Lived Experience Peer Support Worker

• Fixed term, 18 months, 0.6 EFT | 45.6 hours per fortnight
• Fixed term, 18 months, 0.4 EFT | 30.4 hours per fortnight

• Turning Point Telephone and Online Services (TOLS), Richmond

Eastern Health

Eastern Health is one of Melbourne’s largest public health services. We provide a range of emergency, surgical, medical and general healthcare services and have a proud history of serving a diverse community.

Our Employee Value Proposition is “Being a part of Eastern Health means belonging to a welcoming team of healthcare experts”.

This statement aligns with our promise to our communities, patients, consumers and staff that we will be HEALTHIER TOGETHER. Bolder than a vision for the future, our promise calls us to action. We know that working together is the only way we can achieve what is necessary for a healthier future.

Turning Point

Turning Point was established in 1994 to provide leadership to the alcohol and drug field in Victoria. Turning Point is now a national treatment, research and education centre that provides leadership in the alcohol and drug, gambling and mental health sectors.

Combining research with service innovation, surveillance, system enhancements, education, capacity building and specialist support, Turning Point is a recognised centre of excellence that assists services, communities and governments to respond to current and emerging issues. Turning Point is part of Eastern Health and is affiliated with Monash University. 

About the role

Are you someone who has accessed alcohol and other drug health services? 

Are you passionate about helping people who have a lived experience of alcohol and other drugs having a voice and receiving the best possible supports? 

Are you excited about the thought of joining a growing team of lived experience workers across Turning Point? 

Well, an exciting opportunity now exists for a lived experience peer support worker to take up a role with Turning Points Lived Experience Workforce within our telephone and online services.

The role will be to provide peer support to individuals by contacting Direct line with the purpose of the engagement to build community recovery capital. Utilising a structured 3 session model to support individuals, and within a relationship of mutuality and information sharing, you will provide emotional support to callers to be heard and their experiences validated. 

Furthermore, the role will focus on utilizing your own lived experience of substance use and recovery, as well as experiences with accessing community support groups and the benefits that they provide for connection, understanding, hope and growth.

This role will also require you to facilitate a weekly SMART Recovery group for both callers into the service as well as the broader community.

Finally, the role also provides a range of other opportunities including participation with online forums and supporting research projects.

About you 

To be successful in this role you will possess:

• Lived experience of substance use and recovery and have accessed AOD services
• Understanding of community support groups for people wanting to address their substance use
• Experience working in a lived experience peer support role  
• A strong commitment to high quality care
• The ability to work as part of a diverse team
• Excellent communication and organisational skills

Please refer to the attached position description for further details of the role.

Healthcare workers are strongly recommended to follow COVID vaccination recommendations provided in the Australian Immunisation handbook (based on ATAGI advice). Seasonal vaccination against influenza is a mandatory requirement of this role and an offer is conditional on this being up to date prior to employment.

What we offer

Eastern Health offers a variety of fantastic Employee Benefits, view the extensive range here!

• Mentor and Shadowing program 
• Access to discovery days across our 50 sites 
• Study and professional development leave 
• Friendly & supportive teams
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
• Fitness Passport for work-life balance 
• Employee Assistance program accessible for you and your loved ones 
• Flexible working hours and excellent entitlements 
• Salary packaging options and an employee benefits scheme 
• Access to Private Health Insurance offers 
• Digital upskilling, such as excel and Power-Bi training 
• Cafes at all of our Hospitals 

Next Steps

Apply online if you feel we are a good match, you have the skills and qualities to make a difference and are eligible to work in Australia.

We review all applications when we receive them, and we notify unsuccessful candidates.

If you are shortlisted, we will be in touch to arrange an interview, and you must complete a National Police Check.

Good to know:

• We are an equal opportunity employer and actively promote equality for people of all races, ethnicities, gender identities, sexual orientations, and for people living with disability – within the communities we serve and our Eastern Health team.
• We provide a culturally safe and welcoming environment for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander employees.
• As a child-safe organisation, we ensure child safety and wellbeing is embedded in our everyday culture.
• Vaccination and screening for immunity to vaccine-preventable disease is a mandatory requirement of this role.
• Advertising may end before the closing date.
• We do not accept recruitment agency application

If you are a current Eastern Health employee please ensure you log in with your internal Eastern Health account to apply for this or other roles.

Please click here for the Position Description

Contact Person: Benn Veenker

Contact Number: 0410 499 256

Contact Email: [email protected]

Job Posting End Date: 18/02/2026

Need help submitting your application?

Just contact the Hiring Manager in the advertisement or call the Talent Acquisition Team on (03) 9955 7555 (Option 1) | Medical Workforce Unit on (03) 9895 3469. [TA for Non Medical roles, MWU for Medical roles]

Click Here for the Candidate Guide also for help in our recruitment process!

Our Values in Action:

Respect for all | Safe always | Partnering in care | Learning and improving every day