Windana
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    Windana
    (26 reviews)
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    Company Reviews

    Working at Windana

    3.126 ratings in total
    5
    10
    4
    3
    3
    1
    2
    3
    1
    9
    96%
    Rate salary as high or average
    50%
    Employees recommend this employer to friends

    What’s it like working at Windana?

    AI summary of recent reviews
    Employees find the work at Windana deeply rewarding, particularly working with clients and residents who demonstrate remarkable strength and commitment. Staff appreciate the supportive team culture, opportunities for professional growth, and the values-driven approach that allows them to make a meaningful difference in people's lives. The work offers both personal fulfilment and professional development in a compassionate environment.

    However, there are some areas for development, including management practices and leadership approaches, with feedback about communication and transparency. The organisation has experienced periods of change, including a merger, which required adjustment. Some staff noted that budget constraints can impact resources, and improved consistency in processes across teams would enhance service delivery.
    Work/Life balance
    2.9(25 ratings)
    Career development
    2.9(25 ratings)
    Benefits & perks
    2.9(25 ratings)
    Management
    2.8(25 ratings)
    Working environment
    3.0(25 ratings)
    Diversity & equal opportunity
    3.2(25 ratings)
    Ratings for Windana are shared as-is from employees in line with our community guidelines

    Reviews

    Showing 26 reviews sorted by most recent
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    most recent
    1.0
    Drug and Alcohol Clinician
    Apr 2026
    Melbourne VIC 300010 to 11 years in the role, former employee
    Terrible. I wouldnt send my dog to work there.
    The good thingsThe client work. Some good clinicians.
    The challengesExtremely poor management from top to bottom. Teams are weak as professional hardworking staff have been driven out by insecure team leaders. Safety issues rife. Constantly changing systems and high staff turnover. Terrible practice and laziness from some clinicians just left unchallenged. I wouldn't recommend working there, using it as a client, or funding it tbh.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Manager
    Apr 2026
    Maryknoll VIC 38121 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    Traumatising and high recommend never to work in this workplace.
    The good thingsThe residents are amazing. They show so much strength and commitment. It’s an amazing job to watch them grow
    The challengesThe staff The higher management Communication (lack of) Support (lack of)
    2.0
    Finance team
    Sep 2025
    St Kilda VIC 31821 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Poor leadership, working in finance team was unbearable
    The good thingsWhat the organisation does for clients
    The challengesHead office management and finance team
    2.0
    Support Worker
    Aug 2025
    Maryknoll VIC 38122 to 3 years in the role, current employee
    Overworked & under appreciated
    The good thingsAmazing residents and the setting on a 40 acre farm.
    The challengesThe fact we were asked to only put positive comments so we can try and recruit staff Depending on if you are a favourite by management depends how you are treated (this is for staff & residents) Glorified Taxi Driver - minimal contact with residents as per our job description Staff morale - people don't like coming to work
    2 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Support Worker
    Aug 2025
    Nar Nar Goon North VIC 38123 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    While working with Windana, we have moved with a solution focused mindset.
    The good thingsI enjoy being challenged every day, the spontaneous fun we have with clients and staff alike. The compassion, empathy, structure given nature of the environment and Values driven aspect is what I enjoy.
    The challengesI do not like if not all staff are on the same page when it comes to processes, we need this for efficiency and effective delivery of all aspects of the program.
    5.0
    Team Leader Maintenance and oks
    Aug 2025
    Maryknoll VIC 3812Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Feel comfortable in my role and well supported by peers and residents.
    The good thingsFeeling supported, working as a community and no 2 days the same.
    The challengesThere's nothing yet I don't like.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Drug and Alcohol Support Worker
    Jul 2025
    Ballarat VIC 3350Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    head office will put their needs ahead of yours.
    The good thingsclients are great to work with. great team and manager
    The challengeshead office continually making changes to hours, lack of job security
    5.0
    CRC
    Jun 2025
    Geelong VIC 32202 to 3 years in the role, former employee
    Excellent work life balance If you're someone who thrives in a values-based workplace and wants to make a tangible difference, Windana offers a space to contribute, grow, and thrive. I have had the opportunities to experience professional growth within the team and have loved my experience with working with the team.
    4.0
    Manager
    Apr 2025
    St Kilda VIC 3182Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    Fantastic organisation to work for if you want to give back to the community
    The good thingsThe people and culture is the reason why I am still in my role at Windana.
    The challengesThe organisation when through a merger back in October 2023. It was challenging at the time. Now it is looking at growing.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    drug and alcohol peer worker
    Apr 2025
    Maryknoll VIC 3812Less than 1 year in the role, current employee
    one of the best working environments
    The good thingsi love the atmosphere, the support of staff and residents windana provides
    The challengeshavent come across any
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    AOD
    Mar 2025
    Maryknoll VIC 38121 to 2 years in the role, current employee
    A workplace that offers perfect balance of professional growth and personal fulfillment. It isn't work when you love what you do.
    The good thingsAwesome place to work, supportive staff and management. It's not just a job, you get to make a real impact to the lives of the people who reside in the AOD Therapeutic Community. A workplace that offers perfect balance of professional growth and personal fulfillment. I've found my dream job.
    The challengesI'm jet to find any.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Support Staff
    Feb 2025
    Maryknoll VIC 3812
    Once was a fantastic place, no anymore. Very sad to see it go from a place to respect to a laughing joke within the industry.
    The good thingsWorking with the residents who are their to change their lives is very rewarding.
