Become a mental health practitioner
Victorian government secondary and specialist schools are now recruiting mental health practitioners (MHP). MHPs provide early intervention and time-limited supports for students with mild to moderate mental health needs, including direct counselling and mental health promotion for students and schools.
Who can apply
Mental health practitioners must be qualified:
- Occupational therapists
- Psychologists
- Social workers
- Nurses with a specialisation in mental health
- Counsellors of a prescribed class
MHPs must meet the following registration requirements:
- psychologists, occupational therapists and mental health nurses - full registration with the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
- social workers - be eligible for registration with the Australian Association of Social Workers
- counsellors - completed a Bachelor of Counselling or a Master of Counselling and be a practicing/fully qualified member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
Role of the mental health practitioner
Mental health practitioner roles are school based. Practitioners work flexibly based on the needs of the school.
The role includes:
- mental health prevention and promotion
- short term support for students including direct counselling
- coordinating supports with other services for students with complex needs.
Schools can also use advice and resources in the Schools Mental Health toolkit to support student mental health and wellbeing.
Recruitment
Schools receive funding to employ mental health practitioners.
Area-based mental health coordinators support schools with practitioner recruitment and induction such as:
- guidance on the role of mental health practitioners and the expertise they can bring
- supporting schools with recruitment difficulties. For example, schools in rural areas and schools with low enrolment numbers.
- coordinating professional development and networking for practitioners.
About the positions
Mental health practitioner positions offer:
- meaningful work that has a positive impact on student outcomes and their lives
- job security and flexibility, with part-time options available
- work life balance, with paid school holidays
- access to a range of professional development supports.
How to apply
Search for advertised roles and apply through these career portals.
Updated 27 March 2026
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