First Nations Community Health Promotion Intern

Be part of a program that drives change and opens doors for women in the workforce through a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters growth, confidence, and career pathways.

About Proud & Ready:

ACON’s Proud & Ready Internship Program provides a paid, structured, entry-level internship centring real-world experience, mentorship and industry connections. Through applied engagement with ACON’s core business of creating opportunities for people in our communities to live their healthiest lives, you will build confidence and job readiness for a meaningful career in the health and community sector.

Interns will receive individual mentoring, support and training while collaboratively assisting with the development and delivery of health promotion initiatives. You can expect to undertake and engage with research on community health issues, provide event planning and delivery support, assist with digital communication design and build connections through stakeholder engagement. You will have the opportunity to contribute to ACON’s advocacy efforts, assist in online and face-to-face outreach, and provide administrative support to ensure the smooth implementation of programs.

You will receive mentoring, supervision and training that aligns with your career goals and provides personalised guidance and industry insights. The program is structured to ensure regular peer networking and collaboration and a supportive learning environment that builds pathways to sustainable employment within the health and community sector.

This six-month, part-time internship actively welcomes and values the strengths, skills, and insights of LGBTQ+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women in regional NSW, and young women, who can demonstrate they have experienced barriers to entering or re-entering the workforce.

We recognise that people bring a wealth of lived experience shaped by culture, community, caring roles, and diverse educational journeys. We particularly encourage applications from individuals who have navigated non-linear or interrupted pathways into work or education and those whose opportunities may have been impacted by structural or systemic inequities. We view embodied community knowledge, cultural perspectives, and care responsibilities as valuable contributions to this role. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, and welcome neurodivergent people and people with disability. Please note that this role does not offer visa sponsorship.

ACON’s Proud & Ready Internships are funded by Women NSW and their Return to Work Pathways Program (RTWPP). This funding supports women who are experiencing complex and persistent barriers to employment to enter or re-enter the workforce. The RTWPP delivers on NSW Government priorities including the NSW Women’s Strategy 2023-2026.

About the First Nations Community Health Promotion Internship

The First Nations Community Health Promotion Intern will work with ACON’s First Nations Health Project and play a vital role in supporting the development and delivery of culturally responsive programs and services for Aboriginal communities. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in health promotion, with a focus on improving the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples.

In this role, you will assist with a range of initiatives, including digital communications, health promotion outreach, and community events. You will also contribute to key events such as the First Nations float at the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, where you will develop valuable skills in planning, implementing, and evaluating outreach activities, as well as collaborating with the First Nations Health Project team to ensure culturally safe and effective service delivery.

This position is ideal for someone passionate about Aboriginal health and looking to build a career in health promotion, community engagement, or public health.

This role has been designed to provide culturally specific services. Lived experience or cultural knowledge is essential for effective service delivery.

Who are we looking for?

We’re seeking passionate, motivated individuals who are eager to develop their skills and gain hands-on experience in community health. The ideal candidate is curious, proactive, and committed to making a positive impact. You should have a strong interest in health promotion, advocacy, or community development, and be keen to work in a collaborative, supportive environment. No prior experience is necessary—just a willingness to learn, contribute, and grow in a program designed to elevate your career prospects.

What else can we tell you?

ACON provides a diverse, nurturing, and fun workplace. ACON’s employees and volunteers are at the heart of everything we do and working at ACON would see you join a community of passionate people who 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:

• 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:                 $52,303 pa FTE (Gross Salary, PLUS Superannuation and Leave Loading) [$28.7379 / hr + Super + LL]

Locations:           ACON’s Gadigal land / Surry Hills Office, and off-site outreach locations as required.

Hours:                 Part Time (28 hrs / fortnight) on a 6-month fixed term contract. Days and times of work may be negotiable.

We offer flexible working arrangements and a generous array of 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 do I apply?

You must complete ACON’s Employment Application Form – attaching:

1. Your Cover Letter (max. 2 pages) or Short Video (max. 3 minutes), outlining:

• Your preferred Internship(s) +
• How the Internship(s) aligns with your Personal Values and Interests +
• How the Internship(s) aligns with the Skills and Experience listed in the Essential Selection Criteria.

Applicants are welcome to submit a Video instead of a Cover Letter for the purposes of accessibility. This option supports those who may find verbal expression more effective than written formats. If submitting a video: Please use MP4 (.mp4) or MOV (.mov) and keep the file size under 25MB if possible.

