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Applications for the 2025/26 Lived Experience Peer Cadet Program are open for Victorians studying a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
The Peer Cadet Program is a great start to a rewarding career in the community mental health sector.
The program offers people with lived and living experience part-time employment with a participating community mental health organisation while studying a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work.
The program responds to recommendations by the Royal Commission into Victoria's Mental Health System to increase the number of entry points into the lived and living experience workforce.
The Peer Cadet Program is being coordinated by Mind Australia's Lived Experience Career Compass which is making it easier for people who have experienced mental health challenges to enter and build a career in the lived and living experience workforce in Victoria.
Program overview
Participants undertake two days of paid work placement and one day of paid study leave per week over a 10-month cadetship period.
Peer cadets will develop knowledge, skills, and confidence in lived experience peer work in a structured and supported environment. They will receive consumer or carer lived experience supervision, training, and reflective practice opportunities.
Cadets do not undertake individual client sessions but will take on a secondary or observer role.
Fees
There are no fees to apply or undertake this program. However, general course costs related to Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work, including any background checks, may apply.
Participating organisations
There are 9 participating organisations across metro and regional Victoria:
- Ballarat Community Health - closing 1 June 2025
- cohealth - closing 3 June 2025
- EACH - closing 10 June 2025
- Eating Disorders Victoria - closing 3 June 2025
- ermha365 - closing 26 May 2025 for Geelong and 28 May 2025 for Dandenong South.
- Mind Australia - closing 27 May 2025
- Neami National - closing 3 June 2025
- Uniting Victoria Tasmania
- Wellways Australia - closing 30 May 2025.
Reviewed 16 May 2025
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