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National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce Census
Tanya Jawab Umum
Who should complete the Census?
This Census is for people who are working in roles where their lived experience of mental health challenges and/or suicide – and the related knowledge, skills, or training – is an essential requirement of their role. Using lived experience means drawing on your personal experiences or experiences supporting someone (as a family, carer or kin) through mental health challenges and/or suicide, including distress, crisis, attempts, ideation, or bereavement.
The Lived Experience (Peer) workforce exists in a range of roles across various settings. These roles include: peer support; representation and advisory; education, training, management and/or supervision; research, consultancy, policy development and systemic advocacy; and executive governance, board or committee representation.
If you are unsure whether your role qualifies, please consider whether your lived experience is a formal requirement or an essential requirement of your work. If this applies to your role, you are encouraged to participate.
If you are unsure, you can contact the Social Research Centre on 1800 023 040 or email livedexperience@srcentre.com.au.
Mengapa saya harus berpartisipasi?
Participation in the Census will help to build the evidence base needed to strengthen recognition of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Lived Experience (Peer) workforce and to guide future planning at both state and national levels.
Until now, there has never been a national picture of this workforce. The Census has been created to understand who makes up the workforce, what roles they hold, and the different ways they contribute to the mental health and suicide prevention system(s).
By sharing your insights, you will contribute to a stronger, more sustainable and more informed Lived Experience (Peer) workforce across Australia.
How do I complete the Census?
The Census can only be completed online. It can be completed using most internet enabled devices, such as a mobile phone, tablet (like an iPad), desktop or laptop computer. Please click on the link below to complete the Census.
The Census will be open for completion from mid-March to 18 April 2026. You may complete it at a time that is convenient to you during this period. Please allow enough time, about 15 minutes, to complete the Census in one sitting. If you need to step away, please keep your browser open and this will allow you to return to your responses. Your responses will only save once you reach the end of the Census and click ‘Next’ to submit.
We advise you to take care and look after your wellbeing while completing the Census. This might be by taking your time or having a support person with you.
How long will it take to complete?
The Census may take around 15 minutes to complete. Please allow enough time to complete the Census in one sitting as responses will only save once they are submitted at the end.
I’ve already completed the Census, do I need to complete it again?
No, you only need to complete the Census once. To ensure the Census data is accurate and representative, it is very important that you only complete the Census once.
Can I share the Census link with others?
Yes, you can. We encourage you to share the Census link with colleagues and others in your network who are in a mental health and suicide prevention Lived Experience (Peer) role. By sharing the Census link, you will help us reach as many people as possible in this workforce.
How are responses protected?
All information you provide in the Census will be kept confidential and used only for research purposes. No identifiable information will be shared with your employer or the department, and all reporting will be aggregated so that no individual or organisation can be identified.
Deidentified data may be used to produce reports on the Census findings, for future related research publications, for further analysis by the department or by approved researchers engaged by the department.
The Social Research Centre will store your data securely in accordance with state and federal privacy legislation, including the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and the Archives Act 1983 (Cth). Your information will not be used for any other purpose without your consent, and personal information will be deleted in line with the Australian Privacy Principles.
Further detail can be found in our collection statement at https://srcentre.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/3364-Data-collection-statement.pdf.
For more information about privacy, read the Social Research Centre’s Privacy Policy at https://srcentre.com.au/privacy-policy.
How was the Census developed?
The Census was developed with lived experience leaders, workers and organisations to ensure it reflects the realities of peer work. This included consultations with people using their lived experience across peer support, system and leadership roles, as well as independent and freelance work.
What will the data be used for?
The data collected through the Census will help build a comprehensive understanding of the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce. The results from the Census will provide a better understanding of the workforce, and can inform future workforce planning, improve support, and strengthen recognition for the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Lived Experience (Peer) Workforce.
The Social Research Centre will share Census findings with the department who will then decide how to share the report and results to the broader workforce and facilitate the public release of the report.
I was contacted about the Census, how did you get my information?
Your organisation was identified through publicly available information and stakeholders in the sector as an employer or host of Lived Experience (Peer) workers. Publicly available information includes things like websites and online job advertisements.
Who is conducting the Census?
The Census is being conducted by the Social Research Centre on behalf of the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
Siapakah Pusat Penelitian Sosial?
The Social Research Centre undertakes independent social research and evaluation on behalf of government departments, universities and not-for-profit organisations. The Social Research Centre was established in 2000 and is owned by the Australian National University (ANU). More information about the Social Research Centre can be found at https://srcentre.com.au.
Who is The Australian Centre for Social Innovation?
The Australian Centre for Social Innovation (TACSI) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation working across Australia. TACSI create spaces that bring together sector expertise, research expertise and lived expertise to inform the development and implementation of new services, strategies and policies. More information about TACSI can be found at https://tacsi.org.au.
Ada pertanyaan lebih lanjut?
If you have any questions about the Census, please contact the Social Research Centre If you have any questions about the Census, please call the Social Research Centre on 1800 023 040 or email livedexperience@srcentre.com.au.
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