2. Your Resume (max. 2 pages), outlining current and previous employment and education. Be sure to include your:

• Name, Contact Details and preferred Pronouns.
• Education History and Formal Qualifications achieved , Major / Minor Study Fields, Honours and Publications.
• Work Experience including Paid Jobs, Internships, and Volunteer work.

Applications Close: Sunday 16 November 2025

More information and support:

POSITION DESCRIPTION

For more information on the role or for support with submitting an application, please contact the Proud and Ready team via email at proudready@acon.org.au.

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.

Project Support Officer – First Nations Health Programs

Ever wondered how to use your skills to improve LGBTQ+SB Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people’s health outcomes?

• We are on the lookout for an enthusiastic and motivated person to help support the development, delivery and evaluation of health promotion programs and community initiatives for LGBTQ+ Sistergirl and Brotherboy Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
• Working in collaboration with ACON’s Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence team to develop and facilitate workshops which are focused on technology facilitated abuse affecting LGBTQ+SB Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

What’s the First Nations Health Programs team you say?

The First Nations Health Programs team is a state funded team that develops, delivers, and evaluates a range of health promotion programs and initiatives for LGBTQ+SB Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, with a particular focus on sexual health and HIV prevention.

You will be working in collaboration with ACON’s Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence team to assist in the creation and facilitation of workshops on technology facilitated abuse, including for LGBTQ+SB Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Tell me more!

• This is a great opportunity to join the First Nations Health Programs team at ACON and support the life-saving work being done.
• You will be working as part of a supportive and committed team within ACON’s HIV and Sexual Health The HIV and Sexual Health Division aims to prevent the transmission of HIV, improve the quality of life for those living with HIV, and improve the sexual health outcomes of LGBTQ+SB people and priority population groups within the LGBTQ+SB communities.

Ok, so what’s the role?

This is a great opportunity if you are starting your career and are passionate about community engagement and improving health outcomes for LGBTQ+SB Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities.

You will:

• Assist in the development of the content of technology facilitated abuse workshops and resources tailored for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander LGBTQ+SB peoples and communities.
• Assist in the facilitation of these workshops and also the general technology facilitated abuse workshops, both in person and online.
• Support the project work being done in the First Nations Health Program team.

Who are we looking for?:

• Someone who is passionate about supporting the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+SB Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities.
• Please note that this is an identified position for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.

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:                 $68,846 FTE Gross per-annum, PLUS Superannuation and Leave Loading ($41,307.60 for 3 days / week).

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

Hours:                 Part-Time, 3 days / week (42 hrs / fortnight) on a 2-year fixed term contract with the possibility of extension.

We offer flexible working arrangements and a generous array of 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.

This is an identified position for an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person. We highly encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who are also from CALD backgrounds, with disabilities, and of all genders to apply We’d love someone who has experience already in this area but people at all levels of experience are absolutely welcome to apply.

For more information on the role, please contact Jade Parker, Acting Manager – Sexual, Domestic and Family Violence, via email at jparker.

All applications must include:

1. Your completed ACON Employment Application Form – with all the details filled in where requested;
2. Your Resume (max. 3 pages); and
3. Your Cover Letter with responses to these 3 questions (300-400 words):

DOWNLOAD: POSITION DESCRIPTION

Applications close: Sunday 16 November 2025

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 Outreach

We get out and about as much as possible to relevant community events, especially those where we can have contact with gay men, sistergirls and people with HIV. We aim wherever possible to partner with Aboriginal community organisations to do this. Our community outreach activities include:

• Gadigal Information Service’s Mardi Gras season Klub Koori
• Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Cooperative’s Mardi Gras season show
• World AIDS Day events at the Aboriginal Medical Service in Redfern

If you have an idea for outreach or would like to volunteer to help, please contact us here or via (02) 9206 2024.

HIV in the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Population Paper

In 2019 we launched a policy paper to highlight the challenges faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in relation to HIV and sexual health. Titled HIV in the NSW Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, the paper outlines key issues and sets out recommendations to improve health outcomes.

You can downloaded the paper here.

Performance and Creative Arts

First Australians and Mardi Gras

Each year we help organise the First Nations float in the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade. Participants gather at two community meetings to work together to design the parade entry, developing new skills and creating activities the whole community can enjoy.

This culminates in the Mardi Gras Parade, raising awareness and visibility of sexual and gender diversity in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

Planning for the performance and creative arts program begins in October. For more information or to get involved, please contact us: jstrang@acon.org.au | (02) 9206 2042

Creative Arts Workshops

From time to time we also offer activities such as music or photography as a way for community members to express themselves, tell stories, learn new skills, meet new people and celebrate culture.

