Expressions of Interest 2026: National Suicide Prevention Office Lived Experience Partnership Council

Overview

About the National Suicide Prevention Office Lived Experience Partnership Council

The National Suicide Prevention Office (NSPO) is calling for expressions of interest from people with lived and living experience of suicide to join the Lived Experience Partnership Council (LEPC) for the NSPO. 

In 2022, the NSPO established the LEPC, fromally known as the Lived Experience Partnership Group, to ensure that people with a lived experience of suicide are partners in the work of the organisation.  

The NSPO and LEPC are now seeking expressions of interest for new members to join the council to inform the work of the NSPO. 

To date, the LEPC has collaborated on the development of Australia’s National Suicide Prevention Strategy 2025-2035 and the National Suicide Prevention Outcomes Framework. Members have also contributed to the broader work of the NSPO, including being on recruitment panels for all staff and contractors, partnering to design the NSPO brand, and informing how the NSPO engages with diverse communities of people with a lived and living experience.

This Expression of Interest process has been informed by LEPC members, applications are considered by a panel that includes NSPO staff and people with lived experience of suicide, with final decision on appointments made by the Head of the NSPO.

The LEPC meets with the NSPO monthly with ad-hoc opportunities to provide advice between meetings.   

Paid participation 

The NSPO provides a daily or pro-rata payment for participation of people with a lived experience, their families and support people when they are personally nominated or invited to give expert advice and share their experiences to inform our work and they are not being remunerated for their time by another entity.  This includes payment for travel and accommodation and reimbursement of any reasonable associated out of pocket expenses.  

The NSPO's paid participation processes are currently under review, as part of alignment to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing's payment processes. 

Readiness to be involved 

Before applying, we encourage candidates to review the readiness to be involved in suicide prevention resource created by Roses in the Ocean. 

Capability Criteria 

The NSPO is seeking people who can bring diverse lived and living experience of suicide together with the ability to contribute to systems improvement, policy development and suicide prevention reform. Please review the capability criteria below to assess suitability before submitting an application. The NSPO recognises that no single person will bring all of the experiences and perspectives included in the capability criteria. The LEPC works collectively, and applications will be assessed on the strength of each individual's contribution and the overall diversity, expertise and capability of the Council. 

Terms of Reference

Please review the Terms of Reference for the NSPO Councils below prior to submitting your application.