Skip to main content
If life in danger call Triple Zero 000
If life in danger call Triple Zero 000

Terms of Reference

Lived Experience Advisory Group

Version 4

Release Date: January 2026

Review Date: January 2029

Table of Contents

  1. About this document
    1. Overview
    2. Document history
    3. Related documents
    4. Definitions
  2. Purpose and objectives
    1. Purpose
    2. Objectives
  3. Composition and Responsibilities of the LLEAG
    1. Membership
    2. Membership criteria
    3. Term of appointment
    4. Roles and responsibilities
    5. Decision-making
    6. Accountability
  4. Conduct of Meetings
    1. Quorum and frequency of meetings
    2. Format and papers for meetings
    3. Accessibility
    4. Communications
    5. Expectations
    6. Minutes
    7. Sharing of Information (Confidentiality)
    8. Conflicts of Interest
  5. Remuneration
    1. Rates
    2. Payment Process
    3. Taxation arrangements
    4. Reimbursements for expenses
  6. Review
  7. Appendix 1
  8. Appendix 2

About this document

Overview

Lifeline Australia is united by a shared purpose to ensure that lived experience perspectives and expertise are valued across Lifeline.

The Lifeline Lived Experience Advisory Group (LLEAG) provides strategic level advice on a systems-level understanding of suicide prevention, crisis support, and the needs and interests of people with lived experience, working from both personal experience and Lived Expertise.

This encompasses all areas of service design, implementation and evaluation of Lifeline Australia’s policy, research, advocacy, practice, marketing and fundraising activities.

These Terms of Reference (TOR) outline the purpose, aims, scope, and operations of the LLEAG.

Document history

Version Date Author Change Description
1-3 Various dates - Various
4 October 2025 Tara Hunt, Lifeline Research Office Significant review to make fit for purpose for Terms of Reference 2026
Related resource Context and location
Lifeline Australia Lived Experience Framework Link
Reciprocal commitments between Lifeline Australia and the Lifeline Lived Experience Advisory Group Appendix 1
Renumeration Appendix 2

Definitions

Term Definition
People with lived experience People with lived or living experience of personal crisis or suicide, emotional distress or domestic and family violence (DFV). Lived experience of suicide is defined as having experience/d suicidal thoughts, survived a suicide attempt, supported a loved one through suicidal crisis, or been bereaved by suicide. This includes people that have used Lifeline’s services to seek support who may or may not identify as having lived experience.
LLEAG Lifeline Lived Experience Advisory Group
LLEAG Facilitators The LLEAG Facilitators support and enable the relationship between Lifeline Australia and the LLEAG. This function is fulfilled by the Lifeline Research Office (LRO).
Lived Expertise The capacity to purposefully utilise the insights, knowledge, and understanding gained from lived experience to effectively contribute to service improvement activities.
Member An individual who is an advisor on the LLEAG.

Purpose and objectives

Purpose

The LLEAG works with other groups and functions within Lifeline Australia to bring advice and input across different levels, from the system and sector, down to individual’s stories (see the Lifeline Australia Lived Experience Framework).

Objectives

The main objective of the LLEAG is to ensure the voices of people with lived experience are included throughout Lifeline Australia’s activities.

The LLEAG is the key mechanism for ensuring that Lifeline Australia is grounded in lived expertise by providing considered, balanced, timely and strategic advice on issues relating to:

  • National marketing campaigns
  • National advocacy
  • National service design and policy
  • National service delivery (where appropriate)
  • National research projects

1 The definition of lived experience of suicide will be discussed and endorsed by the LLEAG in 2026.

Composition and Responsibilities of the LLEAG

Membership

The LLEAG is made up of a minimum of 5 and maximum of 8 members with lived expertise, representing individual and/or carer and/or bereaved perspectives.

Members are appointed based on their expertise and leadership skills and as individuals, not as representatives of any organization or group.

Membership criteria

Membership will service the diversity of lived experience communities, including:

  • lived and living experiences
  • experience of service and systems use
  • gender
  • geographical regions
  • population cohorts
  • cultural expertise
  • advocacy skills and experience

There will be an annual discussion between the LLEAG and Lifeline Australia to determine if group membership serves community needs adequately.

Individual members may bring experience from multiple contexts, and may serve many communities.

