Senior Consumer Peer Support Worker

• Location: Sunshine Hospital – Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre (Unit 3)
• Employment Type: Ongoing, Part-Time (32 hours/week)
• Salary: Lived Experience Worker – Level 3 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

The Western Health Mental Health and Wellbeing Services are situated in a growth corridor where continuous development, service expansion and innovative new programs are on the rise. The Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing spans across multiple Western Health sites including Sunshine, Footscray, Melton and Sunbury with growth expected throughout the full scope of Western Health’s reach. 

We are seeking an enthusiastic, compassionate Senior Consumer Peer Support Worker to join our inpatient team at Sunshine's Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre. Our unique perspective compliments the professional knowledge, skills and service delivery of the multidisciplinary teams we work closely within.

This role requires demonstrated experience in a designated lived experience role from the consumer perspective. We are seeking people who are willing to not only walk alongside consumers in their recovery journeys, but provide guidance and mentorship to other peers, fostering growth and development within the team.

Key responsibilities:

• A personal lived/living experience of mental health challenges and accessing mental health services.
• Sound understanding of the Intentional Peer Support framework, the roles of peer support workers and peer workforce values relating to consumer/carer rights.
• Ability to mutually support consumers in their own recovery; sharing your lived experience to support them to take positive steps towards their own wellbeing.
• Build an understanding of the effectiveness of the role of lived experience workforces within clinical mental health services.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to consult, liaise and work collaboratively with multiple stakeholders.

Click here for the Position Description

About Western Health 

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs.   

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.  

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.  

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall. 

Why join us?

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
• Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
• Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.

Learning and development opportunities

• Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
• Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
• Mentorship and career support.

Community impact and inclusion

• Make a meaningful difference in patients' lives through compassionate care.
• Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
• Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.

Organisational culture and environment

• Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
• Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.

Ready to make an impact? 

If you’re passionate about providing leadership within a lived experience workforce and supporting recovery-oriented care for consumers, carers, and families, we’d love to hear from you. Click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts. 

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.  

Closing date: 11:59pm on 1 May 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Caroline Schmidli via Caroline.Schmidli@wh.org.au or 0492 038 760.

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe. 

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable). 

Western Health is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies. 

Western Health