Help build the future of youth mental health - providing specialist, culturally safe care where young people need it most.
Remuneration: $113,617 - $138,482 per annum (dependent on qualifications) + superannuation + salary packaging
Location: Taree | Biripi Country
Employment Type: Temporary Full Time – Until June 2027
Position Classification: Clinical Nurse Specialist Grade 2, Clinical Psychologist, Counsellor Level 3, Occupational Therapist Level 3, Social Worker Level 3
Requisition ID: REQ669261
Applications Close: Monday 13th July 2026
This is a position identified for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people on the basis of a genuine occupational qualification under section 14(d) of the Anti-Discrimination Act 1977. Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicants must demonstrate Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status in addition to addressing the selection criteria.
About the Role
Are you passionate about improving mental health outcomes for young people and interested in helping establish an innovative new service? The Youth Mental Health (YMH) Initiative offers a unique opportunity to be part of a new model of care designed to improve access to specialist mental health support for young people aged 12–25 years who are accessing headspace services and experiencing severe and complex mental health needs. As one of the first clinicians appointed to this initiative, you will play a key role in shaping the service and strengthening pathways between headspace and specialist mental health services across Hunter New England.
In this role, you will provide comprehensive mental health assessment, therapeutic intervention, care planning, and recovery-focused support to young people with severe and complex mental health concerns, as well as their families, carers, and support networks.
Working within a multidisciplinary team, you will collaborate closely with young people, families, community stakeholders, primary care providers, and the Primary Health Network to deliver coordinated and integrated care. Partnering directly with headspace services, you will support young people through direct clinical care while also providing consultation, guidance, and specialist expertise to headspace staff to enhance service delivery and mental health pathways. A unique feature of this role is the opportunity to be based within headspace centres while remaining connected to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) network. This provides access to strong clinical governance, supervision, professional development opportunities, and specialist mental health expertise while contributing to an innovative, youth-focused service model.
Central to the role is a commitment to delivering culturally safe, trauma-informed, and person-centred care. You will help create welcoming and inclusive environments where young people and families from diverse backgrounds feel respected, supported, and empowered throughout their mental health journey.
About You
You are an experienced and compassionate mental health professional with a strong interest in supporting young people experiencing severe and complex mental health concerns. You have experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, and their families in mental health, community, or primary care settings and understand the importance of collaborative, recovery-oriented practice.
You are committed to delivering culturally safe care, building strong partnerships, and improving access to quality mental health services for young people. You are also motivated by opportunities to contribute to service development and help shape innovative models of care that make a lasting difference in the community.
Why Join Us?
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.
