Mental Health Social Worker jobs in Cairns, QLD

Mental Health Social Worker work in Cairns, QLD

Mental Health Social Worker roles in Cairns, QLD sit within significant and ongoing workforce shortages across all disciplines. Cultural competency is essential. Rural outreach, remote community, and ATSI-specific roles are particularly active. Incentives including accommodation assistance are commonly offered. mental health social worker positions are found across public health services, community organisations, and private practice in the region.

Social workers in mental health bring a holistic, person-in-environment perspective to practice. They provide counselling, case management, advocacy, and practical support — helping people navigate housing, financial hardship, family relationships, and access to services alongside their mental health treatment.

Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) delivers public mental health services across Far North Queensland, including inpatient care at Cairns Hospital, community mental health teams, and specialist services. The CHHHS catchment extends to remote communities across Cape York, the Torres Strait, and the Gulf Country, with significant outreach and fly-in fly-out service delivery roles.

Qualifications typically required

• AASW-accredited Bachelor or Masters of Social Work
• AASW full membership
• Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) credential for clinical therapy roles
• NDIS Worker Screening Check for community roles

Key employers in Cairns, QLD

• Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service
• Cairns Hospital
• headspace Cairns
• North Queensland PHN
• Lives Lived Well
• UnitingCare Queensland
• Queensland Health
• Apunipima Cape York Health Council