Wellways is committed to reconciliation, lived experience and inclusivity. We strongly encourage and warmly welcome people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people with lived experience of mental health and disability and people who identify at LGBTIQA+ to apply. Even if you only meet some of the criteria, we’d love to hear from you.

• Full time ongoing role based in Townsville
• SCAHDS Level 6B $115,000 - $120,400 + Super + Leave Loading + Salary packaging benefits
• Lead community-driven suicide prevention initiatives and create lasting change

Wellways is seeking an experienced and passionate Suicide Prevention Community Development Lead to bring communities together and lead meaningful action to prevent suicide across Townsville.

This is an opportunity to work at a community and systems level, building strong partnerships and bringing together people with lived experience, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, local services, organisations and community members to create locally driven approaches to suicide prevention.

About the Role

Using a community-led approach, you will help develop and lead Suicide Prevention Community Action Plans (SPCAPs). You will support communities to identify their priorities and turn shared ideas into practical action.

Drawing on contemporary suicide prevention frameworks, including the Black Dog Institute LifeSpan Framework, you will facilitate engagement, co-design and community development activities that strengthen suicide prevention capability and connections across the region.

You will work across diverse communities, including rural and remote areas, while supporting a strong focus on lived experience, cultural safety, collaboration and sustainable community-led change.

This role will include travel and overnight stays in rural locations around the Townsville region.

In this role you will:

• Build strong partnerships across Townsville and surrounding communities to support a coordinated approach to suicide prevention
• Lead co-design and community engagement with diverse stakeholders
• Co-develop, implement and review Suicide Prevention Community Action Plans
• Facilitate community-led initiatives that increase suicide prevention awareness and strengthen local connections
• Develop and support local networks to build community capability and support people experiencing distress
• Provide guidance on collective impact and systems-based approaches to suicide prevention
• Engage rural and remote communities and support locally relevant suicide prevention initiatives
• Lead program coordination, including reporting, data collection, evaluation, quality and continuous improvement
• Foster a collaborative team culture based on shared accountability, learning and mutual support

What do you need?

• Extensive experience in Community Development and/or Suicide Prevention
• Relevant qualifications or commensurate experience in working in the mental health or community services sector, generally a minimum of Diploma qualification
• Experience with program planning, development coordination and delivery
• Current valid Driver’s Licence and the ability to undertake significant travel for the role including overnight stays in rural locations
• Blue Card and NDIS Workers Screening Check (must have prior to commencement)
• Right to Work within Australia and 100 Point ID
• Satisfactory Police Records Check
• International Police Check (if applicable)
• NDIS Worker Orientation Module Certificate – Quality Safety and You

If you’re passionate about bringing communities together, building local capability and creating meaningful change in suicide prevention, we’d love to hear from you.

For a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Zenta Martin-Szpyt, Community Development Coordinator via email at smartinszpyt@wellways.org

Please submit your resume and cover letter, to view the full Position Description click APPLY!

Wellways is committed to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people.  Successful applicants must undergo a comprehensive screening process prior to their commencement.

Job Description Summary

Lead community-driven suicide prevention across Townsville, building partnerships, shaping local action and creating lasting change across the region.

Culture

We’re passionate about our work, which is enjoyable, challenging and rewarding. All of our teams work to ensure everyone can imagine and achieve their hopes and potential. We know that people are unique and the experts on their life and are not defined by impairments, diagnosis or labels. We aim to specifically promote safety and inclusivity for LGBTIQ+ and First Nations communities.

How to Apply

This is your opportunity to join a values based, growing, innovative and nationally recognised organisation with over 2,000 staff members across 93 sites.

Please select "Apply" below to complete your application.

Applications Close

18/09/2026