About Us
Lived Experience Australia makes a difference in systemic advocacy by being informed about the issues facing people with mental health issues, their families and carers and using this to influence mental health policy, planning and decision making at local, state and national levels.
Formed in 2002, Lived Experience Australia was previously known as the Private Mental Health Consumer Carer Network (Australia) to promote the interests of members of the community requiring private mental health services. While our focus is on private sector mental health services, we provide national systemic advocacy for consumers, families and carers in all mental health settings.
Our activities are making a difference in the mental health sector. We develop high quality resources for consumers, families, carers, clinicians and service providers.
Lived Experience Australia is well informed in the broader sense about issues, needs and concerns that affect people with a mental illness, families and carers. We have close relationships with mental health professional colleges and organisations.
Lived Experience Australia provides a means of maximising participation in mental health reform, policy, planning and decision making

Our Mission
Engage, empower, enable choice in mental health

Our Vision
To promote effective consumer, family and carer advocacy as the driving force behind all changes in mental health services
Our People
Our committed team have a lived experience as a consumer or carer and are focused on systemic advocacy in mental health.
Capability Statement
Our capability statement highlights what LEA can and has done for mental health lived experience consumers, carers, peer workers and staff practitioners to improve mental health services.
Strategic Plan
Our Strategic Plan outlines the key work and priority areas for Lived Experience Australia from 2019 to 2022.
2,099
Current friends of Lived Experience Australia
Formal submissions to influence mental health policy decisions
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Appearances before Parliamentary enquiries