Location: Melbourne - CBD and Inner Metro suburbs

Reference: VG/MHW48/777724B

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. This role is responsible for providing high-quality strategic lived experience policy advice 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, programs and services.

This role reflects the Royal Commission's recommendation that the Mental Health and Wellbeing Division employs people with lived or living experience in multiple, substantive positions.

The role is a critical part of the Division's work in:

- Implementing recommendations from the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System, through the provision of family, carer and supporter perspectives across the reform agenda
- Embedding families, carers and supporters in the design, delivery, and review of services across the mental health and wellbeing and AOD systems
- Elevating lived experience leadership and promoting the value of families, carers and supporters




- Ensuring contemporary approaches to partnership with people with lived and living experience in all implementation work and striving for consistency in approaches and methodologies
- Supporting the cultural shift and practices that will enable the views of families, carers and supporters to be central to the design and delivery of mental health policies, programs and services.

To be successful in this role, you will be a high performing team member with analytical, strategic planning, project management, and communication skills. Success in this role will be predicated on the ability to work collaboratively with staff across the division and with sector partners to ensure outcomes are achieved.

About us

At the Victorian Department of Health we want a future where Victorians are the healthiest people in the world. A Victoria where our children and people thrive, our workplaces are productive and safe, and our communities are more connected.

We see it as our job to support Victorians to stay healthy and safe. And to deliver a world-class healthcare system that ensures every single Victorian can access safe, quality care that leads to better health outcomes for all.

About you

- Provide advice to Mental Health and Wellbeing Division staff on the lived experience perspectives of families, carers and supporters within the mental health and wellbeing system.
- Ensure contemporary approaches to partnership with people with lived and living experience in all implementation work and strive for consistency in approaches and methodologies.
- Monitor and report on high priority issues, risks and trends and prepare and present reports, ministerial briefs, Cabinet and agency submissions.
- Contribute to a positive and supportive workplace culture, in accordance with department policies and procedures.




- Lead or contribute to the preparation of briefing documents for Ministerial or departmental staff.

Qualifications/Specialist Expertise

- 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.
- This is a designated family, carer, supporter lived experience role which requires declared personal experience of supportin g someone living with mental health challenges or psychological distress.
- This role requires experience (paid or volunteer) in working or leading from a family, carer, supporter lived experience perspective.
- Knowledge and experience in government would be desirable.

What we offer

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

We are committed to developing and supporting a workforce that is well equipped and highly motivated to provide responsive and quality services to all Victorians. We continue to build an inclusive workplace that embraces diversity of backgrounds and differences to realise the potential of our employees for innovation and delivering services aimed at enhancing the lives of all Victorians. All roles can be worked flexibly and we encourage applications from Aboriginal people, people with disability, LGBTIQ+ and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Please contact us if you require any adjustments to participate in the recruitment process .

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

Applications close Wednesday 23 September 2026 at 11.59pm

#J-18808-Ljbffr

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