CCLHD - Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Peer Worker

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time till August 2026
Position Classification: Health Education Officer (Grad & Non Grad)
Remuneration: $1,197.54 - $2,188.38 Per Week
Hours Per Week: 38
Location: Wyong
Requisition ID: REQ598754
Applications Close: Sunday, 28 September 2025 at 11.59pm

This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the selection criteria. 

At Central Coast Local Health District, our strategic vision is Trusted Care. Better Health for Everyone.  A key priority in achieving this vision is strengthening cultural safety and delivering more responsive care for Aboriginal people on the Central Coast.

We’re seeking a proud and passionate Aboriginal person with lived experience of suicide recovery to take on a vital and deeply meaningful role:  Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Peer Worker.  Based at our CCLHD Safe Haven Services, this role is about more than individual support - it’s about walking alongside community, fostering healing through connection, culture, and compassion, and helping build a system where people feel heard, safe, and supported.
 

About the Opportunity

As an Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Peer Worker, you will offer culturally grounded, trauma-informed, person-centred peer support to people experiencing suicidal distress. Drawing on your lived experience, cultural knowledge, and strong community connections, you will be a guide, a support, and a voice of hope for those navigating tough times.

This is more than a job - it’s a chance to use your story, strength and cultural values to create change and support recovery.  Your responsibilities will include -

• Direct Peer Support: Provide one-on-one peer support to people at risk of suicide. Use your own lived experience to promote hope, social connection, and reduce isolation — always in a way that is safe, respectful, and empowering.
• Cultural Healing & Support: Weave cultural knowledge and practices into every interaction. Promote the importance of culture, identity, and connection to Country as critical elements of mental wellbeing and suicide recovery.
• Community Engagement: Actively involve Aboriginal community members in support processes, ensuring their voices, traditions, and perspectives are respected and reflected. Maintain strong local connections that guide culturally safe responses.
• Recovery-Oriented Practice: Support individuals using a recovery-focused, trauma-informed approach that empowers people to take control of their healing journey, honouring their strengths, cultural identity, and personal goals.
• Safe Storytelling: Share your experiences in a way that offers insight and connection, while ensuring emotional safety for both yourself and the person you're supporting.
  
   

Why This Role Matters

Your work will directly support CCLHD’s vision for Aboriginal mental health and wellbeing. You will:
 

• Be a cultural connector between services and community.
• Help ensure that care is culturally safe, person-led, and healing-focused.
• Contribute to truth-telling, respect, and reconciliation in how we respond to suicide in Aboriginal communities.
• Reduce shame, stigma and disconnection by walking beside people with strength and compassion.
  
  For more information about this role, please view the Position Description.
  
   

About You

You are a proud Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person with lived experience of suicide recovery and a deep understanding of the strength of culture, connection, and community.  You are someone who:
 

• Brings cultural knowledge and wisdom, grounded in community and Country.
• Understands the importance of peer connection, especially in times of distress.
• Is ready to use their experience to inspire hope and healing in others.
• Can engage safely in difficult conversations with warmth, courage, and care.
• Believes deeply in culturally safe, strengths-based mental health care.
• Is willing to obtain a Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work while employed in this role
  
   

Additional Benefits 
 

• Work-life balance: Enjoy an accrued day off each month, 17.5% annual leave loading, and paid parental leave.  
• Financial benefits: Boost your take-home pay with salary packaging, save on car costs with novated leasing, and access relocation assistance. 
• Health & wellbeing: Stay active with discounted gym memberships (Fitness Passport), free flu vaccinations, telehealth support, and confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) counselling for you and your family. Plus, access discounted private health insurance. 
• Professional development: Advance your career with free professional development courses and secondment opportunities.  
• Cultural Supports: NAIDOC leave, access to cultural mentoring and supervision, networking with other Aboriginal staff and health professionals. 
  
   

Need more information?
Niki Wardrope
Phone: 0407 498 675
Email: Niki.Wardrope@health.nsw.gov.au

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants can access support through the Stepping Up initiative, which provides guidance on the NSW Health recruitment process. You’re also welcome to reach out to Nathan Bramston in our Aboriginal Workforce Development Team at CCLHD-AboriginalWorkforce@health.nsw.gov.au or call 02 4320 3519 for one-on-one support.

Click here to find out more about applying for this position.

Working for Central Coast Local Health District - NSW Health 

Central Coast Local Health District is committed to implementing the Child Safe Standards.

Central Coast Local Health District is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Vaccination Requirements

All NSW Health workers are required to comply with the Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Against Specified Infectious Diseases Policy Directive. This includes:

Category A positions: Mandatory evidence of protection against specified infectious diseases, including annual influenza vaccination and tuberculosis assessment. 
Category B positions: Vaccination is recommended but not mandatory. 

Applicants must provide appropriate evidence of compliance prior to commencement. For detailed information, please refer to the NSW Health Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination Policy.

NSW Health strongly recommends all workers stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations as per the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation guidelines. However, COVID-19 vaccination is not a condition of employment.  

Additional Information

An Eligibility List (E-List) or talent pool may be created from this recruitment episode to assist in filling future permanent, temporary, or casual full-time and part-time positions. 

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You are encouraged to complete applications on a weekday where Technical Support is available Monday to Friday 8.30am to 4.30pm by phoning ROB Help Desk on 1300 679 367.