Join Northern Sydney Local Health District as an Aboriginal Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Trainee, where you can begin or continue your learning journey in a supportive and culturally respectful environment. Gain valuable hands-on experience, develop your skills and work towards a rewarding career and supporting the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

Employment Type: Permanent Full Time
Position Classification: Aboriginal Health Worker
Remuneration: $1,300.23 - $1,879.42 per week
Hours Per Week: 38
Requisition ID: REQ707546

Who we are: We are a health service that touches thousands of lives across the Northern Sydney Local Health District, together as a team of like-minded people. We are passionate, driven and have the skills and knowledge to care for our patients whilst creating the best services possible. Our teams have meaningful, interesting and rewarding work everyday. We challenge and nurture each other, sharing our knowledge and experience so that we can deliver better care for everyone. There’s a real sense of belonging here because we value and respect our patients, employees, and teams’ voices. You’ll feel a real privilege being a trusted caregiver in our patients, their families, their carers, and our communities’ lives.

NSLHD is proud of our diverse and inclusive workplaces, a place where health care professionals can thrive and feel they belong. We are committed to ensure that all our people feel respected and participate safely within a work environment without aggression, sexual harassment, discrimination and racism.

Where you'll be working
Northern Sydney Local Health District.

What you'll be doing
This position aims to improve the health of Aboriginal people in NSW by enhancing access to and ensuring mental
health and drug and alcohol services are culturally sensitive and responsive. The training program was established to
build a highly skilled and professional Aboriginal MHDA workforce and provide opportunities to undertake learning in




arrange of MHDA services that included being paid while you study and train towards a degree in the field of MHDA.
The trainee is required to:

- Undertake and successfully complete, the Bachelor or Health Science (Mental Health) course at Charles Sturt University (3 year degree study period).
- Under supervision and as part of a multidisciplinary team, provide appropriate health care to consumers referred to the MHDA
- Promote the mental health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and wider communities and where possible, work in a holistic way to prevent the development of mental health problems and substance use problems

Opportunities will exist to undertake placements in a range of MHDA services. One day study time per week will be allocated during work hours to assist in the completion of university course requirements. The ability to travel for training up to 3 7-day University study blocks at CSU Wagga Wagga Campus or other Campus as identified by CSU, is a requirement of the position. Financial assistance to attend study blocks and accommodation is provided by CSU. As the position includes 'on the job learning', a senior clinician will be allocated to the Trainee at each placement to provide on-site support and assistance. The Trainee will be supported by the Manager for Aboriginal & Torres Strat Islander services, MHDA. The day to day operational management of the position is provided by the Team Leader onsite. One trainee position will be located at Hornsby Hospital within the Hornsby D&A; Community Programs Team, the other will be based at RNSH within the LNS Counselling Team.

People of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander background are encouraged to apply.




Candidates will need to meet the following criteria:

1. Must be Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent (N.B. an applicants race is a genuine occupational qualification and is authorised under section 14 of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977, NSW).
2. Willingness and commitment to undertake and demonstrate progression in the completion of the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) course currently located at Charles Sturt University Wagga Wagga Campus. This includes being able to demonstrate the oral and written communication skills to a standard sufficient to undertake a university degree. NOTE: Applicants who are currently enrolled and/or who have partially completed the Bachelor of Health Science (Mental Health) are also invited to apply for the position.
3. Willingness and commitment to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team (including nursing, social work, medical, psychology and occupational therapist staff) and deliver services to the whole community.
4. Ability to travel for training and to attend Charles Sturt University residential teaching blocks and placements.

Need more information?
1) Click here for the Position Description
2) Find out more about applying for this position
For role related queries or questions contact Marlene Gilbert on ••••@health.nsw.gov.au or 04•• ••• 515

This is a NSW Health Category A position which requires immunisation and screening for certain diseases. The full list of requirements are outlined in the NSW Health OASV Policy (Page 11). You will be required to complete the OASV Undertaking/ Declaration Form and TB Assessment Tool during the recruitment process. Please upload this with your application along with any other vaccination evidence that you may have.

NSW Health is committed to implementing the Child Protected Standards.

The team enriching health in millions of ways every day.

Applications Close: 25 November 2026
Tentative Interview Date: Week Commencing 11 January 2027

📌 Aboriginal Mental Health and Drug and Alcohol Trainee (St Leonards)
🏢 Northern Sydney Local Health District
📍 St Leonards