About Australian Association of Peer Workers (AAPW)
The Australian Association of Peer Workers (AAPW) is a peer-led professional membership body for mental health and suicide prevention peer workers. It is a national entity, auspiced by the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance (the Alliance), in partnership with the Indigenous Australian Lived Experience Centre and Mental Health Carers Australia.
A membership body dedicated to strengthening, supporting and advocating for the mental health and suicide prevention peer workforce across Australia.
The Role
The Practice Standards Lead position is the first position of its kind in Australia’s peer workforce landscape. You will lead the creation of the foundational practice frameworks that will shape the future of mental health and suicide prevention peer work nationwide.
In this role, you will drive the co‑design of the National Peer Work Scope of Practice, Peer Work Role Definitions, and a National Supervision Framework, setting the standards that will define consistency, integrity, and quality across the peer workforce for years to come. You’ll draw on national and international evidence, lived experience values, and deep collaboration with peer workers, consumers, carers, employers, academics, and sector leaders.
You will also lead broad national consultation and co‑design processes, ensuring the voices of consumers, carers, and peer workers are at the centre of every decision. This is a rare opportunity to build something from the ground up and leave a lasting legacy for the peer workforce across Australia.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the co‑design and development of national peer work practice frameworks, role definitions, and supervision standards.
- Research and synthesise national and international evidence, models, and best practice relating to peer work and supervision.
- Build strong relationships and lead engagement with peer workers, consumers, carers, employers, academics, and sector partners.
- Establish and coordinate the Jurisdictional Working Group with state and territory peak bodies.
- Provide strategic advice on peer work practice, supervision standards, and workforce advocacy priorities.
- Offer guidance, engagement, and support to AAPW members as the Association’s practice lead
Essential Criteria
- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field (communications, peer work, community development, social science, public health, public policy) and/or equivalent experience.
- Minimum five years’ experience in a designated Lived Experience role (peer work, leadership, policy, project, academic, First Nations, consumer, carer, or suicide prevention roles).
- Experience contributing to practice development, workforce development, policy work, consultations, or sector reform relating to peer work.
- Strong research, analytical, and written communication skills, including reviewing and synthesising evidence, frameworks, standards, or policy documents.
- Experience preparing reports, consultation papers, practice resources, policy submissions, position statements, or stakeholder communications.
- Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly to diverse audiences, including peer workers, employers, academics, and sector partners.
- Experience facilitating workshops, consultations, co‑design sessions, or engagement activities in virtual and in‑person settings.
- Demonstrated ability to build respectful, effective relationships with peer workers, consumers, carers, employers, academics, training providers, and other stakeholders.
- Experience contributing to the planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of practice frameworks, supervision standards, workforce resources, or policy initiatives.
- The role is national in scope and operates as a remote / virtual workplace . Willingness and ability to undertake regular interstate travel is essential.
- Reliable internet connection and work from home resources are essential.
Designated Lived Experience Role
We are seeking someone who brings personal or carer lived experience of mental health challenges, and recovery, and/or a lived experience of suicidality or suicide, and who has drawn on that experience in meaningful ways to support others, lead change, and influence systems.
This requirement is a genuine occupational requirement under relevant anti-discrimination legislation across Australia, including section 66(s)(c) of the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 (WA).
If you are unsure whether your experience aligns with this requirement, we encourage you to reach out for a confidential conversation. We are committed to a safe, inclusive and respectful recruitment process.
Beaumont People uses a trauma-informed recruitment approach. Applicants will not be asked to disclose personal details of their experiences. A simple self-declaration will be used to confirm eligibility, with optional opportunities to reflect on how lived experience informs leadership practice.
Application Process
To be considered for this position please apply now with your resume and submit your Expression of Interest via the online EOI https://forms.office.com/r/SckjYKUWYU – Copy and paste this link into the browser to access and fill out form.
Join us in making a difference and be part of AAPW. To be considered for this position please apply now with your resume. If you have any further questions, please contact Holly at holly.mccann@beaumontpeople.com.au
Beaumont People is exclusively partnering with Common AAPW on this recruitment, so please send all enquiries to the above email. There is no closing date for this role, please apply as soon as possible as all applications will be reviewed as they are received.
At Beaumont People, we are committed to creating a recruitment experience where people feel welcomed, respected, and supported. We value diverse perspectives and life experiences, and we focus on what people can bring, not where they come from or how their journey has unfolded.
We are especially mindful of the barriers faced by people from marginalised or underrepresented communities and are intentional about creating fair, accessible, and inclusive processes that support genuine participation.
We encourage open conversations about support needs. If adjustments or accommodations would help you engage fully in the application or assessment process, we are very happy to discuss what might be helpful.
