Start your nursing career where care, connection and recovery come first.

Employment Type: Permanent Full-time, Part Time and Casual Opportunities

Position Classification: Assist In Nursing

Remuneration: $32.85 - $36.04 per hour + 12% Superannuation + Salary packaging

Hours Per Week: 38

Requisition ID: REQ698363

Location:Tamworth

Closing Date: Monday 19th October 2026

About the Opportunity

An exciting opportunity is available for an Undergraduate Assistant in Nursing (AIN) to join the team at the new Tamworth Mental Health Unit, servicing the New England North West region.

This brand-new, purpose-built facility features 37 inpatient beds, including:

• 20 adult mental health beds
• 5 high-acuity beds
• 4 beds for younger people
• 8 older persons mental health beds

The Tamworth Mental Health Unit delivers contemporary, recovery-oriented care within a modern therapeutic environment designed to support consumers, families and staff.

Care is provided by a highly skilled multidisciplinary team, incorporating medical, nursing, psychology, occupational therapy, social work and allied health professionals. Consumers are encouraged to participate in a structured therapeutic program focused on engagement, social connection, education, skill development and improving both mental and physical wellbeing. As an Undergraduate AIN, you’ll have the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience within a specialist mental health setting while building your clinical skills and confidence alongside experienced clinicians. From day one, you’ll be supported through a comprehensive orientation program, regular in-service education and access to ongoing professional development, supervision and mentoring.

What You Will Be Doing

As an Assistant in Nursing, you will support Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses to deliver safe, person-centred and recovery-focused care to consumers within the inpatient mental health setting.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting consumers with activities of daily living, including personal care, nutrition, mobility and comfort.
• Undertaking delegated consumer observations and reporting changes in behaviour, mental state or physical health.
• Supporting consumers to participate in therapeutic, recreational and group activities.
• Assisting with routine clinical tasks within your scope of practice.
• Maintaining a safe and supportive ward environment.
• Accurately documenting delegated care and observations.
• Communicating effectively with nursing staff and the multidisciplinary team to support continuity of care.

This role works within a clearly defined scope of practice under the delegation and supervision of a Registered Nurse and reports to the Nurse Unit Manager through the Registered Nurse in Charge.

This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience in mental health nursing while working in a supportive, learning-focused environment.

About You

We are seeking enthusiastic and reliable undergraduate nursing students who are passionate about mental health and eager to build their clinical skills.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

• Current enrolment in a Bachelor of Nursing program.
• Successful completion of first year and first semester/trimester of second year of an undergraduate nursing degree.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• A person-centred and compassionate approach to care.
• The ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Reliability, accountability and a positive attitude.
• A willingness to learn and contribute to a supportive team environment.
• An interest in developing knowledge and experience in mental health nursing.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop practical skills, gain exposure to specialist mental health care and begin building a rewarding career in nursing within a modern, supportive and multidisciplinary environment.

What we can offer you:

✅ Opportunities for ongoing learning and professional development

✅ Sustainable Healthcare: Together towards zero

✅ Monthly Allocated Days Off (for full-time employees)

✅ 4 weeks annual leave (pro-rata for part time employees)

✅ Paid parental leave (for eligible employees) - giving you the opportunity for true Worklife balance

✅ Salary packaging options - up to $11,600 plus novated leasing

✅ Fitness Passport for health and well-being - discounted gym options for you and your family

✅ Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for staff and family members

✅ The Welcome Experience helps you and your family connect with local people and resources, making it easier to settle in and feel at home in your new community. Learn more at www.nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

Additional Information

To be eligible for permanent employment in this position you must be an Australian Citizen, or a permanent resident of Australia, or a New Zealand citizen with a current New Zealand Passport. Employment of a temporary visa holder may only occur if no suitable local candidate is identified for the position; in this instance, you may only be offered employment in line with the conditions and expiry date of your visa.

We are unable to accommodate visa sponsorship for applicants requiring a visa for this position.

An eligibility list will be created for future permanent full or part time and temporary full or part time vacancies.

Hunter New England Health is dedicated to fostering a child-safe environment that respects and upholds the rights of children and young people, aligned with NSW Health’s commitment to implementing the Child Safe Standards. We aim to ensure that children and young people feel safe, supported, and included in their care. All current and prospective staff are expected to prioritise the safety, welfare, and well-being of children and young people, actively working to protect them from harm and abuse.

At Hunter New England Local Health District, we are an inclusive employer dedicated to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and welcoming workplace. Our commitment to a workforce that reflects the community we care for is essential for delivering the highest quality healthcare to our community. We encourage people with diverse lived experiences to apply. If you require any accommodations or adjustments to the recruitment process please let us know when you apply or at any stage of the process. We will work with you to meet your needs and create the best possible experience. Please contact [email protected] for confidential support.

Need more information?

1) Click here for the Position Description

2) Find out more about applying for this position

For role related queries or questions contact Priscilla Zifodya on [email protected]

Information for Applicants:

Applicants will be assessed against the essential requirements and selection criteria contained within the position description (link below).For assistance addressing selection criteria visit: https://bit.ly/3vL5fq2

Stepping Up Websiteis a resource designed to help indigenous job applicants apply for positions in NSW Health. For more information, please visit: https://bit.ly/HNEHealthSteppingUp

This is a Category A position. Recommended applicants will be reviewed for compliance withNSW Health policy directive PD2024_015: Occupational Assessment, Screening and Vaccination against Specified Infectious Diseasesfor Category A positions prior to offer.All new employees must agree to comply with the requirements outlined in the policy.

Salary Packaging:is beneficial to most Hunter New England Health employees and may increase your take-home pay! Salary package a range of personal expenses including novated motor vehicle leases, relocation expenses, and HECS/HELP debt. Find out more by contacting SalaryPackagingPLUS! via [email protected] or 1300 40 25 23.

Hunter New England Health employees may be eligible for a range ofbenefitssuch as allocated days off (ADO) for full time employees, long service leave, paid maternity leave, and salary packaging options including meal expenses.

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