If you have any suggestions for activities, or would like to register your interest, please contact us here or via (02) 9206 2024.

‘Us Mob and HIV’ Resource

Better to Know

‘Better to Know’ is a sexual health website for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including information on STIs, the ability to search for local clinics and AMSs for testing, a partner notification service and a testing reminder service.

The site has been produced by the Anwernekenhe National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS Alliance and the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations.

Access the site here

ACON Reconciliation Action Plans

ACON is proud to continue walking the national reconciliation journey with the release of the second iteration of its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

The Innovate RAP 2023-2025 adds to our organisation’s ongoing commitment to ensuring First Nations people of diverse genders and sexualities can live their healthiest lives, as well as celebrate the longest living culture on Earth, acknowledge history, build closer relationships, and to improve health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The development of the second Innovate RAP was overseen by ACON’s Reconciliation Working Group, the organisation’s internal Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory committee made up of staff and community representatives.

Access a public copy of ACON’s Innovate RAP 2023-2025 as a PDF here.

ACON’s Innovate RAP 2023-2025 artwork was created by Wiradjuri and Birpai man Wayde Clarke, and is titled ‘Rainbow Pride, Rainbow Strong’.

ACON launched its first RAP in 2018, committing ACON to create a strategic, collaborative, and whole-of-organisation approach to its work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Across each of ACON’s RAPs, the organisation has worked with Reconciliation Australia to develop a formal framework to ensure its work supports the national reconciliation movement.

With the implementation of its second Innovate RAP, ACON will continue to foster a more strategic, collaborative and whole of organisation approach to our work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

If you have any feedback or would like to join the RAP Working Group, please fill out this short form or contact RAP@acon.org.au

ACON acknowledges and pays respects to the traditional custodians of all the lands on which we work. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land.

Keep updated with our RAP e-news. Sign up here:

ACON’s Statement on its First Nations Listening and Truth Telling Project and Our Pathway Forward Following the Referendum

ACON has released a statement announcing the beginning of its First Nations Listening and Truth Telling Project as a pathway forward, towards reconciliation, following the outcome of the referendum on a Voice to parliament for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.  

This project is designed to instil a culture of meaningful listening within our organisation, in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities feel their voices are being heard, and that their needs are being prioritised. 

ACON will be taking time to meaningfully consider our role in the process of reconciliation, and the actions we need to take, to further this objective. We know that reconciliation can only proceed when we are ready to accept the truth of our history. Our First Nations Listening and Truth Telling Project will help us to clearly identify ACON’s ongoing role working alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of diverse sexualities and genders to achieve better health outcomes for these communities. 

Download our full statement here.

ACON’s approach to the referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice

ACON has released its approach to the referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

This approach is informed by consultations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of ACON’s Reconciliation Action Plan working group and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ACON staff, and is guided by our firm belief in First Nations’ self-determination and that First Nations people’s voices and truths should inform all Australian policy that affects them.

The approach outlines our commitments to First Nations LGBTQ+ communities, now, and ongoing after the referendum. 

Download the Approach document here

Pride in Diversity Report: LGBTQASB+ Mob and Work

First Nations LGBTQA+ people, sistergirls and brotherboys, are critical parts of our community at large. Their contribution to social justice, culture, social and family life is undeniable and significant. All of this is work.

There has, however, been limited research attention given to LGBTQASB+ mob’s contribution to and experience within the formal paid workforce. Building this knowledge is critical. Access to safe and just workplaces contributes directly to how LGBTQSB+1 mob survive and sustain themselves, their families and their communities.

Two large surveys have measured equity in workplaces for LGBTQA+ and Indigenous communities – the Jumbunna Institute and Diversity Council of Australia’s Gari Yala survey (of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at work) and Pride in Diversity’s Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) Employee Survey. The gap in the data risks misunderstandings and inattention to how First Nations LGBTQASB+ people experience the formal paid workforce. It also risks how the employment community approaches them – from union campaigns and bargaining, to workplace supports, to initiatives promoting diversity, equity and justice within the formal paid workforce. It is not enough that workplaces understand the experiences of LGBTQA+ people and First Nations people separately.

This project came from discussions between ACON’s Pride in Diversity and the Indigenous People and Work Hub at the UTS Jumbunna Institute (Research), led by Professor Nareen Young and was then lead and executed by First Nations LGBTQASB+ mob. We note that it addresses long-held discussions within our community about the safety of workplaces and the material living conditions of LGBTQASB+ mob.

Download the full publication here.