Mental Health Advocate - Regional Services
About the Mental Health Advocacy Service (MHAS)
MHAS is an independent service providing advocacy, support, and rights protection for people receiving, or at risk of receiving, involuntary treatment under the Mental Health Act 2014 (the Act), people living in psychiatric hostels, and those with mental impairment identified under the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023 (the CLMI Act) and the Declared Places (Mental Impairment) Act 2015 (the DPAct).
We are currently seeking to engage Mental Health Advocates Geraldton and Kalgoorlie. Training for successful applicants is expected to commence in July 2026.
About the Role
Mental Health Advocates work with persons identified under the Mental Health Act 2014 and the Criminal Law (Mental Impairment) Act 2023, assisting them to understand and exercise their rights, have their views heard, and raise concerns about their treatment, care, and mandatory services.
In this role, you will:
* Amplify the voices of people and promote their rights under the Act.
* Advocate within and across mental health services to support respectful, person‐centred and recovery‐oriented care.
* Build and maintain effective working relationships with clinicians, services, and other stakeholders.
* Work to resolve issues and complaints.
* Conduct investigations into matters relating to the delivery and conditions of mental health services.
* Work with professionalism, persistence, and sensitivity in complex and sometimes challenging situations.
Mental Health Advocates deliver services in hospitals, and mental health clinics, as well as prisons, courts and community correctional settings. Service delivery hours can be flexible and are not limited to standard '9 to 5' work patterns. At times, you may need to be available at short notice during weekdays to respond to advocacy needs.
This is a contract for service role with a preferred minimum availability of 0.6–0.8 FTE (approximately 23–30 hours per week).
Applicants assessed as suitable but not appointed may be placed in a pool for future opportunities.
Suitable applicants will be placed in a pool from which appointments may be made when similar vacancies occur. Appointments may be made from this pool until 26/07/2027.
About You
We would love to hear from you if you:
* Are passionate about social justice, human rights, and dignity for all people.
* Have a genuine interest in advocating for people with mental and cognitive impairment.
* Enjoy working in a range of dynamic and fast paced environments.
* Bring professionalism, resilience, initiative, and a practical, solutions‐focused approach to your work.
What You Will Need
You will be able to demonstrate:
* Knowledge of, and/or experience dealing with mental health issues and contemporary concepts and a strong commitment to human rights.
* High level communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to engage with people from all walks of life.
* High level advocacy, negotiation, and investigative skills in a range of situations.
* Good letter and report writing skills.
* Good organisational and time management skills to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team.
* Strong commitment to ethical practice, integrity and professionalism.
Successful applicants will also be required to obtain:
* ANational Police Clearance;
* A Working with Children Check
What We Offer
* Flexible working arrangements, including opportunities to work from home.
* Comprehensive training on commencement and ongoing practice development.
* Access to an Employee Assistance Program.
* Contracts of Engagement up to three years, with the possibility of extension.
* Supportive, values‐driven teams committed to rights protection and respectful practice.
* The opportunity to make meaningful individual and systemic change within the mental health sector.
MHAS is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We encourage applications from people with lived experience or disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ people, and people from all cultural and linguistic backgrounds.
Further information is available in the:
* Service Delivery Specification
* Terms and Conditions of Engagement of Mental Health Advocates
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