Elevating Lived Experience Expertise: A Framework for the NSW Health Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Peer (Lived Experience) Workforce (2025) was launched on 16 October 2025 by The Hon. Rose Jackson, MLC, Minister for Mental Health.
The Framework is intended for use by NSW Health Local Health Districts, Specialty Health Networks and the Ministry of Health. It provides clear guidance to support, develop and grow the Peer Workforce across NSW Health mental health and suicide prevention services.
It reflects a commitment to recovery-oriented care and acknowledges the vital role of the Peer Workforce. Peer workers draw upon their personal lived experience of mental health challenges or emotional distress, personal recovery, or experience of suicidal crisis, to provide authentic, empathetic support to others on their recovery journey.
The Framework outlines the discipline-specific values and principles of peer work, scope of practice, supervision, training and workforce development strategies.
The NSW Ministry of Health thanks and acknowledges the Expert Reference Group who gave their time and expertise to support development of the Framework and all those who contributed to the consultation process.