18th February, 2026
- A part-time (0.4 EFT), ongoing role with a values-based organisation
- Based in the Dandenong Local office, nearby parking and close to public transport
- Salary of $110,102 (pro rata to 0.4 EFT) + Super + NFP Salary Packaging
Rebuilding Shattered Lives – Supporting people of refugee background to recover from torture and other traumatic events Your Impact Foundation House is successfully partnering in the delivery of the Dandenong Mental Health and Wellbeing Local ('The Local') services, with a consortium led by Mind Australia and including Thorne Harbour Health and Monash Health.
The Local is about providing Victorian adults with access to mental health and wellbeing care/support. The service is for anyone aged 26 years and over that is experiencing mental health or wellbeing concerns.
The Foundation House Complementary Therapies (CT) team is an integrated part of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Program Area, providing natural therapies and bodywork alongside the work of counsellor/advocates and other practitioners. CT has been a part of Foundation House for more than 30 years and is a unique program which has an emerging knowledge base for the use of natural therapies and bodywork in survivors of torture and trauma.
Current core therapies of the CT team include Naturopathy, Massage Therapy, Shiatsu, Yoga, and somatic bodywork and movement.
The Role The Complementary Therapist will work as part of a multidisciplinary team at The Dandenong Local and report to the Cross-Cultural Practice Manager. Working with refugee and asylum seeker clients in The Local, this position will involve individual, family and group work.
Key responsibilities include:
- Deliver the Provide a trauma informed approach to natural therapies and bodywork health assessments of clients referred to the Complementary Therapies. This includes taking detailed health histories to enable appropriate and relevant services to be delivered.
- Advise on appropriateness and suitability of referred clients to participate in the Complementary Therapy program in liaison with Mental Health and Wellbeing staff.
- Provide a range of natural therapies including herbal medicine, lifestyle and exercise guidance and relevant expertise in the area of professional proficiency, or the provision of other therapeutic services such as acupuncture, osteopathy, physiotherapy or myotherapy. The emphasis is with sensitivity and awareness of cross-cultural and trauma context.
- Participate in the planning and facilitating of therapeutic group work involving your area of expertise.
- Provide client centred interventions and appropriate health related advice for clients, ensuring communication and liaison with relevant Mental Health and Wellbeing practitioners.
- Advocate on behalf of clients experiencing barriers to accessing allied health and medical services to improve client knowledge of and accesses to services.
Available is one part-time (0.4 EFT), ongoing position, based in the Dandenong Local office.
What you’ll need to successfully apply To be successful, you will need to positively respond to the below selection criteria:
- Tertiary qualification in a relevant discipline, such as Bachelor of Health Science or an Advanced Diploma. A minimum qualification of a certificate or diploma issued by a reputable school or institution is required.
- Demonstrated advanced knowledge and experience in your area of expertise, including conducting comprehensive complementary health assessments and developing client centred therapeutic interventions.
- Demonstrated knowledge of and experience in delivering culturally inclusive and safe services.
- Some experience of working with survivors of trauma, marginalised or disadvantaged populations, either in natural therapies or a related discipline.
- A comprehensive understanding of Victorian health systems, services and how they operate.
- A commitment to best practice and professional skills development in area of expertise and a thorough understanding of health determinants and the impact on individual wellbeing.
- Effective professional communication skills, including experience working with interpreters and liaising with external medical and allied health professions.
In return You’ll be rewarded with:
- an attractive remuneration package of $110,102 (pro rata to 0.4 EFT) plus superannuation and annual leave loading
- salary packaging benefits of up to $18,550 and novated car leasing options
- a role with true purpose to make a difference in people’s lives
- a welcoming, highly diverse and supportive team environment
- access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members.
About Foundation House We are:
- a state-wide agency offering services throughout Victoria. We currently have approximately 250 staff across our six offices in Brunswick, Dallas, Dandenong, Ringwood, Sunshine and Werribee, and we also provide services in partnership with other agencies in regional and rural Victoria
- values driven and committed to improving the life outcomes refugee background survivors
- an inclusive and equal opportunity employer
- a Child Safe organisation committed to promoting and protecting the interests and safety of children. We also actively play a part in combating family violence, as reflected in our organisational policies, protocols and staff development.
How to apply Please upload your CV and a cover letter (maximum one to two pages) outlining why you are suitable for this role and how you meet the selection criteria as described above.
Refer to the position description below for detailed information about the role and more information about our hiring process.
Position Description: https://tinyurl.com/5544rhk7
Copy & paste link to download PDF
Applications are due to close 11th of March 2026. Please note, applications may be considered as they are received, and job ads may close early. For enquiries, please contact Justin Curreen-Harris – HR & Recruitment Specialist via jobs@foundationhouse.org.au or by phone on 03 9389 8985.
Appointment to the position is subject to a satisfactory National Police Check, Working with Children Check and Reference Check process. If you have lived for a continuous period of 12 months or more in another country within the last 10 years, an International Police Check from that country will also be required. The successful applicant must be able to demonstrate proof of the Right to Work in Australia.
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