We acknowledge the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the lands across which we live and work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuing connection – both physical and spiritual – to land, sea and sky.

Strengthening the lived experience workforce

South Eastern NSW continues to lead the way in embedding lived experience as a valued and integral part of mental health care. 

Through sustained investment, strong partnerships and the implementation of the region's Peer Work Framework, the lived experience workforce is driving positive change across services, communities and systems, supported by a sustainable and growing peer workforce.

Highlights include:

Peer workforce grew from 70 to more than 200 workers since 2021.

Commissioned services employing peer workers increased from 15 to 39.

22% of care across commissioned services were delivered by peer workers.

Peer workforce delivered services to First Nations consumers has grown from 3.5% (FY 21-22) to over 17%.

Youth peer work has expanded across all nine headspace sites in our region.

Global recognition

South Eastern NSW’s innovative approach to peer workforce development gained international recognition in 2025-26. Our work was selected for presentation at the International Conference on Integrated Care in the UK, highlighting the region's leadership in embedding peer work within multidisciplinary mental health care.

This follows a Highly Commended award at the Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand, recognising the strength of our co-designed, region-wide approach to supporting peer workers.
Learn more

Peer work in action

This year's ‘Moments of impact’ stories demonstrated the value of initiatives such as Intentional Peer Support training, Regional Peer Networks, the December Letters project, wellbeing activities and youth engagement, strengthening workforce capability while fostering connection, belonging and recovery across communities.

Regional Peer Networks remain a cornerstone of supporting the workforce, bringing peer workers together to connect, share knowledge, access professional development and contribute to the growth of peer work across the region. Peer workers consistently describe the networks as a source of inspiration, learning and support that strengthens both their practice and wellbeing.

Learn more

Each time I leave a Peer Network Meeting, I feel like my cup has been refilled with a sense of connection, hope, and inspiration to share with the people I work with… We are reminded why we come together, why we are in these roles in the first place and that we contribute to something bigger.

Regional Peer Network member

Peer work as a practice is based on shared humanity, solidarity, and hope. We want to ensure this workforce is well-supported, connected and equipped with the skills to create meaningful and enduring change in both the lives of the people they work with, and the systems and services they work within.

Courtney Cross

COORDINARE Regional Peer Workforce Program Lead

In South Eastern NSW, peer work is no longer seen as aspirational – it is embedded and expected across services. Through deliberate regional investment and collaboration, the lived experience workforce in South Eastern NSW has tripled since 2021, service delivery by Peer Workers has doubled, and access for First Nations consumers has increased five-fold. These results reflect the deliberate work taking place across our region to strengthen and support the peer workforce.

Prudence Buist

COORDINARE CEO

Looking ahead

We will build on the strong foundations of our Peer Work Framework by renewing it to reflect evolving policy, practice, evidence and workforce needs. This will ensure the framework remains relevant, contemporary and future-focused, while supporting the continued growth and impact of the lived experience workforce across South Eastern NSW. Several exciting initiatives planned for late 2026 and beyond will further advance peer workforce development across the region:

  • image

    Peers at the Table

    Launching at Parliament House, Peers at the Table is a new podcast series that will elevate lived experience voices and explore how peer work can shape more person-centred, recovery-oriented mental health care.

    Learn more
  • image

    The Peer Academy

    The Peer Academy is being co-designed with young people to create pathways into peer work, building the skills, confidence and connections needed to support the next generation of lived experience leaders.

    Learn more
  • image

    Peer Report

    The new Peer Report will showcase the growth and impact of the lived experience workforce across the region, highlighting progress under the Peer Work Framework and sharing stories of change, learning and workforce development.

    Learn more
Visit our website to learn more