• Opportunity to provide person-centred mental health intake, assessment and referral, connecting individuals to the most appropriate level of support.
• Full-time (1.0 FTE), permanent (part-time arrangement genuinely considered)
• Remuneration: $102,392.16 + 12% superannuation
• Generous NFP salary packaging options for up to $18,550
• Location - 737 Bourke Street, Docklands Victoria 3008, Close to Southern Cross Train Station, Onsite or Hybrid; WFH (2-3 days)

You will be part of the Referral and Access team at NWMPHN, the intake and Assessment Officer will respond to calls from people seeking mental health support and will process referrals from GPs and other health professionals. You will have in-depth knowledge of mental health services available for people at different levels of acuity. You will have a positive, recovery led and consumer focused approach and will use your strong clinical assessment skills, and the Initial Assessment Referral Decision Support Tool (IAR-DST), to get people to the most appropriate mental health care available.

You will be a great communicator who pays attention to detail, and who can confidently navigate client management systems. You will be required to clearly document all relevant demographic, contextual and risk assessment information, and work collaboratively with both referrers and services that you refer to, to ensure the best outcome for the client.

About Us

We are North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network (NWMPHN) - Victoria's largest independent, locally governed and run, not-for-profit PHN, dedicated to improving primary health care in Melbourne's northern, western suburbs and inner-city areas. We help people stay well by commissioning health services to deliver better and more accessible primary care.

What are PHNs?

PHNs have been established with two key objectives:

• Increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of services for community members, particularly those at risk of poor health outcomes
• Improving coordination of care to ensure people receive the right care in the right place, at the right time.

At NWMPHN, we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements, including work-from-home options.
• Up to 6 days of Paid ‘Life Leave' per calendar year for cultural celebrations, family events, birthdays etc.
• Support for parents with Paid Parental Leave options.
• Additional Paid leave during End-of-Year close down period.
• Generous NFP salary packaging, health and wellbeing programs, and professional development opportunities.
• Supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression.

For more information on Staff benefits, please visit: https://nwmphn.recruitmenthub.com.au/Staff-Benefits/

What will my typical week look like?

• Be the first point of support for people seeking mental health help, responding promptly to calls and using the Initial Assessment and Referral Decision Support Tool to guide safe, informed decisions.
• Participate in case-reviews of people seeking exceptional circumstances for treatment.
• Manage referrals and alerts received via email, ensuring every response is timely, inclusive, and aligned with best practice.
• Proactively identify and escalate risks and issues to the Lead, Mental Health Access and Manager, Mental Health Services to maintain safe service delivery.
• Communicate effectively with the wider team, including clinicians, administrators, and commissioning leads and managers to share learnings about trends, issues, and successes to strengthen service outcomes.

About you:

• Tertiary qualification in a clinical health related field and evidence of registration with the relevant board or eligibility for membership of the relevant professional association.
• Minimum 3 years' clinical mental health experience.
• Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of mental health disorders, with sound knowledge of Mental Health Services and supports available in the North Western Melbourne and Western Victorian catchment and surrounding suburbs.
• Excellent communication skills and extensive experience in mental health assessment and screening, including by phone, paired with precise documentation and clear, high-quality assessment records.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively while also working independently, demonstrating openness, flexibility, and adaptability in a dynamic environment.

NWMPHN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recognise the importance of attracting and retaining talent that reflects the diverse community we live in. Research shows that teams with diverse experiences and perspectives are more creative and better problem-solvers. We strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Peoples.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and lived experiences. If you bring curiosity, adaptability, and the right skills - even if you don't check every box in the responsibilities or qualifications section - we still encourage you to APPLY!

Should you need any specific support or accommodations during the recruitment process or afterwards, please reach out to the HR team at [email protected]

Candidates with valid work rights will be fully considered. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a National Police Check, Working with Children Check and provide AASW and/or AHPRA Certification.

 To apply for this job go to: https://nwmphn.recruitmenthub.com.au/Vacancies and enter reference 6853883 . Applications close 03 February 2026