People in Victoria studying a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work will soon be able to apply for cadetships to gain valuable work experience and kick-start their careers.
The Peer Cadet Program provides paid work experience opportunities in part-time lived and living experience positions at non-government community health service providers throughout Victoria.
Peer cadets work two days a week in a paid placement and have one paid day of study leave, over a 10-month cadetship. During this time, cadets build their knowledge, skills and confidence in lived experience work. They also receive training, discipline-specific supervision, support through cross-organisational communities of practice, and reflective practice in a supportive environment as part of their placement.
Sue Anne Toh completed the Peer Cadet Program in 2024 and now works at the Mind-managed headspace centre in Greensborough. Sue Anne says she loved her placement at Mind’s youth services, and it played a vital role in starting her career in mental health.
“During my cadetship, I gained hands-on experience, built confidence and felt well supported by the team. A key highlight was feeling that my lived experience was valued, which helped shape my career direction,” she said.
“The cadetship led to a permanent role at Mind and gave me a strong foundation for my ongoing work in mental health.”
Applications for this year’s Peer Cadet Program will open in late April 2026. The first step in applying for the 2026/2027 intake of the Peer Cadet Program is to attend an online information session on Wednesday 22 April 2026. If you were unable to attend the information session a recording can be viewed here.
The Peer Cadet Program was established by the Victorian Government. It is coordinated by the 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.
To be eligible for the Peer Cadet Program, you must:
- be currently studying a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, or be enrolled to begin the course at the commencement of the cadetship period, and
- meet the selection criteria defined by Peer Cadet Program host organisations.
Peer Cadet Program host organisations include Mind Australia, Neami National, Each, Uniting Victoria Tasmania, cohealth, Wellways, Ballarat Community Health, Eating Disorders Victoria and ermha365.
For more information visit the Peer Cadet Program page on the Mind website, or email [email protected]
Pictured are Mind graduates from the 2024/2025 Peer Cadet Program.