South Western Sydney PHN (SWSPHN) is seeking health professionals, community representatives and people with lived experience to join our Mental Health Advisory Committee and help improve mental health outcomes across our region.
We recognise better mental health care starts with understanding the people who need it. People who seek support, care for others, deliver services and advocate for their communities each bring valuable insights into what works and where change is needed.
By bringing these perspectives together, we can make better decisions about how we plan, fund and coordinate services to reflect local needs.
What you’ll gain
As a committee member, you will have the opportunity to:
- influence decisions about mental health services in your region
- bring attention to the needs and experiences of the people you support or represent
- work alongside people with diverse knowledge and experience
Who we are looking for
We welcome expressions of interest from:
- GPs and pharmacists with an interest in mental health
- psychiatrists and other specialist mental health professionals
- allied health professionals
- counsellors and psychotherapists
- mental health nurses
- lived experience representatives and peer workers
- representatives from community managed organisations
- representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
- representatives of recently arrived and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities
- representatives of peak mental health organisations
- representatives of universities and other training providers
- people with expertise in specific areas of mental health, including suicide prevention and complex mental health conditions
We are looking for members who value collaboration, respect different perspectives and want to contribute to better mental health care for our communities.
How you will contribute
The committee will advise SWSPHN on commissioning activities, including how we plan and fund mental health services to meet local needs. As a member, you will help:
- provide regional oversight of the alliance commissioning approach for mental health
- oversee implementation of the regional mental health and suicide prevention plan
- shape new commissioning activities through consultation and co-design
- inform workforce development and capacity building
- strengthen coordination, referral pathways and access to higher levels of care when needed
- identify emerging needs and gaps in local services
- support tender and grant evaluation panels
What to expect
Time commitment
Meetings will initially run for 1.5 hours every two months, with the intention to move to quarterly meetings. Members will also contribute between meetings by reviewing documents and providing feedback.
Meeting format
A mix of face-to-face and online meetings.
Remuneration
Members who are not paid by their employer to participate will be remunerated.
Express your interest
Bring your experience and perspective to the committee and help shape mental health services which respond to local needs.
Submit your expression of interest by 5pm, Monday 30 November 2026.
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Why your perspective matters
Finding the right mental health support can be challenging. Barriers to access, gaps between services and differing community needs can affect whether people receive care when they need it.
The Mental Health Advisory Committee will help SWSPHN understand these challenges and identify opportunities for improvement. Members will bring professional expertise, lived experience and community knowledge to discussions which inform our approach to mental health care.
Your contribution can help strengthen connections between services and shape care which is accessible, coordinated, culturally responsive and centred on the person.
Learn more
Before applying, we encourage you to review our website, annual report, committees page and Code of Meeting Practice.
Enquiries
If you have any questions about the Mental Health Advisory Committee or the application process, please contact Jade Weidner, Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drugs Manager, at Jade.Weidner@swsphn.com.au.
