Our Purpose, Vision and Values

Our Purpose:

• We create opportunities for people in our communities to live healthier, more connected lives

Our Vision:

• We strive to be a global leader in health, inclusion and HIV responses for all people in our communities

Our Values:

• COMMUNITY – We are made for and by our community. Lived experience is at the heart of what do and guides our decision-making.
• COLLABORATION – We work meaningfully with, and value the expertise of, our communities, colleagues, partners and allies.
• COMPASSION – We acknowledge the stigma, discrimination and inequality our communities face. We hold these experiences with care and compassion as we conduct our work.
• COURAGE – We strive to be courageous in who we are and the ways we work, constantly evolving, and working with integrity to ensure the best possible outcomes for our communities.
• EQUITY – We recognise that improving health outcomes requires varying levels of investment to help rectify structural inequities. We strive to work with an intersectional lens to champion the needs of our communities, recognising the systems that compound diverse and overlapping circumstances.

Events Support Officer

Gadigal Land/Sydney Office, Full-time.

Do you want to join a high performing team delivering exceptional events supporting LGBTQ+ Inclusion?

• We are looking for someone to join the Pride Inclusion Programs Events Team that delivers five major events across the year promoting LGBTQ+ inclusion

What’s the Pride Inclusion Programs Events Team?

• ACON’s Pride Inclusion Programs provides Australian employers, National and State Sporting Organisations, health and care-based organisations with specialist advice, training and consulting services covering all aspects of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) inclusion.
• The Events Team delivers Australia’s only LGBTQ+ Workplace, Health and Sporting Inclusion Awards, in addition to the national Pride in Practice Conference and Pride in Sport Summit.

Ok, so what’s the role?

The Events Support Officer provides support for all divisional events and event administration, from major annual events to smaller programmatic events.

You will:

• Assist with pre-event organisation and planning
• Work closely with Events Manager on all aspects of the events to ensure successful end-to-end execution of all divisional events
• Manage incoming orders for divisional-wide merchandise and distribution.

Who are we looking for?

• An enthusiastic team player that can demonstrate initiative with the ability to pick up processes quickly
• Someone with an eye for detail and the ability to communicate at all levels with a professional, confident manner
• Individual prepared to get involved in all aspects of events to develop a career within a small successful team

What else can we tell you?

ACON provides a colourful, nurturing, and fun workplace. Our employees and volunteers are the foundation for our ongoing effectiveness and for our capacity to deliver innovative community engagement and health promotion programs and initiatives for our communities.

To support the successful candidate in their new role at ACON we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements.
• Generous learning and development opportunities.
• Potential for tailored mentoring opportunities.
• Supportive working environment with a knowledgeable and friendly team.

What’s the remuneration and working details? 

Salary:           $72,547 (Gross Annual Salary, PLUS Superannuation and Leave Loading).

Location:      ACON’s Gadigal lands/Sydney Office, with flexible working options a possibility (away from the office)

Hours:         Full time, 70 hours per fortnight on 12-month contract with the possibility of extension (ability to work outside of hours for events when required)

We offer flexible working arrangements and a generous array of benefits and entitlements often above the National Employment Standards (NES) including:

• Salary Packaging up to $35,000 gross up value (i.e., currently up to $15,900 Expenses + $2,650 Meals, tax free).
• Generous pro-rata leave entitlements – including up to an extra week of paid leave for full time employees to be taken during our Christmas and New Year’s shutdown period.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – access to a comprehensive counselling service free to employees.

How can I find out more details and apply? 

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join our team and help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. By joining us, you will be part of a mission to create a healthier and more inclusive community.

We’d love someone who has experience already in this area but people at all levels of experience are absolutely welcome to apply. We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people from CALD backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of all genders to apply.

For more information on the role, please contact Colin Hyde, National Operations Manager, email at chyde@acon.org.au  or (02) 9206 2000.

Your ONLINE APPLICATION must include:

1. Your completed ACON Employment Application Form with all the details filled in where requested; attaching your:
   1. Cover Letter (max. one page) outlining how the position aligns with your Personal Values and Interests, and how your Skills and Experience meet the Essential Selection Criteria in the Position Description; and
   2. Resume outlining any current and previous employment and training. Be sure to include your Education History and any Formal Qualifications, Major / Minor Study Fields, Honours and Publications, and Work Experience (including Paid Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer work).

