Make a lasting difference in young lives through specialist occupational therapy, empowering children, young people and families to thrive.

Remuneration: $121,568 - $125,507 Per Annum + 12% Super + Salary Packaging

Employment Type: Temporary Full Time until November 2027

Position Classification: Occupational Therapist Level 3

Hours Per Week: 38

Location: Lake Macquarie Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service | 1A Dudley Road, Charlestown NSW 2290

Requisition ID: REQ704069

Applications Close: Monday 23rd November 2026

? About the Role

As an Occupational Therapist with Lake Macquarie CAMHS, you’ll play an integral role in delivering specialised, evidence-based mental health care to children and young people, providing comprehensive assessment, therapeutic intervention and care coordination in partnership with their families and carers.

Drawing on your discipline-specific expertise, you’ll actively contribute to multidisciplinary care planning and clinical discussions, collaborating with a diverse team of Aboriginal Mental Health Clinicians, Psychiatrists, Occupational Therapists, Psychologists, Nurses, Dietitians and Speech Pathologists to achieve meaningful outcomes for young people.

HNELHD CAMHS delivers specialised child and adolescent mental health services, incorporating comprehensive clinical and family-based assessments alongside individual, dyadic and family therapy interventions. You’ll have access to a broad range of clinical expertise, specialist interventions and collaborative support to help address complex presentations and deliver responsive, holistic care.

You’ll be joining a welcoming and professionally supportive environment, with direct line management and guidance from the Greater Newcastle CAMHS Team Leader, alongside the expertise of experienced clinicians across the multidisciplinary team. As a valued member of the HNELHD CAMHS Occupational Therapy network, you’ll also benefit from regular clinical supervision, ongoing education and dedicated professional development opportunities to strengthen your clinical practice, expand your capabilities and support your continued growth.

? Where You’ll Be Working An exciting opportunity awaits an experienced Occupational Therapist to bring their clinical expertise and passion for supporting young people to the Lake Macquarie Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS), part of Greater Newcastle CAMHS.

Based at 1A Dudley Road, Charlestown, you’ll work across the Greater Newcastle area as required, delivering specialised occupational therapy services that make a meaningful difference in the lives of children, young people and their families.

CAMHS provides comprehensive assessment and therapeutic interventions for children and young people aged 0–17 years experiencing severe and complex mental health challenges that impact their wellbeing, development and everyday functioning. Working in partnership with families and carers, you’ll contribute to tailored, recovery-focused care that recognises each young person’s individual strengths, needs and potential.

You’ll be part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team where professional expertise is valued, knowledge is shared and ongoing learning is encouraged, all within a supportive environment committed to delivering high-quality, family-centred care.

What we can offer you:

At Hunter New England Health, enjoy a career where you're challenged by interesting work and surrounded by spectacular locations. You'll contribute to the team enriching health in millions of ways every day. On top of this we also offer:

Supportive and collaborative team workplace





Ongoing professional development opportunities across the administrative network

Career progression opportunities within NSW Health

Annual leave and paid parental leave for eligible employees

Salary packaging options to increase take-home pay

Fitness Passport and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support wellbeing

Essential Requirements:

- Must hold a qualification in Occupational Therapist with which provides eligibility in association general registration through the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency or relevant post-registration qualifications and at least 3 years' experience working in the clinical area of their specified post-graduate qualification, or such other qualifications or equivalent experience deemed appropriate by the service.
- Eligibility to drive in NSW and interstate and the willingness to travel in the course of employment.

If this sounds like you, we would love you to apply:

? Compassionate and empathetic: You bring emotional intelligence, sensitivity and a genuine passion for improving the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and their families.

? Client-centred and trauma-informed: You champion family-focused, holistic care that recognises individual needs, strengths and experiences.

? Relationship-focused: You have exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust, establish rapport and engage meaningfully with children, young people and their families/carers.

? Clinically confident: You demonstrate well-developed clinical reasoning, sound professional judgement and the ability to deliver evidence-based assessments and therapeutic interventions.

? Collaborative and inclusive: You thrive in multidisciplinary environments, confidently contributing your occupational therapy expertise while working in partnership with a diverse range of health professionals.

✨ Adaptable and proactive: You demonstrate initiative, flexibility and the ability to manage competing priorities while working autonomously and contributing positively to a team.

? Committed to growth: You value reflective practice, ongoing career development and continuous improvement, with a genuine commitment to strengthening your clinical knowledge and capabilities.

Your experience and expertise:

Demonstrated clinical experience within mental health is essential, with experience in child and adolescent mental health and family-based therapeutic interventions highly regarded. A willingness to further develop your specialist knowledge and clinical expertise within the CAMHS model of care will be supported through clinical supervision, professional guidance and ongoing learning opportunities.

Bring your dedication, professionalism, and heart for healthcare to our team - we can’t wait to hear from you!

Additional information:

- An eligibility list will be created for future temporary full or part time vacancies.
- This position is full time; however, part time/job share arrangements may also be considered.
- Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care.



All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.
- At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact [email protected] for confidential support.
- To be eligible for employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport, or hold an appropriate visa that allows you to live and work in Australia. Employment of a temporary visa holder will only be offered in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.
- We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.

How to apply:

Click apply online, submit your information and resume, and address the criteria listed below providing examples that demonstrate your ability.

- Demonstrated experience working as an OT with Children, Adolescents and their families who present with multifaceted needs including knowledge of child protection processes.
- Experience using a variety of psychotherapeutic evidence based interventions (individual and group) with children, adolescents and families including the application of a trauma informed approach to care.
- Demonstrated high-level verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt communication style to suit children/young people and their parents/guardians and families.

Need more information?

- Click here for the Position Description
- Find out more about applying for this position

For role related queries or questions contact Esther Michaels on [email protected]

Information for Applicants:

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below). For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2

Stepping Up Website is a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance with NSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseases for Category A positions prior to offer. All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.

Salary Packaging: is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via [email protected] or 1300 40 25 23.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range of benefits such as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

Connect with us on Facebook and LinkedIn!

📌 Mental Health Clinician - Occupational Therapist - CAMHS (Australia)
🏢 NSW Health
📍 Australia