2024-2025 Mental Health Peer Cadet Program

What is the Peer Cadet Program?

The Mental Health Peer Cadet program is an opportunity for people with lived or living experience, undertaking the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, to enter paid part-time employment at a participating Victorian community mental health service.

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 Peer Cadet Program entail?

Participants will 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. Throughout their employment, cadets will receive consumer or carer lived experience supervision, training, and reflective practice opportunities.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must:

1. Be currently undertaking the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work or enrolled to begin the course at the start of the cadetship period, and
2. Meet the selection criteria defined by recruiting organisations.

Key dates

Applications open on 3 June 2024 and close on 24 June 2024. Further information can be found on the Department of Health website.