Subject: Join an Online Information Session, Apply to Join the Team and More!
To the growing AAPW community,
A warm welcome to everyone who has joined the AAPW mailing list since our last update. We’re delighted to have you with us!
When we sent our first newsletter in May, we had welcomed 296 people to our mailing list in our first week. In six short weeks, that number has already grown to 779 people from across Australia, bringing together a broad and diverse community of people with different experiences, identities and perspectives who share an interest in the future of peer work. The AAPW was established to create a national voice for mental health and suicide prevention peer workers, and that collective voice is strengthened every time someone joins our growing community.
Over recent weeks, we’ve continued listening, learning and connecting with peer workers across the country while reaching several important milestones that we’re pleased to share with you in this newsletter, including:
- Our upcoming online public information and Q&A sessions
- Look out for our new logo at TheMHS Conference 2026
- Our recent presentation at the WA Peer Supporters’ Network Conference
- Our continuing recruitment of the AAPW team
Online public information and Q&A sessions
We know our community is keen to learn more about the development of the AAPW during this important establishment phase. We’re hosing free online information and Q&A sessions on Wednesday 8 July and 12 August from 5 PM – 6 PM AEST.
We'll share an update on our progress, provide more information about upcoming projects and membership, and answer your questions.
RSVP below and we’ll send you an email invitation to join the webinar on Zoom.
RSVP to the session on Wednesday 8 July here
RSVP to the session on Wednesday 12 August here
Look out for our new logo at TheMHS Conference 2026
We’re excited to introduce our recently developed AAPW logo, so you’ll be able to find and recognise us online and at sector events. The Association’s logo was designed to represent peer workers and our united strength, support and advocacy.
Look out for us at The Mental Health Services (TheMHS) Conference, running from 4 - 7 August 2026. You’ll be able to find information about us at both the National Mental Health Consumer Alliance stand, and the Mental Health Carers Australia stand.
This conference will bring together managers, clinicians, consumers, carers, service managers, researchers, educators & policymakers, to explore the fundamentals of human need, including hope, inclusion and connection.
Find out more and RSVP for the conference here
Presentation at the WA Peer Supporters’ Network Conference
We were thrilled to be invited to present at the WA Peer Supporters’ Network Conference, held in Perth on the 15 and 16 June, to advance peer support and the peer support workforce in Western Australia (WA).
We sincerely thank the organisers for creating such a valuable opportunity for the AAPW to connect and learn from peer workers from across WA.
The AAPW's representative at the conference, Danni Bament, presented to over 200 peer workers about:
- The establishment of the AAPW,
- The history and movement behind efforts to establish a national peer workforce association in Australia, and
- The Association's initial key project and advocacy priorities.
There was strong engagement from conference attendees, and it was invaluable to hear directly from peer workers about the issues and priorities that matter most to them, including:
- Developing national standards and Scope of Practice for the peer workforce;
- Advancing access to quality training, professional development and supervision; and
- Advocating for greater recognition, understanding and respect for peer workers across the mental health system.
The conference also included many other insightful and impactful presentations. A panel of First Nations peer workers shared their deep knowledge and lived expertise of peer work, including the structural and systemic barriers that continue to exist because of ongoing colonisation. Discharged, who facilitate suicide peer support groups in WA, spoke powerfully about the harms of suicidism; the social, cultural and institutional oppression of people experiencing suicidality, including stigma, exclusion and the silencing of suicidal voices.
It was a privilege to share the conference platform with these inspiring peer workers and speakers. The conference reinforced the importance of connection, support and representation for the national peer workforce, and we look forward to continuing to connect with peer workers across the country as the Association takes shape.
Continuing recruitment of the AAPW team
As we shared in our last newsletter, we are currently recruiting the initial AAPW team. The applications for the General Manager position have closed, but we are still recruiting four additional project lead roles. If you’re a consumer peer worker, carer peer worker, First Nations peer worker or suicide prevention peer worker, you’re encouraged to apply. You can find out more about each role via the links below.
Membership and Advocacy Lead
First Nations Strategy Lead
Practice Standards Lead
Workplace Standards Lead
Finally, thank you for being part of our growing community. We look forward to continuing to build a national association that is by peer workers, for peer workers, and hope to see many of you at one of our upcoming information and Q&A sessions.
Warm regards,
The AAPW Establishment Team
