Why Join the AAPW
The Australian Association of Peer Workers (AAPW) is built by peer workers, for peer workers. Membership is your opportunity to be part of a national community working together to strengthen recognition, representation, and support for peer work across Australia.
As a member, you will have access to practical resources, support, and opportunities to connect with peers from across Australia. You will also be part of a collective voice advocating for stronger recognition, rights, standards and working conditions for peer workers.
Through a member-driven organisation, peer workers can access support, build connections, and help shape the future of peer work in Australia.
Support
- Access resources, information, and support to help you navigate and thrive in your role, including professional development forums and webinars.
- Access information, advice, and referrals on workplace challenges that are specific to peer workers.
Connection
- Share and learn with peers across Australia who understand the realities of the work, online and in-person.
- Advocate and participate in a growing national movement for peer work, finding belonging and solidarity with others across the profession.
Influence
- Harness the collective power of the profession to advance recognition, rights and working conditions.
- Strengthen peer worker influence in policy, reform, and system change.
Who can become a member?
The AAPW is a membership organisation for mental health and suicide prevention peer workers across Australia.
Peer workers contribute their lived experience expertise in many different ways. While some work in frontline support roles, others work in leadership, supervision, workforce development, education, advocacy, research, policy, service design and other roles where lived experience is used intentionally and skillfully as part of their practice.
Full membership is available to:
- Current peer workers employed in permanent, casual, contract or consulting roles
- People studying to become peer workers
- Former peer workers intending to return to the workforce
- Peer worker alumni who wish to remain connected to and contribute to the profession
The AAPW welcomes members from across the mental health and suicide prevention peer workforce, including mental health consumer peer workers, mental health family carer peer workers, First Nations peer workers and suicide prevention peer workers.
The current AAPW establishment project is funded through a Department of Health, Disability and Ageing grant specifically scoped to establish a national association for mental health and suicide prevention, peer workers. We recognise the important contribution of peer workers across many sectors and the strong connections shared across peer work disciplines. As the Association grows, there will be opportunities to explore broader inclusion of the peer workforce.
Friends of the AAPW
A Friends of the AAPW membership category is available for people who are not employed in mental health or suicide prevention peer work roles but wish to support the Association's work and stay connected to the peer workforce. This includes allies, supporters, employers, educators, researchers, peer workers in other fields, and volunteers who support peers in community, service, or organisational settings.
Member Benefits
The Resource Library is available now via the member portal. The following three initiatives are currently in development and will help strengthen connection, support, and collective action across our peer workforce.
Resource Library
A growing collection of resources to support peer workers to navigate challenges, strengthen their practice and thrive in their roles.
Advice and referral service
Peer workers shouldn't have to navigate challenges alone. Access trusted information, guidance and practical support to respond to workplace challenges, advocate for yourself and connect with relevant services and resources.
Coming Soon!
Member forums
Regular opportunities to engage with peer workers across Australia, sharing insights, experiences, projects and advocacy.
Coming Soon!
Communities of Practice
Peer-led spaces that bring together peer workers around shared interests, experiences and areas of practice, fostering connection, shared learning and exchange.
Coming Soon!
Become a Member!
Join the Australian Association of Peer Workers
A national peer-led membership body, built by peer workers, for peer workers.
