Introduction

ACON is Australia’s largest health promotion organisation specialising in community health, inclusion, and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders. Established in 1985, ACON works to create opportunities for people in our communities to live their healthiest lives.

We are grounded in the belief that diversity is our strength, our differentiator, and at the core of who we are and what we do. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we encourage applications from people living with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTQ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, migrant and refugee backgrounds, and LGBTQ people of colour.

Description

Do you want to leap into a career that empowers you to use your lived and living experiences to support and promote the health and wellbeing of trans and gender diverse community members? If this sparks your interest- keep reading!

- We are excited for someone to join our mental health peer work team and play a vital role in the delivery of our Statewide Trans Mental Health & Wellbeing Service.
- This isn’t just another job; it’s a chance for you to have a meaningful and lasting impact on the health and wellbeing of your communities.
- Part Time (42 hours/fortnight) in our Gadigal (Surry Hills) office.

What’s Peer and Client Services you say?

You'll be a part of the Peer and Client Services team, which provides services to:

- people living with (PLHIV)
- affected by or at risk of HIV
- LGBTQ+ people

Who are living in NSW and are 18+, who are wanting support with their use of substances, mental health or are experiencing SDFV concerns:

- Our counselling provides a protected space to explore mental health, relationships, identity, sexuality, and life challenges, with a strong understanding of the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ communities. Support is trauma-informed, focused on empowering individuals to navigate change, build resilience, and strengthen wellbeing.
- Our care coordination service is practical, down-to-earth support focused on what matters most. We help individuals find a way through services and get the support that’s right.
- Peer work is a form of support provided with people drawing on their own lived experiences. Peer workers walk alongside you, offering understanding, hope and connection through shared experiences.

Peer and Client Services provide support across the state of NSW either face to face from our three offices (Sydney, Lismore and Newcastle) or via virtual care to support our communities to live their healthiest lives.

Ok, so what’s the role?

The Peer Worker (Trans Mental Health & Wellbeing) is essentially using the discipline of lived/living experience and peer work expertise to provide peer navigation, peer support, mentoring and advocacy to trans and gender diverse community members or community members questioning their gender. This role is a part of a multidisciplinary team consisting of lived/living experience and non-lived experience roles responding to the needs of trans and gender diverse community members or community members questioning their gender, however peer support may be delivered as a standalone support service depending on the preferences of individual community members.

You will

- Provide peer navigation, peer support, mentoring and advocacy to trans and gender diverse people, including people who are questioning their gender, through the purposeful and intentional use of lived and living experience.




- Build authentic peer relationships that foster connection, self-determination and empowerment, supporting people to identify and work towards their own goals and priorities.
- Recognise and respond appropriately to distress aligned to peer work principles, including seeking support and facilitating access to additional services when required.
- Support people to navigate gender affirmation journeys, access information, services and resources, and strengthen their confidence in making informed decisions about their lives and wellbeing.
- Facilitate shared learning, self-advocacy and self-management by drawing on lived experience, mutuality and peer work principles.
- Work collaboratively with Peer & Client Services staff and other ACON teams to support holistic and coordinated responses to client needs.
- Maintain timely client records by documenting work with clients in ACON’s electronic client record management system in accordance with organisational policies and privacy requirements.
- Collect client and service data, including outcome and experience measures, to support service delivery, evaluation and reporting requirements.
- Contribute to service development, reflective practice, supervision, team activities and ongoing professional development to strengthen peer practice and service quality.

Who are we looking for?

- Someone with significant lived/living experience of navigating gender affirmation, mental health distress and recovery who is eager to use this experience to support trans and gender diverse people or people questioning their gender.
- Someone who is compassionate and passionate about human rights and social justice.
- Someone who is knowledgeable of or curious to learn about the history of the peer/consumer movement.
- Someone who understands the broad range of social and systemic factors that impact the mental health & wellbeing of trans and gender diverse people and people living with HIV.
- Someone with the ability to integrate peer values and principles in their written and verbal communication.
- Someone with a strong commitment and understanding of ACON’s communities, particularly people with HIV.
- Someone with the ability to meaningfully connect with people from diverse backgrounds and possess the skills and commitment to provide a culturally humble space.
- Someone with a balance of initiative and collaboration, who can work independently and as a part of a cohesive and supportive team

What else can we tell you?​​​

- Salary: Starting from SCHADS 4.1 $88,192.08 FTE ($52,915 for 3 days a week) (Gross Annual Salary PLUS Superannuation and Leave Loading).
- Location: ACON’s Gadigal (Surry Hills) office, with flexible working options a possibility (away from the office).
- Hours: Part Time (42 Hours per fortnight) on a 1 year fixed term contract with the possibility of extension.
- Not-For-Profit Salary Packaging: Currently up to $35,000 gross up value, enabling you to keep more of your salary, and pay less tax ($15,900 Expenses + $2,650 Meals, tax free).
- Flexibility and Wellbeing: Working from home arrangements available from the first day,



free comprehensive counselling services through our Employee Assistance Program and dedicated quiet spaces across office locations.
- Generous Leave Entitlements: Including an additional 5 days at the end of the year for our shutdown period, additional Personal/Carer’s Leave days above NES.
- Community Leave Entitlements: First Nations Cultural and Ceremonial Leave, Gender Affirmation Leave, Paid Parental Leave (both caregivers 14 weeks), Public Holiday Swap … and more!
- Career Growth: Tailored learning and development planning, annual learning allowance and education scholarships to encourage continuous learning, and paid education leave.
- Flare Benefits: Enjoy exclusive employee perks, including discounts from leading retailers, wellbeing providers and financial institutions

How can I find out more details and apply?

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join our team and help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. By joining us, you will be part of a mission to create a healthier and more inclusive community.

We’d love someone who has experience already in this area but people at all levels of experience are absolutely welcome to apply. We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from CALD backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of all genders to apply.

For more information on the role, please contact Chloe Hawthorne, Peer and Client Services, at [email protected]

If you are ready to apply, please apply via the 'Apply' function at the end of this page.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Skills And Experiences

Essential

1. Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (or equivalent) or demonstrated knowledge and application of contemporary peer work competencies, including the purposeful use of lived experience, self-determination, mutuality, advocacy and trauma-informed peer support.
2. Ability to reflect thoughtfully on your experiences of being a trans or gender diverse and use these learnings to support peer relationships with other trans and gender diverse people.
3. Personal lived and living experience of psychological distress, mental ill health and/or suicidal crisis, and the ability to use what you have learned from these experiences intentionally, safely and appropriately to support the wellbeing and recovery of others.
4. Demonstrated experience in a peer support, community support, consumer advocacy or related role
5. Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to trauma-informed, recovery-oriented and person-led approaches to supporting wellbeing.
6. Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, including managing competing priorities, maintaining appropriate boundaries, and contributing positively to a multidisciplinary team environment.
7. Well-developed verbal and written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records and use Microsoft Office and client information systems.
8. Strong understanding of and commitment to working with ACON’s communities, including all LGBTQ+ people and people living with and affected by HIV.

Desirable:

1. Intentional Peer Support (IPS) Core Training, Emotional CPR or Open Dialogue.
2. Experience working collaboratively with allied health professionals.
3. Knowledge of mental health, gender-affirming health care and community support services available across NSW.
4. Experience facilitating peer groups, community groups or peer learning activities.

📌 Peer Worker - Trans Mental Health and Wellbeing Sydney
🏢 ACON
📍 Sydney