2026 Allied Health (SW/OT) Graduate Opportunities

Employment Type - Temporary Part Time
Hours per fortnight - 64
Job Category - Allied Health Professional (generic)
Req Id - 6868

Are you a recently or soon to be graduated Occupational Therapist or Social Worker looking to begin a career in mental health?
Now is your chance - Apply today

Rotational programs with options across acute, community and speciality units
Dedicated mental health educators and Senior OTs & SWs to support you
Multiple discipline specific positions available - Part Time options only (0.8 FTE)

About Barwon Health
Barwon Health is one of the largest and most comprehensive regional health services in Australia, providing care at all stages of life and circumstance. Services available through Barwon Health cover the full spectrum from primary care, community services, aged care, rehabilitation, mental health, emergency and acute care. We serve more than 500,000 people through the efforts of more than 9000 staff and volunteers across more than 20 sites. Barwon Health is committed to developing a vibrant culture of education, training and research that advances health and wellbeing for all.

About Mental Health, Drug and Alcohol Services (MHDAS)
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.
MHDAS is entering a new phase of co-design of our service system with people who access our services and our wider community. This will build on our nationally recognized unique cultural approach to the challenges of recovery-oriented service delivery to redesign our service system.

About the program

Our 2026 Mental Health, Drugs & Alcohol Allied Health Graduate Program has multiple positions available for:

Social Worker (Grade 1)

Occupational Therapist (Grade 1)

Each discipline specific graduate will complete 2 x 6 month rotations across the MHDAS service. Rotational opportunities include:

Acute Inpatient Wards 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.

Hospital in the Home: Innovate program providing adult and youth acute mental health bed –equivalent care in a home environment

Youth Mental Health Team (South): specialist early intervention and treatment services for young people with drug and alcohol and/or high prevalence disorders.

Therapy Services (OT): provides 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, specifically the new Mental Health and Wellbeing Locals Service.

GGQ Mental Health & Wellbeing Local: 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.

ICMHWBS (OT only): The Infant Child Mental Health & Wellbeing Service (ICMHWBS) is a specialist family-focused service that provides assessment and treatment for infants, children and adolescents (0-11 years) with complex mental health problems.

Continuuing Care Services (Community MH) - Corio, Bellarine, Geelong West: These teams provide comprehensive crisis assessment, crisis management and treatment, case management of complex issues and mobile outreach to people aged between 16 and 65 years, experiencing serious mental health needs.

Please specify in your cover letter your preferences for role and rotations.

About the roles

As a Grade 1 Social Worker or Occupational Therapist, you will be responsible for beginning level practice delivery of evidence-based discipline specific (OT or SW) 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/ Social Worker. 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.

Please note Barwon Health will only contact you via our official email and never use unconventional means, such as text messaging or other services.

About the culture
You will have the opportunity to be part of a highly skilled, professional and dedicated team who take pride in providing high quality services. We promote positive, respectful relationships and strong partnerships within the workplace. Grow and develop your capabilities with Barwon Health’s commitment to professional development.

Barwon Health staff benefits
Excellent working conditions with a high sense of job satisfaction.
A vibrant staff wellbeing program and access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Program.
Wide-range of professional development opportunities to enhance your career.
Attractive salary packaging benefits. Living expenses capped at $9010 and meals and entertainment capped at $2650.

About Geelong
Derived from the local Wathaurong Aboriginal name for the region Djilang, Geelong is thought to mean ‘Tongue of Land’.
Geelong offers a range of lifestyle choices including inner city, coastal, suburban and rural homes.
Geelong is home to world class schools and education providers.
Doorstep to the Great Ocean Road, Bellarine Peninsula and the Surf Coast
Appreciate our vast and abundant parklands, sports and entertainment attractions, and thriving dining and shopping complexes.
To learn more about the region, click here.

Occupational Therapy Contact person: Emily Kane | Occupational Therapy Clinical Educator & Discipline Lead
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 4215 3567

Social Worker Contact Person: Mark Moran | Social Work Clinical Educator & Discipline Lead
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (03) 4215 3365

Application closing date: Friday 18, December 2025
Position Description - OT
Position Description - SW