Mental health, alcohol and other drug careers

Whether you’re starting your career or looking for your next step, you’ll be part of a workforce delivering compassionate, recovery-focused care that supports individuals, families and communities.
Your career and professional development

Build a rewarding and flexible career across a range of disciplines within Mental Health and Specialist Services. We support career progression through structured pathways, professional development and opportunities to grow across clinical, lived experience and support roles.

We offer diverse career pathways across multiple disciplines, allowing you to build a career that reflects your skills, interests and experience.

Opportunities include roles across:

• Medical
• Nursing
• Allied Health
• Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health
• Administration and support services.

Career pathways include:

• Entry-level and graduate roles
• Progression into specialised clinical or program areas
• Leadership and advanced practice roles
• Opportunities to work across different service streams and settings.

Early career entry pathways

We offer a range of entry pathways to support your career journey:

• Graduate programs and clinical placements
• Entry-level roles across clinical and support services
• Opportunities within allied health and lived experience pathways.

These pathways provide valuable experience and support your transition into mental health careers.
Education and development

We provide access to a range of professional development opportunities to support your growth across all career stages.

Our development opportunities include:

• Professional development and education support
• Clinical training and skill development
• Opportunities for research, innovation and collaboration
• Leadership development and capability building
• Ongoing learning across multidisciplinary teams.

Advanced practice and research

Mental Health and Specialist Services provides opportunities to contribute to innovation, research and service improvement.

You’ll have opportunities to:

• Participate in research and evidence-based practice
• Contribute to service innovation and improvement
• Work in collaborative, multidisciplinary teams.

Skills, qualifications and requirements

• Qualifications vary depending on the role and discipline
• Registration or certification may be required for clinical roles
• Strong communication, empathy and teamwork skills
• Commitment to recovery-focused, person-centred care
• Ability to work in a dynamic and evolving healthcare environment.

Mental Health and Specialist Services is committed to building a skilled, inclusive and sustainable workforce that reflects the diverse needs of our community.

Our service areas

We offer opportunities across a range of specialised service lines:

• Specialist Programs and Alcohol and Other Drugs Service
• Community Mental Health Services
• Secure Mental Health and Rehabilitation
• Child and Youth Mental Health Services
• Adult and Older Persons Mental Health Inpatient Services
• Acute Community Mental Health.

Our initiatives

We are committed to progressing key workforce priorities, including:

• Attracting and recruiting a skilled workforce
• Building leadership capability and capacity
• Supporting staff wellbeing, culture and flexibility
• Strengthening education, research and training opportunities
• Building a workforce that reflects our community
• Strengthening collaborative partnerships.

Innovation and recognition

Mental Health and Specialist Services has been recognised for its commitment to inclusion and innovation, including receiving the 2025 Public Sector Neurodiversity Excellence Award for Innovative Initiatives.

Culture and benefits

We are committed to creating a workplace where staff wellbeing, diversity and inclusion are prioritised, and where employees feel supported to grow and succeed.

Explore our culture, employee benefits and learn more about working at Gold Coast Health.

Join a dynamic and growing workforce delivering high-quality mental health and specialist services across the Gold Coast.

Where you’ll work

• Community-based mental health services
• Inpatient and acute care settings
• Specialist programs and outreach services
• Specialist mental health services such as the Gold Coast Secure Mental Health Rehabilitation Unit.

You’ll work in collaborative teams focused on delivering recovery-oriented, person-centred care.

Explore opportunities

View current vacancies via Queensland Health Careers and join our talent pools for upcoming opportunities.

Useful links