Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/MHW48/

The Department of Health plays a critical role in the Victorian health system and is responsible for shaping it to meet the health needs of all Victorians. We’re focused on supporting Victorians to be as healthy as they can; whether through alerting them to seasonal risks like thunderstorm asthma, notifying them of contact with communicable diseases, safeguarding their drinking water, developing the best health, wellbeing and care facilities in the world, being at the forefront of mental health and wellbeing treatment or accelerating medical research. It’s all part of the way we partner with the community to help every individual lead a healthy life.

About the role

The Policy & Advisory Officer, Lived Experience (Mental Health Family/Carer) is part of the Lived Experience Strategy & Policy team in the Lived Experience and Diverse Communities Unit and is responsible for providing high quality strategic lived experience policy advice, research and analysis across the Mental Health and Wellbeing Division. The Policy and Advisory Officer ensures the perspectives of families, carers and supporters of people with mental health challenges and psychological distress are central to the design, delivery, and review of mental health and alcohol and other drug (AOD) policies, programmes and services. This role reflects the Royal Commission's recommendation that the Mental Health and Wellbeing Division employ people with lived or living experience in substantive positions.

Key responsibilities





- Implement recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System through the provision of family, carer and supporter perspectives across the reform agenda.
- Embed families, carers and supporters in the design, delivery, and review of services across the mental health and wellbeing and AOD systems.
- Elevate lived experience leadership and promote the value of families, carers and supporters.
- Support Mental Health and Wellbeing Division staff in partnership activity and partnering with people with lived and living experience as families/carers in the implementation of the Royal Commission’s recommendations.
- Support the cultural shift and practices that enable the views of families/carers to be central to the design and delivery of mental health policies, programmes and services.
- Monitor and report on high‑priority issues, risks and trends and prepare and present reports, ministerial briefs, Cabinet and agency submissions.
- Maintain an understanding of Commonwealth and State legislative and policy reform directions to influence policy development.
- Provide authoritative advice, reasoned recommendations and cutting-edge solutions to complex and sensitive issues based on comprehensive research.

Qualifications and experience

- Mandatory:



this is a designated family/carer lived‑experience role which requires declared personal experience of supporting someone living with mental health challenges or psychological distress, and professional experience working with this expertise in roles that represent the family/carer perspective.
- Experience in working or leading from a family/carer lived‑experience perspective (paid or volunteer) is required.
- A tertiary qualification in fields related to mental health, public health, public policy, community engagement, project management, AOD, communications, administration, business management or related fields would be an advantage.
- Knowledge and experience in government would be desirable.

What we offer

- The opportunity to perform meaningful work, making direct contributions toward enabling Victorians to be the healthiest people in the world.
- A wide range of growth and development opportunities within the department and wider Victorian Public Service & Sector.
- A strong commitment to work‑life balance, including a diverse array of flexible working arrangements.

Preferred applicant notes

Preferred applicants may be required to complete a police check and other pre‑employment checks. Information provided will be treated in the strictest confidence in line with our Privacy Policy.

EEO statement

We encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds. All roles can be worked flexibly. Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process at

Applications close

Tuesday 28 July 2026 at 11.59pm

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📌 Policy & Advisory Officer, Prevention, Policy & Inclusion / Lived Experience Strategy & Policy (Melbourne)
🏢 State Government Of Victoria, Australia
📍 Melbourne