headspace is Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation and provides support to young people aged 12-25 experiencing mild to moderate or emerging mental health concerns. The multidisciplinary team at headspace Port Adelaide provide free services to work to improve mental health, sexual and physical health, alcohol and other drugs, and vocational and educational outcomes for young people. Centacare is the lead agency for headspace Port Adelaide.

Youth Mental Health Peer Worker (headspace)

• Part-time, Fixed term contract till 30.06.28 | Location:  Port Adelaide
• Collaborative and client focused team | Experienced and supportive leadership
• SCHCADS L 4 $44.58 p/h + PBI salary packaging

The Role

Youth Mental Health Peer Workers utilise their own lived experience of mental health challenges to bring hope and support the recovery of young people they walk alongside in their journey at headspace Port Adelaide. Guided by strengths-based, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented approaches, Youth Mental Health Peer Workers integrate these principles into every aspect of their work, including service delivery, advocacy, and teamwork with the multidisciplinary team.

What you will bring to this role:

• Understanding how to use your experiences to connect with others, fostering a sense of understanding, empathy, and hope. Building relationships based on shared experiences and mutual respect. 
• Understanding of mental health peer work and mental health recovery framework principles and values, and how to apply them in practice.
• Understanding the scope of the peer work role – understanding the differences between clinical and non-clinical approaches.
• Ability to identify and respond appropriately to vulnerable individuals who may be at risk.
• Capacity to hold space for emotional complexity with care, while maintaining professional boundaries to protect both personal wellbeing and the safety of those you support.
• Ability to advocate for individuals' rights, help them identify and utilise their strengths, and support them in making positive changes towards recovery. 
• Knowledge of clinical mental health and community services and other appropriate referral pathways, during, or post peer support.
• Capacity to problem solve effectively, engage and work creatively with individuals and within the organisation.
• Capacity and willingness to conduct presentations and programs to large groups of people working from a lived experience perspective.
• Ability to work effectively in a team.
• Excellent organisational, interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal) to communicate effectively with individuals. Liaise, build relationships and partnerships, consult and negotiate with a wide variety of stakeholders.

 To be successful in this role, you will need:

• Valid Department of Human Services (DHS) Working with Children Check 
• Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or Mental Health Peer Work Skillset (or willing to work towards).
• Certificate IV in Mental Health (or equivalent).
• Valid South Australian driver's licence.

 See attached position description for full details. 

Prior to receiving a formal offer of employment with Centacare, the following documents must be provided for this role:

• Driver’s licence.
• Valid Working with Children Check (WWCC).
• Evidence of right to work in Australia.
• 100 points of identification.

What's in it for you

• SCHCADS Level 4 $44.58 p/h + super + PBI salary packaging.
• Generous salary packaging to help increase your take home pay.
• Meal and entertainment card option available.
• High performing, goal focused, collaborative & supportive team environment.
• Longstanding and reputable organisation.
• Ongoing training and development opportunities.
• Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• Health insurance discounts with Bupa.

About Us

Each year, we support more than 20,000 people across metropolitan and regional South Australia through a wide range of community services, guided by a strong ethical framework. We are committed to a client-focused approach, delivering effective and flexible support to people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, cultures, religions, gender identities, and sexual orientations.

Centacare is a Child Safe, Quality Accredited Organisation and a registered NDIS provider. We value individuality and embrace diversity, working in consultation and collaboration while upholding integrity and professionalism in everything we do.

We are dedicated to fostering a respectful and inclusive workplace, free from harassment and discrimination. Our commitment to equal opportunity reflects our mission, vision, and values—and we believe that our positive culture leads to better outcomes for our clients.

To learn more about us, explore our Who we are page and our organisational video.

How to Apply

Please submit your resume and cover letter (as one document) detailing your interest in this position and outlining the experience and qualifications that you can bring to the role. To access the position description or submit your application click on the Apply button. 

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity please contact Tanja Humphries , Manager, on 08 8303 6660.

Closing Date: 5 pm, 17 November 2025.

We encourage applicants to apply promptly as applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the job posting may close without notice.

Applicants from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

With respect, no agencies please.