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Graduate opportunities now closed
headspace would like to acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as Australia’s First People and Traditional Custodians. We value their cultures, identities and continuing connection to country, waters, kin and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and are committed to making a positive contribution to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, by providing services that are welcoming, safe, culturally appropriate and inclusive.
About the headspace graduate program
headspace is a place like no other. It’s a place where people listen and support one another, working collaboratively to help build brighter futures. If you’re looking for a graduate role where you can hit the ground running, where you’ll gain unique experience and where you’ll continue to develop your skills with professional training – you’ll find your place at headspace.
This exciting program is designed to offer graduates access to a two-year comprehensive youth mental health training and development program. The program includes discipline-specific clinical supervision as well as 40 days of funded professional training and the opportunity to complete placements at two headspace centres to diversify your learning experience. Furthermore, successful candidates will have exclusive access to:
- Extensive experience working within the internationally-renowned headspace model for youth mental health
- Training and supervision to support professional development
- Diversity of experience through two 12-month placements with at least one in a regional, rural or remote setting
- Exciting opportunities to live and work across the country (see FAQs below for locations)
- Long-term career opportunities in youth mental health
Applications for the 2023 intake are closed.
headspace’s vision is that all young people are supported to be mentally healthy and engaged in their communities. For this vision to become a reality, we must ensure that our services are culturally safe and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, their families, and by extension, communities.
In recognition of this, we are committed to continuous improvement in the ways in which our services connect and engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
As part our headspace graduate program, we have opportunities for First Nations allied health graduates to engage in a First Nations graduate program that sits within the broader headspace Graduate Program. First Nations Graduates will be supported by the First Nations Wellbeing & Healing division. They will gain firsthand clinical experience throughout headspace with the support of cultural supervision. See the FAQ below for more information about the First Nations graduate roles.
You can also email Kimberley Harrison (National Manager, First Nations Wellbeing and Healing) with any questions.
Interested in learning more?
Who we're seeking
- Recent graduates (from the last three years)
- Appropriate tertiary qualifications in Psychology, Social Work, or Occupational Therapy
- Passionate, energetic, and determined graduates looking to make a difference to health outcomes for young people
- Graduates who are open to new experiences including placements in regional, rural and remote settings to broaden their skills and perspectives.
Want to continue developing your career in youth mental health with ongoing professional training, while you work? If you’re looking for a rewarding graduate role, where you’ll hit the ground running and where your skills are put to use, from day one. Find your place at headspace.
Hear from Larry, from the 2022 graduate intake.
About headspace
headspace is the National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds. headspace can help young people with mental health, physical health (including sexual health) alcohol and other drug services, and work and study support. Learn more
The First Nations graduates will be engaged in the headspace Graduate program and be working within a clinical team at a headspace centre. The graduates will be closely linked with the First Nations Wellbeing & Healing division at headspace National. The headspace First Nations Graduate will play a pivotal role in a headspace centre. They’ll bring their cultural knowledge and expertise as well as contribute in developing and providing:
- high quality, culturally informed intake/assessment
- ongoing mental health/social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) services to young people, families, friends, and communities.
In addition, graduates may participate in community awareness raising activities that promote early help-seeking for mental health challenges in young people. The First Nations Graduate will be supported by attending headspace Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander network (ATSN) meetings, cultural and clinical supervision (individual and group), regular staff meetings, and availability of a senior staff member at all times.
To apply for this role you will need:
- Information about your qualifications and working rights
- Details of ONE professional referee
- Your preferences for placements at the headspace centres participating in the program
- Answers to short answer questions
Download our how to apply guide for detailed instructions on how to apply and the short answer questions.
Written applications will be reviewed to identify a shortlist of candidates for interview. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to register to attend an information session and an interview. They will also be asked to submit a letter from a referee.
At the information session there will be an opportunity to ask questions about the graduate program and the interview process. Interviews will be conducted online with a panel of three interviewers.
If you are shortlisted for an interview, you will receive an email inviting you to book an interview time. The Graduate Program team aims to notify shortlisted candidates in early September.
Occupational Therapists
Must have completed a qualifying degree in Occupational Therapy (Bachelor or Master level) and be eligible for registration with AHPRA before 1st of February 2023.
Social Work
Must have completed a qualifying degree in Social Work (Master or Bachelor) and be eligible for AASW by 1st of February 2023.
Psychology
Must be eligible for General registration as a Psychologist with AHPRA by 1st of February 2023, after completing an approved post-graduate pathway (e.g. Doctorate, Master or completed internship pathways).
Please note that people wishing to complete their internships through a 5+1 or 4+2 pathway are not currently eligible for this program.
As part of a clinical team, you will play a pivotal role in a headspace centre. You will contribute to developing and providing high quality, intake/assessment and ongoing psychological services to young people, and their families/carers. Successful candidates will undertake two 12-month placements in different headspace centres giving an exciting variation to the role. It is a requirement of the position that one of those placements is in a regional, rural or remote headspace service. As this is a national program, graduates may have the opportunity to complete a rotation interstate in one of our participating headspace services. Graduates are currently placed in Victorian, Tasmanian, Western Australian and Queensland services
The headspace Graduate Program will provide graduates with a comprehensive professional development program designed to support graduates in being excellent mental health clinicians and to kick start their career in youth mental health.
This includes:
- Discipline specific clinical supervision to enable graduates to complete their discipline’s endorsement or mental health accreditation pathways, and strengthen discipline identity
- 40 days of professional training in a tailored youth mental health training program
- Access to communities of practice led by experienced clinicians
You can contact our recruitment panel at graduates@headspace.org.au
The headspace Graduates Program has placed graduates across Western Australia, Victoria, Queensland, and Tasmania with plans to expand our placement offered to other states and territories soon.
Download a full list of participating headspace centres.
To learn more about these headspace services, check out the Find a headspace centre page
The headspace Digital Mental Health Programs (DMHP) offer a wide range of online mental health resources and support services that are free and accessible to young people (12 to 25 years) and their families and friends throughout Australia. The DMHP is a big entity of headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation with over 115 staff across six programs, supporting tens of thousands of young people and families annually.
The largest and longest standing of these programs is eheadspace which provides free, confidential, and anonymous counselling services, online and by telephone seven days a week from 9-1AM (AEST). See video below to hear from eheadspace clinicians about what's it's like to work at eheadspace and download a breakdown of all the programs offered in DMHP and learn what a graduate rotation at DMHP would look like.
A number of factors contribute to the placement decision-making process, including your needs and preferences, as well as broader program requirements.
You will be asked to complete a series of questions as part of your application that provides the graduate program team insights into what will contribute to a great placement experience for you. The information from these questions will be used in a placement matching workshop and successful applicants will be informed of their first placement location when being offered a position in the program.
Graduates who are undertaking a significant relocation for a placement will receive financial support to assist them with travel, temporary accommodation and for those undertaking remote placements, a remote allowance to assist with increased cost of living.
No. The program is full-time for the 2-years
Previous experience working at headspace will be a factor we consider in our selection but we strongly encourage people from a range of backgrounds and experience to apply.
If you are currently working at a headspace centre, speak to your centre manager about them supporting your application. You’ll be able to record their support in your application.
