In 2022, the NSPO established the Lived Experience Partnership Council (LEPC) formally known as the Lived Experience Partnership Group, to ensure that people with a lived experience of suicide are partners in the work of the Office.
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.
What does being a member of the LEPC involve?
The LEPC meets with the NSPO monthly with occasional additional opportunities to provide advice between meetings. Each meeting is 2 hours long and is held virtually in business hours. It is important that members have capacity to attend meetings. New members would join from February 2027.
Paid participation
The NSPO provides a daily or pro-rata payment for participation of people with a lived experience of suicide when 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.
Readiness to be involved
Before applying, we encourage candidates to consider their readiness to be involved in conversations about suicide prevention reform. It may be useful to read this resource created by Roses in the Ocean.
Capability Criteria
The NSPO is seeking a diverse range of lived and living experience of suicide perspectives. Each applicant should also have the ability to contribute to conversations about 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 needs of the Council.
Applications close midnight 20 November.
