Lived Experience (Peer) Workers – Mental Health Commission

A Guide to Development for Lived Experience (Peer) Workers

Why Training Matters

Lived Experience (Peer) work is a recognised discipline with its own values, principles, and professional practices. Training helps peer workers:

Build the knowledge and confidence to use lived experience safely and effectively.
Strengthen their ability to influence systems and services.
Develop resilience and sustainability in the workforce.
Contribute to better outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

Training should be:

Lived Experience–led – designed and delivered by people with lived experience to ensure integrity to peer values, practice and wisdom.
Inclusive and accessible – relevant across all designated roles, including consumer, family/significant other, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, and Alcohol and Other Drug (Peer) workforces. Training must also respond to the diverse perspectives of people with lived/living experience of suicide, disability, neurodivergence, culturally and linguistically diverse communities and LGBTIQA+SB identities.
Culturally responsive – especially for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peer workers. Training should align with Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) frameworks and developed with oversight from appropriate cultural governance.
Co-produced and system-focused – developed in equal partnership with those in specific Lived Experience roles and those in non-specific roles in an organisation, to support both individual peer workers and whole-of-organisation readiness.
Continuous and role-specific – not a one-off but embedded across the employee lifecycle with tailored opportunities for all staff, leaders, and managers to strengthen capability, address stigma, and support equity in practice.

Foundational Skills and Knowledge

Lived Experience (Peer) workers draw on their personal experiences, professional skills and training to create meaningful change. Building strong foundations in values, principles and practice ensures workers can support individuals, influence services, and strengthen communities.

Foundational Lived Experience skills and knowledge may include:

A strong understanding of how to use personal stories effectively and appropriately for the benefit of another person or system/service reform.
The ability to work in a value based, authentically lived experience informed, person directed manner, aligned with recovery and harm reduction principles.
Knowledge of the history of the Lived Experience (Peer) movement, and connection to networks in the WA context.
An understanding of Lived Experience (Peer) approaches and models, and the unique differences between mental health and alcohol and other drugs workforces and preferences.
Working within Lived Experience (Peer) principles and practices.

Core Capabilities of Peer Workers

As well as the foundational skills and knowledge, Lived Experience specific training builds on the individuals core capabilities by developing:

Peer-specific knowledge and practice – understanding peer principles and ways of working.
Relational skills – including deep listening, empathy and boundary setting.
Supporting others – using personal experience to walk alongside people in respectful and mutual ways.
Advocacy and teamwork – influencing change, representing peers and contributing to multidisciplinary teams.
Self-care and mutual support – recognising the importance of wellbeing and co-reflection.
Peer-led wellness approaches – using tools like Wellness Recovery Action Plan, Personal Medicine and Alternatives to Suicide.

Below is an infographic that outlines effective Lived Experience (Peer) work practice.

Effective Lived Experience (Peer) work practice

Training across Diversity

Training for Lived Experience workers should be led by those with Lived Experience, ensuring it reflects the core values and practices of the discipline. This recognises Lived Experience as a professional knowledge base, not just personal insight.

While there are shared elements across roles, distinct differences exist between Consumer, Family/Significant Other, and those in Aboriginal workforces, as well as between mental health and alcohol and other drugs. Training must be diverse, inclusive, and relevant to experiences across mental health, alcohol and other drugs and suicide.

For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander roles, training should consider the needs of the local community it is being delivered in, culturally grounded and aligned with Social and Emotional Wellbeing frameworks.

Training must also be accessible and inclusive for workers from diverse and intersecting communities, including culturally and linguistically diverse, disability, and LGBTIQA+SB groups. Resources like the Framework for Mental Health in Multicultural Australia can support culturally inclusive approaches.

Ideally, training should be delivered by Lived Experience workers from within each sector, recognising the unique contexts and challenges of mental health, alcohol and other drugs and suicide prevention.

Developing Skills for Peer Workers

Peer workers require ongoing training and development to strengthen their practice and sustain their growth in the workforce. A combination of accredited and non-accredited training opportunities is essential. Accredited training provides a formal foundation, while non-accredited and peer-led training reflects the values, principles, and innovation of the Lived Experience (Peer) discipline.

Training methods may include formal certification, experiential learning, workshops, and peer-led programs. Access to mentoring, supervision, and peer networks also plays a critical role in supporting skill development and reducing isolation. Within each training module, workers should have opportunities to build professional capability, strengthen relational skills, and connect with others in the workforce.

Lived Experience (Peer) Work Models, Approaches and Styles

A Lived Experience (Peer) worker brings the wisdom, knowledge and skills of their own lived experience, as well as collective lived experience views. Many Lived Experience (Peer) workers will have a certain approach or model to inform and guide their practice. It is not uncommon for Lived Experience (Peer) workers to have experienced the same model or approach in their own personal wellbeing journey.

Approaches and models are usually developed by peers, for peers, or in collaboration with clinicians. These may include:

These approaches demonstrate the breadth of practice across mental health, alcohol and other drugs, suicide prevention, across both consumer and family or significant other perspectives. They also reflect the innovation and adaptability of peer-led practice.