DOWNLOAD: Position Description

Applications Close: Sunday 15 February

We are grounded in the belief that diversity is our strength, our differentiator, and at the core of who we are and what we do. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we encourage applications from people living with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTQ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, migrant and refugee backgrounds, and LGBTQ people of colour.

Community Liaison & Administration/NSP Support Officer (Lismore)

Want to be part of helping LGBTQ+ communities in Regional NSW?

• Be the first point of contact for our communities and support the day-to-day reception and front-of-house (FoH) operations.
• Part-time (28 hours/fortnight) based in our Bundjalung/Lismore office.

About the ACON Northern Rivers Team

The ACON Bundjalung/Lismore office is responsible for the delivery of ACON’s programs and services in regional NSW from Port Macquarie to Tweed Heads, with a focus on Health Promotion, Mental Health Services, the Needle Syringe Program and Harm Reduction. Our office is in Lismore’s CBD and has been supporting LGBTQ+ community for nearly 40 years.

Ok, so what’s the role?

The Community Liaison & Administration/NSP Support Officer role is part our Front-of-House Team. This is a small, dedicated team of staff and volunteers, providing front line support and advice to all people that walk through our door. Whether they are here for mental health support, safe-sex supplies, our Needle and Syringe Programs (NSP), or information accessing another service, we’re here to help. This role also supports the operational and administrative requirements of the Lismore Office and works directly with the Regional Manager. The key responsibilities are:

• Provide general reception and professional front-of-house (FoH) services to all members of our communities both face-to-face and via telephone.
• Receive and manage confidential communications including referrals to ACON Northern Rivers Peer and Client Services team.
• Administrative support of the NSP program, which includes: providing harm minimisation advice, ordering stock, monitoring drug alerts, recording and reporting of data and client interactions.
• Guide and support Front-of-House volunteers.

Who are we looking for?

• Someone with a polite, responsive and professional interpersonal style, including conflict resolution and de-escalation skills.
• Someone flexible, responsive and organised, managing multiple tasks successfully.
• Someone with a strong understanding of and commitment to ACON’s communities, particularly people who inject and use drugs or other substances and sex workers.

Essential Selection Criteria:

1. Strong understanding of and commitment to ACON’s communities, particularly people who inject and use drugs or other substances and sex workers.
2. Experience and/or demonstrated skills in reception or office administration, including managing a busy telephone and face-to-face reception environment.
3. Excellent organisational and time management skills, with demonstrated experience providing general office, financial (e.g., credit card reconciliation, budget), records and/or stock control administrative support and sound computer literacy skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite programs).
4. High-level communication skills, both written and verbal, including negotiation, de-escalation and conflict resolution.
5. Demonstrated abilities to work with minimal supervision as well as part of a team.
6. An understanding of peer education and harm minimisation strategies.
7. Evidence of up-to-date recommended vaccinations to meet any Department of Health requirements for the role.

What else can we tell you?

ACON provides a colourful, nurturing, and fun workplace. Our employees and volunteers are the foundation for our ongoing effectiveness and for our capacity to deliver innovative community engagement, health promotion programs and initiatives for our communities.

To support the successful candidate in their new role at ACON we offer:

• Generous learning and development opportunities.
• Potential for tailored mentoring opportunities.
• Supportive working environment with a knowledgeable and friendly team.

We provide a flexible and supportive working environment. You’ll be part of the Regional Services unit within the Community Programs Division, a tight-knit team of professional that value self-determination, empowering individuals, and community development.

What’s the remuneration and working details?

Salary:                 $72,547 per-annum FTE (Gross Salary, PLUS Superannuation and Leave Loading) [$39.86 per hr + Super + LL].

Location:             ACON’s Bundjalung (Lismore) Office

Hours:                 Part-Time (28 hours per fortnight), with possible additional hours available to cover leave.

Rostered days:   Thursdays and Fridays 9:00am – 5:00pm.

How can I find out more details and apply?

If this sounds like you, we invite you to apply to join our team and help us make a meaningful impact on the lives of those we serve. By joining us, you will be part of a mission to create a healthier and more inclusive community.

For more information on the role, please contact Brad Bower, Regional Manager Northern Rivers, via email at bbower@acon.org.au or (02) 6622 1555.

