Mental health jobs in Townsville, QLD

Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) is the principal provider of public mental health care across North Queensland, operating Townsville University Hospital and a network of community mental health teams, acute and subacute inpatient units, and specialist services including forensic and older persons mental health. The THHS catchment covers a large geographic area extending to Mount Isa and remote communities.

Townsville has a substantial Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, and culturally responsive mental health care is a core workforce priority for the region. The city is home to James Cook University, which trains psychologists, social workers, and mental health nurses, creating a pipeline of local graduates — though many relocate south after training.

headspace Townsville serves the city's significant young adult population, and Lives Lived Well provides AOD counselling and community-based mental health support across the region. The North Queensland PHN funds a range of primary mental health services and supports the Headspace network across North Queensland.

The Australian Defence Force presence at Lavarack Barracks creates additional demand for veteran and defence-family mental health services. Rural and remote service delivery roles are common in the Townsville HHS, and many positions offer generous attraction and retention incentives.