated, we provide a range of employee benefits including:

Rewarding work – every day you know you’re making a real difference
Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax
Free external, confidential counselling
Volunteering opportunities
Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave
Extra leave including: Mission Australia Thank You Day & Work Anniversary Day off

Our culture

Our innovative and inclusive culture will ensure you feel valued at Mission Australia as you help Australians in need and develop in your career.

We prioritise the safety and wellbeing of everyone, both within our team and the individuals we serve.

We are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment. We actively support and encourage people of all backgrounds; gender, age, ethnicity, race, cultural background, disability, religion, and sexual orientation to submit an application and aim to ensure that the recruitment and employee experience is as accessible and inclusive as possible. So, whoever you are, if you’re skilled and actively support our purpose and values, you would be welcome at Mission Australia.

If you live with disability and require support to submit your application, please email talentattraction@missionaustralia.com.au

We strongly encourage applications from people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander. For culturally safe support or assistance with your application, please contact us at Deadlycareers@missionaustralia.com.au