Consultant Psychiatrist

Are you looking for an opportunity to improve mental healthcare in one of Australia’s most unique and vibrant regions?

WA Country Health Service is seeking a Consultant Psychiatrist to join the Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service, based at Broome Mental Health Unit.

This is a Permanent Full Time or Fixed Term Full Time at 80 hours per fortnight, with the possibility of extension(s) and/or permanency.

We currently have 1 FTE available.

About the Role

The Consultant Psychiatrist role is crucial in enabling the Broome Mental Health Unit (BMHU) to deliver comprehensive mental health services across the Kimberley and Pilbara regions.

You’ll lead a multidisciplinary team, including psychiatry registrars, an intern, Aboriginal Liaison Officers, nurses and allied health professionals. You’ll also provide clinical leadership for the Psychiatry Liaison Nurse Service, ensuring comprehensive daily reviews for emergency department mental health presentations and those with acute mental health problems in the general hospital.

Mentorship and supervision of junior medical staff will be central to your role, fostering their growth while maintaining high standards of care. You’ll also ensure compliance with the Western Australian Mental Health Act (2014), with a focus on clinical leadership and service excellence.

This role involves serving a patient population where 80-90% are Aboriginal, reflecting the unique demographics of the Kimberley region. The focus is on delivering culturally sensitive care, working closely with Aboriginal Liaison Officers to ensure care aligns with cultural values and beliefs. This roles offers an opportunity to develop and utilise a deeper understanding of mental health within Aboriginal communities and offers exposure to a broad range of clinical presentations, including first-episode psychosis, mood disorders, and substance use disorders.

This is a unique opportunity for you to shape the future of mental healthcare in the Kimberley and make a lasting impact in this culturally rich and diverse region.

Want to hear more? Check out the What’s great about working for WACHS Kimberley video!

About the Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service

The Kimberley Mental Health and Drug Service provides multidisciplinary assessment, treatment, and support for people with moderate to severe mental health and substance use disorders. Our team delivers collaborative, recovery-oriented services to those of all ages, cultures, and locations in the region.

Located on the Broome Hospital Campus, the Broome Mental Health Unit, Mabu Liyan—meaning "a place of good spirit"—is a 13-bed acute psychiatric facility serving the Kimberley and Pilbara regions. Supported by a dedicated Aboriginal Mental Health team, Mabu Liyan fosters culturally safe care and works closely with community mental health services to ensure continuity of care.

Our Mental Health Liaison team also provides seven-day consultation and liaison services to hospitals across the Kimberley and Pilbara, supporting coordinated regional mental health care.

About the Region

The Kimberley is Western Australia's northernmost region, bordered by the Pilbara region to the south and the Northern Territory to the east. Home to around 40,000 people, with approximately 50% identifying as Aboriginal, the region is rich in cultural diversity and experiences.

The West Kimberley is renowned for its dramatic landscapes, including towering cliffs, rocky headlands, and pristine waterways. With easy access to the Fitzroy River and King Sound, residents and visitors can enjoy fishing, crabbing, and boating in the region's clear, untouched waters. On weekends, you might explore the rugged islands of the nearby archipelago or camp at Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek, where you can immerse yourself in the natural beauty and adventure that the Kimberley has to offer.

What's in it for you

• Generous leave entitlements - up to 4 weeks annual leave, 3 weeks professional development leave, 10 days sick leave, plus leave for compassionate or cultural reasons.
• We value and reward long service:
  • Long Service Leave - 13 weeks of leave after 10 years of service.
  • Overseas PDL - 5 weeks of additional leave after 5 years of service for overseas professional development.
  • Northwest Gratuity Payment
    • Lump sum payment equivalent of 12 weeks salary after 3 years, approximately $38,596*.
    • After each subsequent year a payment of 4 weeks salaried, approximately $12,865*.
• Location based allowances which may include:
  • Additional Northwest paid leave.
  • District Allowance - regional specific.
  • Annual travel subsidy (ALTC).
  • Air-conditioning subsidy allowance.
  • Subsidised rental accommodation or Government Housing.
• Increase your take home pay by utilising generous salary packaging benefits:
  • Up to $9,010 on a range of benefits such as mortgage, your rent or other everyday living expenses.
  • Up to $2,650 on a meal entertainment card for dining experiences.
  • Access to novated leasing for a personal vehicle and associated expenses.
• Reimbursement for relocation costs for overseas or interstate applicants.
• Range of employee-sponsored work visas including Permanent Residency (conditions apply).
• As a region resident, you might be entitled to capped flight pricing between Perth and the region.

*Gratuity Payment calculations are based on a Consultant Year 1 – Arrangement B salary. Refer to page 88, Schedule 3, Clause 6 for more information.

Contact Information

Want more information about this role? Reach out to Dr Huw Raggatt – Clinical Director Mental Health Services via email: Stephen.Raggatt@health.wa.gov.au or phone: 08 9194 2222

Application Process

If you encounter any difficulties while applying online, please contact medcareerswa@health.wa.gov.au.

To complete the application, please apply via MedCareersWA – Ref 492592 and submit the following documents:

• A statement addressing each of the Work-Related Criteria found in the attached Job Description Form and addressing how you meet the position requirements.
• A detailed Curriculum Vitae which summarises your experience and how you meet the position requirements.
• Contact details for two work related referees (one of your referees must be a current supervisor or manager).

Other Conditions

We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce where every employee feels valued and empowered. We believe that a diverse team brings unique perspectives and drives innovation to meet our community’s needs. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and experiences to join us in shaping a more equitable future and as a measure to achieve equality, under sections 51, 66R and 66ZP of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984, encourage applications from people living with a disability, Aboriginal people, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, women and youth (24 years of age and under).

WA Health engages staff in positions of trust and responsibility. WA Health policies require applicants to undertake criminal records screening and integrity checking as part of the appointment process. Referees may also be asked to comment on an applicant’s integrity and past demonstration of ethical behaviour.

This vacancy is subject to a Western Australian Working with Children (WWC) Check. For further information please refer to the WWC website at: https://workingwithchildren.wa.gov.au

Please note this recruitment process requires completion of satisfactory Pre-Employment Health Assessment (PEHA).  Any offer of employment with WA Country Health Service (WACHS) is conditional on satisfactory PEHA to ensure you can perform the inherent requirements of the position. An unsatisfactory PEHA will result in the offer of employment being withdrawn.  Please see the attached WACHS PEHA Policy for further information.

Whilst this selection process will initially be used to fill the above vacancy, it may also be used to fill other "similar" vacancies throughout the health service. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised vacancy, then the next most suitable applicant may also be selected from this process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from when the authorised delegate endorses the recruitment decision.

Late or emailed applications will not be accepted.