Mind Australia congratulates the graduates of the 2025/2026 Peer Cadet Program, who are now ready to begin their careers in mental health after successfully completing their 10-month cadetship.
The latest Peer Cadet Program graduates were celebrated at the program's official graduation in Melbourne on Wednesday 27 May. Each year, the Peer Cadet Program provides paid work experience and study opportunities in part-time lived experience positions at non-government community health service providers throughout Victoria.
These cadetships provide a valuable opportunity for students to develop knowledge, skills and confidence in a supportive, real-world setting. This year, Mind's Peer Cadet Program graduates applied their studies in practice across a range of Mind services, including the Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals in Bendigo and Melton, the Bendigo Prevention and Recovery Care (PARC) service and Mind's LGBTIQA+ Aftercare service.
Established by the Victorian Government, the Peer Cadet Program is coordinated by Mind's Lived Experience Career Compass, which is making it easier for people with a lived and living experience of mental health challenges or distress to enter and build a career in the lived and living experience workforce in Victoria.
Lisa Williams, Lived Experience Career Compass Lead, said the Peer Cadet Program has helped approximately 100 people start their careers in mental health.
"Over the past four years, we've seen the Peer Cadet Program become a key pathway for people with lived and living experience of mental health challenges or distress to join Victoria's peer workforce," Ms Williams said.
"We've seen many graduates progress to permanent employment with host organisations and across the mental health sector. The Peer Cadet Program is not only opening doors for people with a lived experience to begin their careers, but also providing the training, hands-on experience and support required to move into the workforce with confidence."
"Congratulations to all the graduates from this year's Peer Cadet Program – I look forward to watching your careers blossom over the coming years."
This year's Peer Cadet Program included 32 placements across host organisations including Mind, Neami National, Each, Uniting Victoria Tasmania, cohealth, Wellways, Ballarat Community Health, Eating Disorders Victoria and ermha365.
Mind congratulates its Peer Cadet Program graduates Catriona Hutchison, Shelby Lim, Nicole Tandy and Louie Wynd.
For more information visit Peer Cadet Program or email [email protected]