Your ONLINE APPLICATION must include:

1. Your completed ACON Employment Application Form with all the details filled in where requested; attaching your:
   1. Cover Letter (max. 3 pages) outlining how the position aligns with your Personal Values and Interests, and how your Skills and Experience meet the Essential Selection Criteria in the Position Description; and
   2. Resume (max. 3 pages) outlining any current and previous employment and training. Be sure to include your Education History and any Formal Qualifications, Major / Minor Study Fields, Honours and Publications, and Work Experience (including Paid Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer work).

DOWNLOAD: Position Description

Applications Close: Sunday 15 March 2026

We are grounded in the belief that diversity is our strength, our differentiator, and at the core of who we are and what we do. As part of our commitment to inclusion, we encourage applications from people living with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and LGBTQ people from culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse, migrant and refugee backgrounds, and LGBTQ people of colour.

How To Apply

How To Apply

1. Download the PDF Position Description in the “How can I find out more details and apply?” section of the vacancy listing you wish to apply for – and ensure you meet the Selection Criteria for the role.
2. Create a Cover Letter (as a PDF or MS Word file) addressing how you meet the Selection Criteria outlined in the Position Description. Ensure that you outline how your skills and experience relate to the requirements of the role and how you’d use them to excel in this job, and how the role aligns with your Personal Values and Interests. You should use statements with examples that clearly demonstrate your competency against each of the Selection Criteria.
3. Update your Resume / CV (as a PDF or MS Word file) with the latest information, certifications, and employment history. Ensure that you outline your Current and Previous Employment and Training. Be sure to include your:
   • Name, Contact Details and preferred Pronouns
   • Education History and Major / Minor Study Fields
   • Qualifications achieved, Honours and Publications
   • Paid Work Experience, Internships, and Volunteer work
4. Click the link to the ACON Employment Application Form in the “How can I find out more details and apply?” section of the vacancy listing you wish to apply for, and ensure that you complete all details where requested; including attaching your:
   • Cover Letter
   • Resume

Application Checklist

Application Checklist

Before you submit your application, ensure you have:

• Completed the online ACON Employment Application Form specific to the role you’re applying for – ensuring that all questions have been answered.
• Attached your Cover Letter document within the online form (as a PDF or MS Word file) outlining how you meet each of the Selection Criteria – as outlined in the Position Description.
• Attached your Resume / CV document within the online form (as a PDF or MS Word file) with all your employment and training information, along with your qualifications and certifications.
• Click the “Submit form” button.

Downloads

Downloads

ACON Enterprise Agreement

ACON Impact Strategy 2025-2030

How Does Recruitment Work at ACON?

There are five main steps in the process:

1) Application

ACON receives your application pack. You will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your documents.

2) Shortlisting

A selection panel of 2-4 qualified persons will review all the applications and offer interviews to those applicants whose applications best address the requirements of the position.

3) Interview

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be contacted by the Recruiting Manager and invited to an interview. Your interview will take the form of a question-and-answer session. At your interview, you will be met be a panel of current ACON staff members who will have read your application and are eager to learn more about you and how you can apply your skills and experiences to our work. While we understand interviews can be nerve-racking, we aim to make our interview processes as transparent and comfortable as possible. We encourage you to wear what you feel comfortable in and let us know if you require any workplace adjustments. The interview is also an opportunity for you to ask us questions.

4) Offer

The decision to make you an offer is based on your written application, your interview, and successful Referee Checks, Criminal Record Checks, Proof of Vaccination and Working with Children Checks (if applicable).

5) Acceptance and Commencement

Once a start date has been agreed, you will receive a commencement pack from the People and Culture team including your contract and other documents (E.g., ACON Code of Conduct, Tax Declaration, Bank Deposit Form, Superannuation Choice Form, etc.). Once these are returned to the People and Culture team, you are ready to start work on your agreed date.

How long does it take to hear back on my application?

If you submitted your application at acon.org.au you will receive immediate acknowledgement and information regarding the date by which all successful applicants will be notified if they have progressed to the next stage of the recruitment process.

If you are successful in gaining an interview, the Recruiting Manager will contact you to arrange a suitable date and time for interview. If you are not selected for an interview, you will not receive any further notifications regarding your application for this role. We appreciate the time you took to respond to our advertisement, and for your interest in ACON, and encourage you to apply for future roles that are advertised that fit your skills and experience.