2026 Mental Health OT Graduate Opportunity
Employment Type - Temporary Part Time
Hours per fortnight - 64
Job Category - Other Professionals - Occupational Therapy
Req Id - 8565
Are you a recently or soon to be graduated Occupational Therapist looking to begin a career in mental health?
Now is your chance - Apply today
This role includes a six month rotation within the Barwon Health – Mental Health Drug and Alcohol Services (MHDAS) directorate, after which you will be eligible to apply for a 12 month Second Year Occupational Therapy Graduate Position commencing in 2027.
• One 6-month rotation within our Barwon Health - MHDAS directorate
• Dedicated mental health educators and Senior OTs to support you
• Part-time (0.8 FTE) position - Fixed Term Early Career Program
About the service
Barwon MHDAS provides integrated and recovery oriented mental health, drugs and alcohol assessment, treatment and community support to people of all ages within the Barwon region experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, mental health and drug & alcohol issues, and their families.
Our service is internationally recognised for its innovative clinical programs and integrated models of practice that are client centred, accessible and family inclusive. We are fortunate to enjoy terrific internal relationships and have developed excellent partnerships with the local community that provide for seamless integrated care for our clients.
Barwon Health MHDAS places people with lived experience – consumers and their families, carers and supporters – at the centre of the mental health and wellbeing system.
MHDAS includes a lived experience principle that recognises the importance and value of the contribution of people with lived experience as leaders and partners in the mental health and wellbeing system
About the program
Our 2026 Mental Health, Drugs & Alcohol Allied Health Graduate Program has a position available for:
• Occupational Therapist (Grade 2)
This position will complete one six month rotation, after which you will be eligible to apply for a 12 month Second Year Occupational Therapy Graduate Position commencing in 2027.
Below are possible rotations for the OT Graduate Position commencing August 2026:
· Therapy Services: provide specialist assessment, consultation and evidenced-based psychotherapies and a comprehensive group program as part of consumer’s treatment within Barwon Health's Community Mental Health services, and the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals Service.
• Acute Inpatient Ward - Swanston Adult Acute Inpatient Centre: Our 32 bed acute psychiatric admission unit provides recovery orientated care delivery for people aged 16 and over, experiencing the effects of major mental illness/distress.
• McKellar Mental Health & Wellbeing Unit (50 +): Newly developed 16 bed unit providing specialised mental health care for independent adults (50 years +), including those with complex mental health and general health co-morbidities.
• CRF/PARC: a step up and step down service; offered as either residential, day program or outreach support.
• Community AIS Outreach (SW Only): provides assessment, treatment and support for individuals aged 16-64 years with high acuity mental health and/or AOD needs using a brief intervention model of up to a maximum of a 28-day period.
• Hospital in the Home: Innovate program providing adult and youth acute mental health bed –equivalent care in a home environment
• Jigsaw Youth Mental Health Team: specialist early intervention and treatment services for young people with drug and alcohol and/or high prevalence disorders.
• Drug & Alcohol Service: Provides treatment and harm reduction services to people wanting to access services regarding their substance use.
• Headspace Colac (SW Only): a ‘one-stop shop’ for young people aged 12-25 in the Colac/Otway region who are experiencing concerns about their mental health and wellbeing.
• GGQ Mental Health & Wellbeing Local (SW): New and innovative Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals are for anyone aged 26 years and over experiencing mental health or wellbeing concerns. This includes anyone who is experiencing mental health and substance use concerns at the same time.
• ICMHWS (OT only): The Infant & Child Mental Health & Wellbeing Service (ICMHWS) is a specialist family-focused service that provides assessment and treatment for infants, children and adolescents (0-12 years) with complex mental health problems.
About the role
As a Grade 2 Occupational Therapist, you will be responsible for beginning level practice delivery of evidence-based discipline specific (OT) assessment, treatment and support to consumers presenting with mental health and drug and alcohol problems.
Duties of your role may include but are not limited to:
• Developing consumer centred care plans
• Provision of discipline specific assessment and intervention plans
• Participating in clinical reviews
• Liaising with internal and external services to facilitate care provision
• Keeping accurate clinical documentation
• Providing connections and assistance for consumers and their families to access services that enrich and improve their wellbeing and health.
All allied health graduates will work 8.30-5 shifts alongside a more senior Occupational Therapist. You will enter a well-established multidisciplinary graduate program with opportunities to work and learn alongside fellow graduate nurses, psychologists, social workers and occupational therapists, and will be supported by a large education and training team. Graduate clinicians will be linked into a comprehensive individual and group supervision program. These positions include participation in study days within an interdisciplinary program overseen by the MHDAS Education team.
What we offer
• Professional development
• Doorstep to the Great Ocean Road, Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast
• Attractive salary packaging benefits!
• Living Expenses capped at $9,010 and includes repayments on mortgages, credit cards, personal loans and rental payments
• Meal Entertainment & Accommodation capped at $2,650 and includes food and drink consumed in a social or entertainment settings and some accommodation expenditure
Contact person: Emily Kane | Occupational Therapy Clinical Educator | Occupational Therapy Discipline Lead | MHDAS
Email: emily.kane@barwonhealth.org.au
Phone: (03) 4215 3567
Application closing date: Sunday 21, June 2026
Internal applicants:
If you are currently employed at Barwon Health, please ensure you sign in via the Employee Login on the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page through the intranet before applying.
Shortlisting may commence prior to the closing date - early applications are encouraged.