Peer Academy launched to help young people turn lived experience into mental health careers
15 October 2026
COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN has launched a new Peer Academy to help young people with lived and living experience of mental health challenges build careers in the mental health peer workforce.
Designed for young people aged 18 to 30 years, the Peer Academy combines flexible learning, mentoring, practical work experience and nationally recognised micro-credentials. It provides an alternative pathway into the workforce, recognising that traditional education and employment pathways do not work for everyone.
COORDINARE Regional Peer Workforce Project Coordinator Courtney Cross said the Peer Academy responds to growing demand for Peer Workers while addressing some of the barriers young people can face in accessing traditional training and employment pathways.
“Young people with firsthand experience of mental health challenges, recovery and navigating systems bring valuable insight and motivation to the peer workforce,” said Ms Cross.
“However, traditional education pathways can be difficult to sustain alongside managing mental health, health appointments, caring responsibilities and other challenges.
“The Peer Academy provides a flexible and supportive pathway, helping young people build the skills, confidence and connections they need to pursue meaningful employment in the mental health sector.”
The Peer Academy was co-designed with young people from across South Eastern NSW with lived and living experience of mental health challenges, alcohol and other drug use, suicidality and recovery.
Existing peer workers, training providers, employment support agencies and community organisations also contributed to the program’s development, helping to shape its curriculum, job readiness support, flexible participation options and work experience opportunities.
The Peer Academy has also been shaped in partnership with leaders across the mental health, youth and lived experience sectors. COORDINARE is proud to be working alongside organisations including headspace National, Orygen, ReachOut, Mental Health Coordinating Council, Grand Pacific Health, Relationships Australia and Marathon Health through a dedicated Stakeholder Reference Group.
Youth Peer Workforce Project Coordinator Zoe Hinge said she often wonders how different her own journey might have been if she had discovered peer work earlier.
“For me, discovering peer work was a major part of learning to accept myself as whole and imperfect, becoming less ashamed and realising these experiences can be connecting, human and powerful,” said Hinge.
“Through the Peer Academy, I’m honoured to welcome young people into peer careers and see where the ripples of their impact on others’ lives might lead.”
One young person involved in the co-design said the opportunity to use their lived experience to help others was a strong motivation to pursue peer work.
“The idea that I would be able to help even one person because of my lived experience makes me overjoyed. I think peer work is incredibly open and honest work, and I would love my journey to start with the Peer Academy.”
Expressions of Interest are now open. Applications close 15 November. Visit the Peer Academy website to submit an Expression of Interest or register for an upcoming information session.
COORDINARE is also seeking experienced peer workers to join the Peer Academy as peer mentors to support the program and help ensure it continues to reflect the experiences, aspirations and needs of the peer workforce.
This program is supported by funding from COORDINARE – South Eastern NSW PHN through the Australian Government’s PHN Program.
Learn more here.