Senior Mental Health Clinician – headspace Kununurra

Senior Mental Health Professional – headspace Kununurra

Salary range: $132,000 – $145,000 per annum + super

About Us

headspace is Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation, providing early intervention mental health services to 12- to 25-year-olds. headspace has over 150 centres nationwide and has a ‘no wrong door’ approach for those seeking assistance. headspace Kununurra, located on Miriwoong Country, is a place where young people can access free and confidential support for mental health and welling, alcohol and other drugs use, GP services and vocational and study supports.

Wunan Health is a comprehensive, primary health care service owned by Wunan Foundation, an Aboriginal led, social enterprise. Wunan Health is the lead agency of headspace Kununurra.

About the Role:

• Provide mental health assessment, formulation and evidence-based treatment to young people aged 12 to 25, including within their family and community environment.
• Hold a caseload weighted toward complex, high-risk and difficult-to-engage presentations, including co-occurring alcohol and other drug use, trauma, and significant risk of harm.
• Undertake advanced risk assessment, AOD screening and safety planning, and lead the clinical response where risk escalates.
• Provide secondary consultation to other clinicians on complex presentations and act as an escalation point for clinical concerns.
• Ensure young people are involved in their own care decisions and work in collaboration with young people in all aspects of service delivery.
• Deliver individual and group interventions across a range of settings including the centre, schools, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services, outreach clinics and hospitals.
• Work in conjunction with other services supporting young people through team-based care, complementary clinical care and care coordination.
• Clinical documentation: Demonstrate exemplarily note taking and objective documentation for clinical case notes.
• Liaising with external stakeholders: Communicate with external agencies in a clear and concise manner, whilst operating under ethical and legal requirements (i.e. privacy and confidentiality).
• Service Development: Contributing to the development of innovative, evidence-based and culturally safe clinical services.
• Clinical Governance: Supporting the Centre Manager and Clinical Lead with implementing, monitoring, and reviewing clinical governance frameworks to maintain service quality and safety.
• Community Engagement: Collaborating with local communities and stakeholders to enhance service delivery and address community needs. Participating in community engagement events, both run by headspace and external agencies, to further strengthen headspace Kununurra’s commitment to the community and its needs.  

Job Requirements (Essential):

• Degree level qualification in psychology, social work, occupational therapy, mental health nursing, or a related allied health or behavioural science discipline.
• Current full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), or current full membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Provisional registration is not sufficient for this position.
• Eligibility to provide clinical supervision under the requirements of the relevant professional body, or willingness to obtain supervisor endorsement within 12 months of commencement.
• A minimum of 5 years post-qualification clinical experience in mental health, including substantial experience working with young people.
• Demonstrated capability in assessing and managing complex and high-risk presentations, including co-occurring alcohol and other drug use and significant risk of harm.
• Demonstrated experience providing clinical supervision, mentoring or structured clinical guidance to other practitioners.
• Demonstrated ability to work respectfully and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, families and communities, and to adapt clinical practice to cultural context.
• A broad understanding of the challenges and experiences of young people in Australia, including specific community factors relevant to remote settings.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate clinical information clearly to non-clinical colleagues, families and partner services.
• Demonstrated ability to contribute to clinical governance, quality improvement and accreditation processes.
• Ability to prioritise and manage multiple and competing work tasks and deliver to agreed deadlines.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as a productive team member, and to exercise sound judgement without close supervision.
• Current WWCC and Police Clearance
• A demonstrated commitment to the core mission of Wunan Foundation.

 Job Requirements (Desirable):

• A strong understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in general, and of Aboriginal people and communities in the East Kimberley in particular.
• Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander identity.
• Formal supervisor training and current supervisor endorsement with AHPRA or AASW.
• Experience working within a headspace centre or the headspace model of care.
• Experience delivering services in a remote or very remote setting.
• Training in trauma-informed practice, and in therapeutic modalities relevant to youth mental health such as CBT, ACT, DBT-informed practice or family-based approaches.
• Experience in service development, accreditation or clinical audit.
• Experience working within an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation.
• Mental Health First Aid or equivalent, and suicide prevention training such as ASIST.

Wunan is a proudly Aboriginal-led organisation. We recognise the importance of Aboriginal leadership, local knowledge, and cultural expertise in driving local solutions and positive change. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or those with a strong connection to community, are strongly encouraged to apply — this is a highly desirable criterion for the role.

Why Join Us:

• Career Progression: At Wunan Health and within Wunan Foundation, we prioritise your growth. This role is not just a job it’s a gateway to a fulfilling career. With our commitment to Continuous Quality Improvement, you’ll have the chance to develop and expand your skill set as our services continue to expand.
• Clinical Leadership: You will work under the guidance of a headspace Kununurra Clinical Lead, and Wunan Health’s Clinical Director. Our Clinical Director is not only a mentor but also a local Aboriginal woman with lived experience, deeply passionate about working with young people and supporting the community.
• Aboriginal Owned and Operated: Join one of the fastest-growing and expanding Aboriginal-owned and operated organisations in the East Kimberley. Your work here is a direct contribution to the betterment of our community.
• Live in the Kimberley: Immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of the Kimberley region. Experience a unique way of life while making a meaningful impact.

Benefits:

• Attractive remuneration (above award) plus 12% superannuation
• Flexible working arrangements
• Relocation assistance available $3,000 to $5,000
• Accommodation support and / or $221 per week rent subsidy
• NFP salary packaging p to $15,900 general plus $2,650 meal and entertainment
• 4 weeks annual leave plus additional 1 week leave over Xmas
• Professional development leave (5 days) and training opportunities
• Clinical and/or cultural supervision
• Confidential, external Employee Assistance Program (EAP) 
• Modern, youth-friendly purpose-built facilities 

For more information contact: Shainaye Cahill, headspace Kununurra Centre Manager via shainaye.cahill@wunanhealth.org.au.

How to Apply:

Please apply directly via SEEK by submitting your CV and a cover letter addressing the selection criteria including at least two referees (ideally including most recent direct line manager).

All applicants must have full working rights in Australia.  

We reserve the right to fill the position prior to the closing date. Early applications are encouraged (no agency or third-party applications please). 

Application close: COB 30 September 2026