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 Workplace Standards Lead position is responsible for leading the co-design of National Workplace Safety Standards, a National Training Plan, and Career Pathway Resources that strengthen safe, sustainable, and clearly defined employment pathways for mental health and suicide prevention peer workers.
The role will conduct research, review evidence, and draws on national and international models relating to workplace standards, workforce capability, training, and peer workforce sustainability. Working collaboratively with peer workers, employers, training providers, academics, and sector partners, the role ensures all workforce development initiatives are practical, evidence‑informed, culturally safe, and grounded in lived experience values.
The role also leads broad national consultation and co‑design processes to ensure peer workers, employers, and stakeholders are meaningfully engaged in shaping workforce standards, training priorities, and career development resources.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the development of nationally consistent and lived experience‑informed approaches to peer workforce safety, professional development, and sustainable employment pathways across the mental health and suicide prevention sectors.
- Lead the co‑design and development of National Peer Workforce Safety Standards, a National Training Plan, and Career Pathway Resources.
- Research, review, and collate existing national and international evidence, frameworks, standards, and models relating to peer workforce safety, training, workforce capability, career development, and workplace standards.
- Lead engagement and stakeholder management with peer workers, employers, training providers, academics, and other key stakeholders.
- Facilitate national consultation and co‑design activities to inform the development of workforce standards, training frameworks, and career pathway resources.
- Establish and coordinate the Employer and Training Provider Liaison Group, including peer work employers, peer worker peak bodies, and training providers.
- Consult and collaborate with the Jurisdictional Working Group in the development and refinement of key project deliverables.
Candidate Profile
This is a rare opportunity to be part of a small team of change makers. The ideal candidate will bring:
- An understanding of peer work values, recovery‑oriented and trauma‑informed practice
- Comfort working in ambiguity and start‑up environments
- Experience in WHS, Employment Relations/Industrial Relations, is essential and experience in mental health, community services, advocacy, membership organisations or peak bodies is highly regarded[AA1] .
- Tertiary qualifications in a relevant field (project work, ER/IR, 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 workforce development initiatives, policy development, consultation processes, or sector reform activities relating to peer work.
- Ability to work collaboratively within a national team environment and contribute to the delivery of strategic projects, co-design activities, and organisational objectives.
- Demonstrated ability to coordinate and deliver research, consultation, co‑design, or project activities while managing competing priorities.
- 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.
