Western Queensland Peer and Lived-Living (Peer) Experience Workforce Consultation

Western Queensland Primary Health Network is developing its next Mental Health Suicide Prevention and Alcohol and Other Drug (MHSPAOD) Joint Regional Plan and seeks the knowledge Lived-Living Experience (Peer) Workers to directly inform regional priorities.

We recognise that there is currently no complete map of the peer and lived experience workforce across Western Queensland. Workers may be employed under many different position titles, work across different sectors, undertake informal or voluntary roles, or use lived experience in their work without it being formally recognised.

This expression of interest is therefore both an invitation to participate and an opportunity to better understand where the workforce exists, what it looks like and what workers need.

We would like to hear from people working from lived and living experience across mental health, suicide prevention, alcohol and other drugs, domestic and family violence, eating disorders, housing and homelessness, disability, family and carer support, youth services, community-controlled organisations and related areas.

You do not need to have “peer worker” in your job title. You may be employed, contracted, casual, volunteering, between roles or previously employed in the workforce.

The consultation will explore:

where peer and lived experience work is occurring
the types of roles people undertake
what is working well
workforce gaps and unmet needs
isolation, supervision and opportunities for peer connection
cultural and organisational safety
role clarity, recognition and career pathways
what is needed to build and sustain the workforce across rural and remote communities

Participation is voluntary. Individual responses will not be provided to employers without permission. Participants will be paid for their time where participation occurs outside their paid employment.

For further information or to dsicuss, please do not hesitate to contact Katie Shields (Lived and Living Experience Coordinator, WQPHN) at katie.shields@wqphn.com.au

1. About the person

Full Name *

Preferred Pronouns

Email Address *

Phone Number *

How would you prefer we contact you? *

Town or community: *

What region or community are you connected to? *

2. Connection to peer and lived experience work

Which best describes your connection to the workforce? *

I currently work in a designated peer or lived experience role I work in a role that draws on lived or living experience I am a consumer or carer representative I undertake voluntary or informal peer work I previously worked in a peer or lived experience role I am currently between roles Something else

What is your role title?

Which lived experience perspective informs your work?

Which communities or population groups does your work primarily support?

3. Interest in the Joint Regional Plan

Why are you interested in contributing to the Joint Regional Plan consultation? A few sentences are enough.

What knowledge, experience or perspective would you bring?

What are the main issues affecting peer and lived experience work in your region?

Where could peer workers or lived experience roles make the greatest difference?

4. Participation needs

Are you interested in attending a consultation workshop on 25 November 2026?

Yes - onlineNo Maybe

Are there any access, cultural safety, privacy or participation needs we should consider?

If selected, will you participate:

As part of my paid work Outside my paid work As a volunteer Unsure

Are there peer workers, organisations or networks in your region that we may not yet have reached?Providing names or contact information is optional. Please only provide another person’s contact details if you have their permission.

Would you like to hear about future WQPHN peer and lived experience workforce activities?

YesNo

5. Privacy and consent

Your privacy

All responses are handled in line with Australian Privacy Laws.
Should you choose not to provide the information requested, we may not be able to accurately provide our services. You can request a copy, update your details or change your mind at any time and opt-out from providing this information.
Our privacy statement sets out how we collect, use, store and disclose information. By responding with your updated information, you consent to WQPHN using and disclosing this information with essential partner organisations and funders for planning, commissioning, practice support and engagement purposes.