2 x Permanent Full-time roles, 38 hours per week

Location: Mt Barker SA 5251 and Murray Bridge SA 5253

Great Salary: $ 78,189.13 Base Salary ($39.56 per hour) + Super + NFP Salary Packaging Benefits

Make a meaningful difference to the lives of people recovering from suicidal crisis

Life at Mission Australia

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 were building hope and possibility for all.

Find out more about us and our purpose .

Your Opportunity As a Peer Worker, your lived experience is your greatest strength. At Mission Australia, we recognise the insight, resilience and empathy gained through your own journey, and how these qualities can inspire hope and create meaningful change in the lives of others.

We are seeking two passionate Peer Workers to join our Universal Aftercare program, based in Mount Barker and Murray Bridge. This program provides short-term, non-clinical support (up to three months) to people aged 16 and over following a suicide attempt or suicidal crisis, helping them reconnect with supports and continue their recovery journey.

In this role, you will draw on your lived or living experience of mental health challenges, recovery, suicidal crisis, or supporting someone through these experiences. Your ability to connect with empathy, understanding and hope will help people feel heard, reduce isolation and build confidence in taking positive steps forward.

Working under the guidance of the Program Manager and as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will provide recovery-oriented peer support through one-on-one engagement, safety and care planning, outreach and connection to community services. Through this work, you will help people overcome barriers to accessing support, strengthen wellbeing and build greater independence and community connection.

Lived experience is a mandatory requirement for this role. As part of your application, please outline your lived experience, including mental health challenges, recovery, suicidal crisis, or supporting someone through these experiences.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

Respond to referrals and assist with intake assessments and suitability evaluations for clients entering the program.

Provide individualized peer support to help clients achieve recovery goals, including safety planning, care coordination, and wellbeing check-ins.

Support clients through outreach and in-reach services in environments where they feel safe and comfortable.

Assist clients in transitioning to independence or other services, connecting them with community resources to maintain recovery and wellbeing.

Promote wellbeing and recovery by modelling lived experience and safe storytelling.

Contribute to group programs, team forums, and administrative tasks such as case files, reports, and data entry in line with Mission Australia protocols.

Requirements for Success

Demonstrated lived experience of suicidal crisis, caring for someone in crisis, or bereavement from suicide.

Certificate IV or higher in Peer Work (or equivalent qualification/experience acceptable to Mission Australia).

Current valid WWCC, First Aid & CPR, and a current South Australian Drivers Licence

Sound understanding of mental health, suicidality, recovery-oriented practice, and psycho-social rehabilitation.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport and maintain relationships with clients, stakeholders, and service providers.

Experience collaborating with mental health and/or community services.

Ability to maintain professional boundaries and work within a recovery and lived expertise framework.

Proficiency in administrative tasks and computer literacy, including Microsoft Office and client management systems.

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.

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 youre making a real difference

Not-for-profit salary packaging, reducing your tax (details via AccessPay )

Free external, confidential counselling and access to chaplaincy support

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 youre 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 or visit our Careers page for additional contact details.

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

Find out more about a career with Mission Australia .

How to apply

Click Apply and send your application today!

As a committed Circle Back Initiative employer, we will respond to your application.

Applications are shortlisted as they are received. Please apply as soon as possible to be considered. Thank you