    The challengesCurrent management have made the place nearly unworkable. Staff are treated with little to no respect. I would not want to refer my enemy to this place unless management is completely changed.
    2 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Manager
    Jan 2025
    St Kilda VIC 31823 to 4 years in the role, current employee
    Opportunities for personal growth
    The good thingsDedicated people working to improve outcomes for clients; lots of opportunities to drive your learning and growth
    The challengesThat funding sometimes falls short of what's needed
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Human Resources Manager
    Jan 2025
    St Kilda VIC 31821 to 2 years in the role, former employee
    Wonderful people, clear purpose - perfect for those willing to problem solve, learn and grow.
    The good thingsThe team, people willing to jump in and get the best outcomes for clients, the investment in learning and development, the opportunities to work with lots of different people.
    The challengesIt's tough work helping people in need and like most organisations in the sector, budgets are tight. The team work really creatively to make the most of this situation.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Organisational Development and Learning Manager
    Jan 2025
    St Kilda VIC 31825 to 6 years in the role, current employee
    A life-changing workplace experience that allows you to thrive, contribute, and grow!
    The good thingsWindana provides life-changing services to people in need, allowing me to make a positive impact on society while enabling my own personal growth, which has ultimately changed my life. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunities I've had at Windana, as well as for the support from my colleagues and manager. I would wholeheartedly recommend Windana to anyone who is looking to grow professionally while making a positive contribution to society.
    The challengesThere have been many changes to manage, but ultimately, they have been for the benefit of the organisation, clients, and staff. It's been a valuable learning experience.
    1 person found this helpful
    5.0
    Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
    Apr 2024
    St Kilda VIC 3182
    22 years in a challenging and rewarding role surrounded by wonderful people.
    The good things I have enjoyed the rewards of 22 years of working with clients to make various changes in themselves that enable them to live with the difficulties in their lives without substance use and the problems that can bring. The clients and staff are interesting, challenging, inspiring and often very funny. Windana has supported and enabled staff to work with people with very complex lives over many years.
    The challengesthis work requires being open to asking for help. in my experience there has always been people at Windana to provide support and advice when needed whether co-workers or management. teamwork is vital and is there.
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Support Worker
    Feb 2024
    Maryknoll VIC 38123 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Higher management unable to see the value in the residents and can only see the value in the dollar that they bring to the organisation
    The good thingsThe residents are wonderful people to work with
    The challengesThe Board and higher management have not concept as to the outcomes to the residents of the poor decisions they are making
    1 person found this helpful
    1.0
    Support Worker
    Aug 2023
    Dandenong VIC 3175
    Don’t bother applying for a role at Windana unless you want a statistic
    The good thingsOriginally this organisation was committed to its core values but is now more focused on the number of clients and the money that they bring in rather than actually assisting people
    The challengesNot a family friendly organisation - no flexibility. Only professional development offered is linked to their accreditation. No supervision. Organisation is too heavy with limited workers actually doing the core work on the ground
    4 people found this helpful
    1.0
    N/A
    Feb 2021
    A really terrible experience for me and I wouldn’t recommend this organisation to anyone. It’s a shame.
    The good thingsThe clients were amazing and it was fantastic to see people change and grow
    The challengesMy experience here was that management were unprofessional and secretive. There also seemed to be a reluctance to consider new, (evidence based) ways of doing things, blurred boundaries and terrible communication amongst staff.
    4 people found this helpful
    5.0
    Direct Care Worker
    May 2020
    3 to 4 years in the role, former employee
    Great place, great pople. CEO and some senior people get it.
    The good thingsWorking with awesome people who make a real difference. Being valued.
    The challengesMy manager is a good team leader and not much more.
    1 person found this helpful
    2.0
    Staff Member
    Mar 2020
    Has so much potential and yet they seem clueless as to how to harness it. It’s such a shame, seems like senior management lack proper quality leadership evident by the lack of business processes in place and lack of realistic expectations of what’s actual possible to achieve within timeframes/budget.
    The good thingsThe location and the potential to help vulnerable people.
    The challengesUnfortunately I encountered almost a complete lack of business processes or rules, no clear tangible direction and complete lack of proper leadership. They manage with a culture of blame rather than detracts them from actually achieving their goals. If only most of the executive treated their staff with the same respect they show the people they are trying the help I believe this place could be wonderful. So much wasted potential, very disheartening.
    5 people found this helpful
    1.0
    NA
    Sep 2019
    former employee
    It was horrible
    The good thingsThe residents were great
    The challengesManagement were unprofessional
    3 people found this helpful
    3.0
    Support Worker
    May 2019
    Learning experience
    The good thingsOther staff and clients
    The challengesManagement and communications
    2 people found this helpful
    1.0
    Manager
    Apr 2019
    My experience was not great and hopefully it won’t be the experience of others.
    The good thingsAmazing things happen here with clients
    The challengesLack of leadership, lack of transparency in decisions.
    2 people found this helpful
    4.0
    Support worker
    Feb 2016
    5 to 6 years in the role, former employee
    Beautiful location, overall experience positive, changing and growing
    The good thingsGreat people to work with, beautiful location, expanding, growing
    The challengesChanges sometimes slow, limited external training
    5.0
    Manager
    Sep 2015
    A great organization that is fair to clients and staff
    The good thingsGood support, fairness all round
    The challengesGovernment funding restrictions
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