In addition to these models, most peer work is shaped by broader frameworks such as:

Trauma-informed Practice
Strengths-based Practice
Recovery- orientated Practice
Rights-based Approaches
Social Justice Approaches.

Accredited Training

There are now several accredited pathways available for people entering or building their careers in the Lived Experience (Peer) workforces. These qualifications and skill sets are designed to strengthen practice across mental health, alcohol and other drugs, suicide prevention.

Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work (CHC43515)
Introduced in 2012, this nationally recognised qualification is designed for individuals who have lived experience of mental health issues, either as a consumer or family/significant other (carer). This qualification prepares students to work in various mental health services, supporting peers and carers in their recovery journey. Whilst it is not specifically reflective of the alcohol and other drug space, there is review work underway at a national level which may consider the incorporation of learnings in this space.

The course includes 15 units, with more information available from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, or your local/preferred Registered Training Organisation. The course can be completed through face-to-face or online study, or through a traineeship pathway.

The Mental Health Commission, in partnership with Consumers of Mental Health WA (CoMHWA) and Registered Training Organisation North Metropolitan Tafe (RTO code 52786), offers an annual scholarship program to support Lived Experience students financially and practically to complete the course. Visit CoMHWA for more information.

Watch the short film ‘Together’ that follows Max Simensen’s journey into peer work – former student and now trainer, whose own lived experience and professional journey reflect the transformative power of peer work. Published by the Mental Health Coordinating Council, this short film celebrates the delivery of the Certificate IV course for over 10 years.

Skill Sets

CHCSS00103 Mental Health Peer Work Skill Set: Three foundational units drawn from the Certificate IV, designed for those beginning their careers or current workers seeking to upskill.
CHCSS00104 Peer Leadership Skill Set: Units focused on strengthening leadership capability within the Lived Experience (Peer) workforce.

Course in Mental Health Peer Navigation (11275NAT)
Delivered by the Mental Health Coordinating Council (RTO 91296), this course builds the knowledge and skills needed to support people to navigate the mental health system. It responds to growing demand for peer navigation and includes the unit NAT11275001 Navigate systems for mental health peer support and recovery. Learners develop tools to identify and respond to consumer priorities, reduce systemic barriers, and promote autonomy and choice.

Exploring Training Options for the Alcohol and Other Drugs Lived and Living Experience Workforce – Pilot Program
Also delivered by the Mental Health Coordinating Council (RTO 91296), in collaboration with the Network of Alcohol and other Drugs Agencies and the New South Wales Users and AIDS Association, this Pilot Program is funded by NSW Health to strengthen the Alcohol and Other Drugs Lived and Living Experience workforce. It responds to recommendations from the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Drug Ice, which called for growth of the Alcohol and Other Drugs peer workforce and the development of a dedicated workforce strategy.

The pilot contextualises units from the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work, enabling participants to complete three accredited units:

CHCPWK001 Apply peer work practices in the mental health sector
CHCPWK003 Apply lived experience in mental health peer work
CHCPWK004 Work effectively in consumer mental health peer work

Participants receive a Statement of Attainment for these units. While this pilot is NSW-based, some training may be available online to peers in Western Australia.

Alcohol and Other Drugs electives within the Certificate IV
Although there is not yet a dedicated Alcohol and Other Drugs Peer Work qualification, relevant electives can be selected by the delivering RTO within the Certificate IV. These include Work in an Alcohol and Other Drugs Context (CHCAOD001) and Provide Services to People with Co-existing Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Issues (CHCMHS005). Work is currently underway nationally to review and update the Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work and to expand accredited options tailored to the Alcohol and Other Drugs workforce.

Non-Accredited Training

Many community-managed organisations and peak bodies within WA offer non-accredited training developed specifically for Lived Experience (Peer) workers. Additionally, there is training available that is non-Lived Experience (Peer) specific but will develop skills and knowledge. These workshops and courses are delivered face to face and/or online. Below are a sample of currently available opportunities.

Introduction to Peer Work – Consumers of Mental Health WA (CoMHWA)
Mental Health Peer Worker Course – Rise Network
WRAP (Wellness and Recovery Action Planning) – Wellness Initiative
Consumer Representative Training – CoMHWA, Health Consumers Council (HCC)
Carer Representative Training – Carers WA
Alcohol and Other Drug Representative Training– Cyrenian House
Training to sustain Peer Support Groups – Alike (previously known as ConnectGroups)
Single Session Framework for Carer Lived Experience Workforce Training – La Trobe University

Additional Training

Mental Illness Fellowship WA, WA Association for Mental Health (WAAMH), Health Consumer Council (HCC) and CoMHWA offer short courses and workshops on topics such as advocacy, service navigation, disclosure, and workforce readiness. Training relevant to Lived Experience work (but not specifically developed for it) is also available. Topics include: Cultural competency, Mental Health First Aid, Suicide prevention, Conflict management, Understanding restrictive practices and Trauma-responsive practice.
WA Recovery College Alliance (WARCA) offers pathways to explore personal growth and new perspectives, broaden experience and form connections. WARCA welcomes people with lived experience with mental health or alcohol and other drug use challenges, family, friends, carers, volunteers, those who work in the mental health and alcohol and other drug sectors, those who work in other social, health and welfare sectors and the broader community. WARCA can offer educational courses on a wide range of topics. Some areas of interest are; Life skills, Creative skills, Business skills, Mental health, and Health and wellbeing.
Western Australian Mental Health Commission offers training across mental health, alcohol and other drugs, suicide prevention, and working with Aboriginal peoples through the Ways of Working program including:

National and Interstate Training

Lived Experience Leadership and Advocacy Network (LELAN) – South Australia’s independent peak body led by people with lived experience, offers free online training, including:
- Using lived experience (safe storytelling, advocacy, influence)
- Leadership and representation (co-design, strategic communication, policy engagement)
- Governance foundations (board roles, legal duties, financial oversight, practice and culture)
Insight and Dovetail offer a wide range of free, evidence-based eLearning modules, webinars and resources that support the development of a capable, confident, and connected workforce across alcohol and other drug, mental health, and social and emotional wellbeing sectors. Their online training is suitable for Lived Experience workers and those working alongside them, including specific training and support for Lived and Living Experience roles. While based in Queensland, their training materials are accessible nationwide.
Lived Experience Training (.org) offer a number of courses including foundational Lived-Living Experience literacy, organisational training and education and allyship training. The range of evidence-based training is designed to provide foundational and advanced understanding, facilitate organisational readiness, promote inclusive work culture and enable effective collaboration.

Internationally Recognised

Intentional Peer Support (IPS) training is internationally recognised within the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces space. IPS is a way of thinking about and inviting powerful, transformative relationships. Peer workers learn to use relationships to see things from new angles, develop greater awareness of personal and relational patterns, and support and challenge each other in trying new things. To read more about IPS click here.

Training Implications for the Workforces

The contributions of people with lived and living experience (personally or as a family/significant other) are increasingly valued across mental health, alcohol and other drugs and suicide prevention roles. However challenges remain, including lack of familiarity with workplace settings, unclear role definitions, insufficient training and stigma.

Common training gaps include:

Content and delivery, with participants asking for more hands-on and refresher training
Trainee concerns about being unprepared or unsupported
Personal barriers such as scheduling conflicts or limited resources

Addressing these challenges requires training that focuses on:

Adequate preparation and role clarity
Skilled trainers who bring both Lived Experience and educational expertise
Ongoing support during and after training
A workplace culture that values and sustains the Lived and Living Experience workforces^[1]

Lived Experience (Peer) Networks

It is important Lived Experience (Peer) workers are linked into networks and maintain regular contact with peers. These networks provide professional and personal support, strengthen practice, and contribute to the workforce’s sustainability. Being part of a network helps workers to connect with others, build knowledge and skills and promote the value and uptake of the Lived Experience (Peer) Workforces.

Western Australian Networks

The Western Australian Peer Support Network (WAPSN) was formed in 2014 and provides the Lived Experience (Peer) workers the opportunity to connect and support each other, grow knowledge and skills and promote the value and uptake of the Lived Experience (Peer) workforce.
Additionally, the Peer Workforce Champions Community of Practice is a collaborative inter-agency professional learning network, run to support peer workforces’ uptake and capabilities through knowledge sharing, support, and collaboration.

Other networks and peak bodies that may interest Lived Experience (Peer) workers include:

Consumers of Mental Health WA is the peak body for mental health consumers.
Carers WA is the peak body for carers (all carers, not specifically mental health or alcohol and other drugs).
The Alcohol and other Drug Consumer and Community Coalition is the peak body for alcohol and other drugs consumer advocacy in Western Australia.
The Health Consumers Council host consumer, family, carer and community representative networking.
ALike is the peak body for self help and support groups in Western Australia and provide training, support and networking opportunities.
Mental health Matters 2 is a community advocacy action group that aims to improve the outcomes for individuals, families, carers and supporters with experience of mental health and alcohol and other drug challenges, many of whom find themselves in the criminal justice system. Its activities include the support group Families 4 Families.
Helping Minds offers free Mental Health Education, Services and Carer Support across Western Australia.

National Networks and Initiatives

National Mental Health Consumer Alliance is the recognised national body representing the voices of people with lived experience of mental health.
Mental Health Carers Australia is the national peak body representing the voices of families and carers supporting people with mental health challenges. The organisation advocates for recognition, rights, and systemic reform, working to ensure that the experiences of carers inform national policy, services, and community understanding.
Lived Experience Australia is a national systemic advocacy, research, and capacity building organisation (formerly known as the Private Mental Health Consumer Carer Network). Their services include online Lived Experience advocacy training.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Lived Experience Centre is a national initiative. The centre is designed to elevate the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ lived experiences to contribute to the development of culturally safe, trauma-informed services, care, and programs.
Rural & Remote Mental Health – Deadly Thinking is a social, emotional well-being and suicide prevention program specifically designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, confronting core social and emotional well-being issues in a culturally appropriate and compelling way.
The Self Help and Addiction Resource Centre (SHARC) has developed, through research and co-design, a comprehensive Peer Worker Training program including peer facilitator training. SHARC also facilitates and supports the Victorian AOD Peer Workforces Community of Practice

References