NACCHO is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to join our team as Director, Mental Health.
This is an opportunity to influence national policy, drive system reform, and support Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) to deliver culturally safe, community-led approaches to social and emotional wellbeing, mental health and suicide prevention.
About NACCHO
The National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO) is the national peak body representing 148 Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). ACCHOs deliver comprehensive primary health care to more than half of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples nationally.
About the Role
The Director, Mental Health, provides strategic leadership, policy expertise and program oversight to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB), mental health and suicide prevention outcomes. Working closely with ACCHOs, governments and key stakeholders, you will support the design and implementation of evidence-based policies and programs that respond to community priorities and contribute to Closing the Gap outcomes.
Leading a collaborative team, you will provide high-quality policy advice, advocacy and strategic direction on complex and sensitive issues, while driving initiatives such as the Culture Care Connect Program to address gaps in mental health care, influence system reform and support lasting change in policy and practice.
Key Responsibilities:
About You
You are a strategic thinker, collaborative leader and strong advocate who is committed to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. You will bring:
Why Join Us?
At NACCHO, you’ll contribute to meaningful, community‑focused work that supports improved health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. You’ll join a supportive and inclusive team, with opportunities for professional growth and a role where your work genuinely makes a difference.
How to Apply
If you are passionate about creating lasting change and want to help shape the future of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing, we want to hear from you.
Please submit:
For more information, visit our website at Homepage - NACCHO or download the position description. Copy the URL: https://shorturl.at/0yGcN
For any questions regarding the role, please contact: Cherie Bell, Executive Director at cherie.bell@naccho.org.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.
Job Closing Date 11 September 2026
The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) has been providing outstanding care for Victoria's children and their families for over 147 years.
We are the major specialist paediatric hospital in Victoria and our care extends to children from Tasmania, southern New South Wales and other states around Australia and overseas.
With a passionate, highly skilled and committed staff campus wide of over 5,000, we provide a full range of clinical services, tertiary care and health promotion and prevention programs for children and young people.
We are the designated state-wide major trauma centre for paediatrics in Victoria and a Nationally Funded Centre for cardiac and liver transplantation.
When it comes to training and research we partner with the very best. Our campus partners, the Murdoch Childrens Research Institute (MCRI) and The University of Melbourne Department of Paediatrics, along with the RCH Foundation, are on site with the hospital in Parkville. Together, we are committed to improving the health outcomes for children today and in the future.
In 2016–17, more than 85,654 children attended our Emergency Department, 322,291 specialist clinic appointments were held which was almost 70,000 more than the previous year, more than 17,000 surgeries were performed and more than 48,552 children were admitted to our wards.
