Are you enrolled or wanting to study the Certificate IV Mental Health Peer Work?
Are you self-reflective, curious, and willing to learn?
What is the Lived Experience Peer Cadet Program?
The Lived Experience Peer Cadet Program is an employment opportunity for people with lived/living experience undertaking the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work, to enter paid employment across participating Victorian non-government community mental health services.
The program was created in response to the Royal Commission’s recommendation to increase the number of entry points into the lived and living experience workforce (LLEW) and provide a supportive and structured learning environment.
What does the program involve?
Peer Cadets are employed three days per week (one of which is a paid study day), paid part-time over a 10 month program. During this time they will develop knowledge, skills, and confidence in a structured and supported environment.
Throughout their employment, cadets will receive supervision and training that is discipline specific. Opportunities for learning include (but are not limited to): shadowing telehealth, outreach, one-to-one support, attending group programs, team meetings, internal core training, reflective practice (peer and non-peer), Community of Practice, and supervision.
2025 – 2026 Peer Cadet Program update
Applications and online information sessions for the 2025-26 program open on Monday 12 May at 9.30 am and Monday 12 May at 2.30 pm.
FAQs
Read our Peer Cadet Program FAQs (PDF 169 KB) to find out more.
For more information
Lived Experience Career Compass – MIND Australia
Email LECC@mindaustralia.org.au
Email careers@ermha.org
Peer Cadet’s ‘life-changing’ opportunity
Five years ago, my life looked a lot different to what it does today. I was unemployable and homeless.
I had addiction issues and suffered from mental illness. I set out to make changes in my life. The struggle was ongoing. Easier some days, but mostly hard. The real break came when I applied for the Lived Experience Peer Cadet program… and was successful!
This was nothing short of amazing. This was an opportunity to use what I had learnt though my darkest days, when I felt the most alone. The CPS team at ermha365 helped me learn and grow though my time as a Peer Cadet and this life changing role has transitioned into a full-time position at ermha365. It all makes sense now. I was meant to survive so I could have this job, allowing me to offer hope to others!
Lived Experience Peer Cadet participant