Organisation : ACON Health Limited
Location : Sydney (Surry Hills)
Work type : Full-time, Contract/Temporary
Profession : Community Services, Healthcare & Medical, Social & Support Work
Sector : Community Development, Community Support Services, Health – General, LGBTIQ+
Salary type : Annual Package
Salary : $72,547.00 to $75,625.00 (Gross PA + Super + LL) – commensurate with skills, qualifications, and experience
Application closing date : 20 Jul, 2025
About the organisation
ACON is Australia’s largest health promotion organisation specialising in community health, inclusion, and HIV responses for people of diverse sexualities and genders. Established in 1985, ACON works to create opportunities for people in our communities to live their healthiest lives.
We are grounded in the belief that diversity is our strength, our differentiator, and at the core of who we are and what we do. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we encourage applications from people living with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTQ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, migrant and refugee backgrounds, and LGBTQ people of colour.
About the role
- Draw on your interpersonal skills and lived experience of migrating to Australia to build trust and support others in feeling confident to navigate health services, especially sexual health services, around Australia.
- New role in a passionate and values-driven team.
What’s the Peer Navigation Project, you say?
You’ll be working within ACON’s HIV and Sexual Health Division, supporting the establishment of a new peer navigation project. This project is designed to help recently arrived gay and bi+ men settle into life in Australia, build local community connections, and access sexual health services with confidence and ease.
Ok, so what’s the role?
The Multicultural Peer Navigation Officer will draw on lived or community experience to build trust, provide information, and guide individuals through Australia’s HIV and sexual health system. The role focuses on culturally inclusive support by addressing barriers to access and connecting people with relevant services such as HIV testing, PrEP, treatment, and peer support. You will:
- Provide one-on-one peer navigation, in both English and another language, to newly arrived and overseas-born gay, bisexual and men who have sex with other men (GBMSM) in a culturally inclusive and non-judgemental way.
- Work with community members to build confidence in engaging with healthcare providers and promote system literacy.
- Collaborate with other team members to plan and implement outreach activities, particularly in settings where priority language communities gather.
Who are we looking for?
- Someone with lived experience of, or strong community connection with, overseas-born GBMSM, and an understanding of the health and social issues they may face.
- Someone with strong interpersonal skills in both English and a community language (e.g., Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish or Portuguese), and confidence to engage with the community in multiple languages.
- Someone willing to learn about HIV/STI treatment and prevention, and to support other in accessing care.
What else can we tell you?
ACON provides a colourful, nurturing, and fun workplace. Our employees and volunteers are the foundation for our ongoing effectiveness and for our capacity to deliver innovative community engagement and health promotion programs and initiatives for our communities.
To support the successful candidate in their new role at ACON we offer:
- Flexible working arrangements.
- Generous learning and development opportunities.
- Potential for tailored mentoring opportunities.
- Supportive working environment with a knowledgeable and friendly team.
We provide a flexible and supportive working environment. You’ll be part of the HIV and Sexual Health Division. A highly focused team responsible for delivering information and support services on relevant health issues to GBMSM, people living with HIV, and other ACON communities.
The ‘Nuts & Bolts’
Salary: $72,547.00 to $75,625.00 (Gross per-annum, PLUS Superannuation and Leave Loading) – commensurate with skills, qualifications, and experience.
Location: ACON’s Gadigal/Sydney Office, with flexible working options a possibility (away from the office).
Hours: Full-Time (70 hours per fortnight) on a 1-year fixed term contract (with the possibility of extension).
We offer flexible working arrangements and a generous array of benefits and entitlements often above the National Employment Standards (NES) including:
- Salary Packaging up to $35,000 gross up value (i.e., currently up to $15,900 Expenses + $2,650 Meals, tax free).
- Generous pro-rata leave entitlements – including up to an extra week of paid leave for full time employees to be taken during our Christmas and New Year’s shutdown period.
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to a comprehensive counselling service free to employees.
- Access to discounted unique accommodation experiences to improve employee health and wellbeing.
Why You'll love working here
Work from home
Professional development assistance
How to apply
Still reading?
If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join our team and help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. By joining us, you will be part of a mission to create a healthier and more inclusive community.
We’d love someone who has experience already in this area but people at all levels of experience are absolutely welcome to apply. We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from CALD backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of all genders to apply.
For more information on the role, please contact Matthew Vaughan, Director, HIV & Sexual Health, via mvaughan@acon.org.au or (02) 9206 2082.
If this sounds like the position and organisation you’ve been looking for, find out how to apply at www.acon.org.au/jobs.
All applications must include:
- Your completed ACON Employment Application Form – with all the details filled in where requested;
- Your Cover Letter answering the following questions (max. 300-400 words per response):
- Please describe your lived experience of migrating to Australia as a gay or bisexual man, or your understanding of the migration experience for others in this community. In your response, you may wish to include how you established your life in Australia, as well as any successes or challenges you experienced along the way.
- Please describe your knowledge of the Australian healthcare system, particularly in relation to HIV and STIs. You may include your understanding of testing, treatment, prevention, and how people can access these services.
- Please describe your interpersonal skills. In your response, tell us how you communicate with others, how you build friendships or social networks, and how you support or influence people in your community; and
- Your Resume (max. 3 pages).
Please quote in application: Multicultural Peer Navigation Officer via Pro Bono Australia.
Sector: #Community_Development, #Community_Support_Services, #Health_–_General, #LGBTIQ
