Peer Worker - Drug Alcohol and Addiction

Job Requisition ID: 7431

Legal Entity: Monash Health

Location:

Dandenong, VIC, AU, 3175

Employment Type: Part Time

Posting Date: 5 Jun 2026

Monash Health exists to reimagine care, so that people can live their best lives.

We provide safe and equitable care, for every stage of life, delivered with world-leading expertise and over 175 years of experience. As a leading academic health service, we're committed to providing tomorrow's care today by integrating research, teaching and training into everyday practice.

Our team of 24,000 people are full hearted, open minded and all in. Together, we provide more than 250 integrated services for every stage of life at over 50 locations and in the community across south-east Melbourne, Victoria, serving 1.2 million residents in the South Metro Local Health Service Network.

To see first-hand what our colleagues think about working here, take a look at the following short videos monashhealth.org/careers.

About the Role

Join our team as a Consumer, Peer Worker on a part time (0.4 EFT) ongoing basis. The successful application will have Lived, or Living, Drug and Alcohol experience. This position is to work within the Needle & Syringe Program (NSP), based in Dandenong and also outreach.

The Peer Worker role provides both onsite and outreach services within a harm reduction framework to individuals and groups experiencing addictive behaviours. Drawing on lived or living experience with alcohol and other drug (AOD) use, the role focuses on improving health, wellbeing, and inclusion through support, education, brief interventions, and connection to treatment and referral services.

Key Responsibilities will include:

Provide basic health interventions, education, sterile injecting equipment, and harm minimisation information (e.g. vein/wound care, BBV, STIs).
Deliver one-on-one peer support using lived experience to build trust, inspire hope, and promote recovery.
Co-facilitate consumer peer recovery groups and provide psychoeducation.
Support clients in navigating the AOD system and accessing relevant services.
Promote safer use and disposal of injecting equipment and ensure NSP outreach vehicles and sites are well-stocked.
Accurately record client data using the Department of Health NSP Portal.

Team & Program Contributions:

Participate in program development and continuous improvement from a consumer perspective.
Collaborate with service staff and stakeholders; engage in reflective supervision and peer workforce development.
Contribute to community engagement efforts that reduce stigma and promote community safety.

This is a meaningful opportunity to support others through your own lived experience and be part of a team dedicated to compassionate, non-judgemental care.

About Us

The Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) provides a free and integrated service for people who inject drugs. The NSP service is committed to providing a confidential, non-judgemental and accessible service. No referral required. It operates on a drop-in basis. The NSP Outreach service provides sterile injecting and other equipment across the Cities of Greater Dandenong, Casey and Frankston.

About You

We’re looking for someone who can connect with people in a warm, respectful, and non-judgemental way. You’ll use a strength-based, motivational approach to support individuals through harm reduction strategies, brief interventions, education, and by helping them build community connections and access useful information.

Qualifications/registrations/licences (italics indicate desirable):

Lived experience of problematic substance use and mental illness
Tertiary qualification relevant discipline (e.g. alcohol and other drugs, community development, social work)
Completion of Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training (or willingness to complete)
Completion of Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or similar qualifications (or willingness to complete)
AOD Certificate IV or higher, with minimum two years relevant work experience
Current Victorian Driver’s License

Technical skills/knowledge/experience:

Lived Experience, knowledge, skills and experience
Consumer who has lived and/or living experience of mental health challenges and ongoing recovery/stabilisation/management and have experience as a mental health service user
Applicants must consider themselves to be work ready and capable of reflecting on how their own lived experience interacts with that of others
Applicants must consider themselves to be within a reasonable foundation of wellness
Monash Health acknowledges that recovery can look different for everyone, for some it is linear and for others, ongoing
Ability to use own experience to inspire hope and belief in recovery

In Return

As a valued member of the Monash Health team, you’ll have access to a wide range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, development, and career progression, including:

Salary packaging – increase your take-home pay with generous salary packaging options.
Professional development – access to ongoing training, education, and leadership opportunities to support your career growth.
Supportive team environment – work within a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that values innovation, compassion, and excellence.
Employee wellbeing – benefit from a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program (EAP), staff wellbeing initiatives, and a strong focus on work-life balance.
Career mobility – opportunities to work across Victoria’s largest public health service with a wide range of roles and career pathways.
Diverse and inclusive workplace – join an organisation that celebrates and embraces diversity and fosters a culture of respect and belonging.

At Monash Health, you’ll be making a difference in the lives of individuals and communities while advancing your career in a leading healthcare organisation.

For a confidential discussion and to explore this opportunity further, please reach out to Christopher Cornish-Riley, Team Leader - Drug Alcohol and Addiction, on 03 9792 7630.

Position Description can be found here.

Our Culture and Values

At Monash Health, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Our culture is inclusive, supportive and future-focused, underpinned by clear values and a commitment to continuous improvement. Our teams play a critical role in bringing our new strategy to life, challenging traditional approaches, embracing innovation, and ensuring every appointment reflects our commitment to equity, transparency and excellence.

You’ll be encouraged to share ideas, contribute to improvement initiatives, and grow alongside experienced professionals who are passionate about what they do. We are Full Hearted, Open Minded and All In, enabling excellent service delivery and a positive candidate and employee experience every time.

We recognise the value of equal employment opportunity. We are committed to patient safety, promoting fairness, equity and diversity in the workplace and to Child Safe Standards.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted via the Monash Health online EHub system. For information including how to apply and probity check requirements, please click here for the ‘Application Guide’. Applications will be screened upon receipt and selection activity may commence prior to the closing date.

Applications close: 21 June 2026