AOD Worker jobs in Australia

AOD workers in Australia work across a spectrum of services — from needle and syringe programs and harm reduction outreach to residential withdrawal management, therapeutic communities, and community-based counselling. The work is values-based, requiring a non-judgmental approach and understanding of the complex relationship between substance use and mental health.

Comorbidity between substance use and mental illness (often called 'dual diagnosis' or 'co-occurring disorders') is common, meaning AOD workers frequently support people with complex mental health presentations alongside their substance use. Skills in motivational interviewing, brief intervention, and trauma-informed care are widely used.

The sector includes government health services, non-government organisations, Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs), and community legal services. Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs is the standard entry qualification, though many workers hold higher qualifications.