Experienced Peer Worker – Perinatal Mental Health (Lived Experience)

Join the NEW Peach Tree team in Townsville and make a meaningful difference in the lives of parents during pregnancy and early parenthood.

Townsville Permanent Part-Time 28 hrs/week (MonThu)

About Peach Tree

Peach Tree is a community-based peer-led mental health organisation supporting parents partners and families impacted by emotional and mental health challenges during pregnancy and early parenthood.

We centre lived experience in everything we do and are committed to creating safe inclusive and trauma informed spaces where parents feel heard respected and supported.

Peach Tree is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We encourage applications from people of all genders Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples people with disabilities LGBTIQA individuals and people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

About the Role

Use your personal experience of perinatal mental health challenges to walk alongside parents offering connection understanding and hope. The Program Support Officer role builds on your existing peer work experience or progress towards a peer work qualification and is ideally suited to an experienced peer worker who is comfortable working both 1:1 with service participants and facilitating groups autonomously or with a co-facilitator.

Program Support Officers conduct participant intake and deliver internal and external peer-led programs such as the Sunshine Parenting Program (SPP) Connecting Parents to Pathways Program (CPTP) PeerZone and/or Circle of Security Parenting. This role is part of a supportive program team reporting to the Regional Leader.

This is a designated lived experience role. Due to the peer-led nature of our service an inherent requirement of the position is personal lived experience of perinatal mental health challenges which is used intentionally and professionally to support others.

• Hours: 28 hours per week across Monday Thursday (flexible)
• Pay: $44.58 per hour super salary packaging (SCHADS Level 4)

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to program referrals and conduct intake by providing relevant information determining eligibility and conducting any necessary pre- and post-program screening of potential participants showing a high degree of sensitivity to individual circumstances
• Identify parents who may require additional support and work with the Regional Leader to determine appropriate support and referral pathways
• Follow up parents who are absent from scheduled programs to encourage re-engagement and explore possible solutions to identified barriers
• Facilitate peer-led groups and programs focused on perinatal mental health wellbeing and parenting
• Welcome and support parents with empathy respect and non judgement
• Create empowering trauma informed spaces that support healing and connection
• Maintain confidentiality and accurate service records

About You

• Have lived experience of mental health challenges related to pregnancy or early parenthood and feel ready to use this experience purposefully
• Have existing peer work experience
• Have completed (or working towards) a relevant qualification (such as the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or Intentional Peer Support) or other qualifications with transferable skills
• Be open to learning training and reflective practice
• Bring compassion confidentiality and a strong commitment to peer support
• Hold or be willing to obtain a Blue Card (Working with Children Check) National Police Check and Pertussis (Whooping Cough) vaccination

We encourage applications from individuals who are passionate about supporting parents and families even if you dont meet every single requirement.

What We Offer

A Flexible & Supportive Workplace

• As an organisation of parents we understand and support the needs of family life offering flexible part-time hours.
• Subsidised mental health support including professional supervision and reflective practice
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support your wellbeing
• A values-led trauma-informed workplace

Training & Professional Development

• Training in the Peach Tree Peer Practice Framework
• Opportunities for additional learning such as ASIST and Circle of Security
• Ongoing professional development including external workshops and conferences

Financial Benefits

• Keep more of your salary! You can receive up to $15900 per year in tax-free benefits increasing your take-home pay
• QLeave portable long service leave
• Discounts & cashback on everyday expenses (groceries petrol and more) through Employment Hero

How to Apply

Wed love to hear from you! Along with your resume please upload a brief cover letter reflecting on how your lived experience has informed your approach skills and suitability for this role.

Applications close on Friday 16th January.

As Peach Tree will be closed over the Christmas and New Year period responses may take a little longer than usual. We value everyone who expresses interest in joining our team and aim to respond to all applicants by the end of January. Thank you for your patience! If you have questions please reach out to us at