Members will also hold demonstrated leadership skills, including:

  • Capacity to work collaboratively with others to achieve positive change
  • Ability to bring a perspective specific to their own lived experience while promoting the voices of others serving different perspectives
  • Good working knowledge of the contemporary issues and priorities of significance to people with lived experience
  • Recognition of everyone’s value to the shared work (staff and lived experience contributors), including those with different perspectives
  • Assumption of good intent and a learning mindset, including the capacity to view conflict or differences as opportunities to learn and grow
  • Consistent application of the guiding principles in all interactions
  • Awareness and capacity to communicate own wellbeing support needs and preferences.
  • Members must not be engaged in any activities which conflict with the interests of Lifeline Australia or the LLEAG’s purpose and objectives. The decision as to whether a conflict exists is at the absolute discretion of Lifeline Australia. Lifeline Australia will communicate the decision and reason for the decision to the individual in a timely fashion (See Section 4.8). 

Term of appointment

  • Members are appointed for a term of 3 years. Members will have the opportunity to reapply for a second term of 3 years, in accordance with the recruitment process specified below.
  • The total cumulative term of any member must not exceed 6 years.
  • In the case of members serving on the LLEAG at the date of approval of these Terms of Reference, any prior service as a LLEAG member will count towards the maximum total 6-year limit for tenures and subject to the member meeting the membership criteria outlined in Section 3.2 and the agreement of Lifeline Australia, the member may be offered another three year appointment on the LLEAG even if this brings their total tenure to over 6 years.
  • The LLEAG Facilitators will recruit via an open Expression of Interest (EOI) process where applicants are asked to reflect on their lived experience advocacy and leadership experience. Short-listed applicants will be invited to an interview.
  • Should a member wish to resign notice should be made in writing to the LLEAG Facilitators.

Roles and responsibilities

Relationship between LLEAG members and Lifeline Australia Staff

Lifeline Australia’s engagement with the LLEAG is facilitated by the Lifeline Research Office (LRO). This arrangement reflects the fact the LRO is focused on generating and implementing knowledge into all LLA activities, enabling contextual and practical engagement across all business units.

Lifeline Australia staff also engage with LLEAG via the LRO for specific projects.

All LLEAG members, facilitators and staff commit to upholding the Lifeline Lived Experience Engagement Framework.

LLEAG members and Lifeline Australia staff also commit to the reciprocal commitments between the LLEAG and Lifeline Australia outlined in Appendix 1.

Additionally, there are distinct roles and responsibilities that members, facilitators and staff hold.

LLEAG members

  • Provide professional and expert advice and guidance from our own lived experience while promoting the voices of others representing different perspectives.
  • Contribute to activities and deliverables set by Lifeline Australia by drawing on knowledge of the contemporary issues and priorities of significance to people with lived experience.
  • Make recommendations and provide guidance to Lifeline Australia in relation to crisis and suicide prevention.

LLEAG Facilitators

  • Secretariat duties, organising and chairing each meeting.
  • Set agendas, take minutes, collate resources, and coordinate communication between members, provide advice, provide administrative support to the group (e.g. arranging appropriate venues, travel, accommodation, catering, and ensuring payment of and verifying reimbursement of eligible expenses).

Decision-making

Lifeline Australia

  • Holds authority to make final decisions on recommendations put forward by members.
  • Final decisions and recommendations will incorporate a range of considerations including ethical, clinical, technical and other aspects.

LLEAG

  • Makes recommendations to Lifeline Australia on those matters within its Terms of Reference.
  • Does not have the power to incur expenditure.
  • Does not have the power to bind Lifeline Australia or the Lifeline Australia Board.
  • Cannot make binding decisions for, or speak on behalf of, Lifeline Australia unless explicitly empowered by the organisation.

Accountability

Lifeline Australia

Lifeline Australia will ensure that everyone involved in lived experience engagements is set up and supported to do this work safely and effectively. Execution includes:

  • Investing in resourcing and capability development of both staff and people with lived experience.
  • Ensuring recruitment processes clearly communicate capability expectations for Lifeline staff and people with lived experience.
  • Targeted onboarding that ensures staff and people with lived experience understand the practices and processes in place to support them.
  • Sharing outcomes of LLEAG meetings with the Lifeline Executive and the Service Committee (Lifeline Australia Board Sub-Committee).
  • Providing progress and impact updates to articulate how LLEAG recommendations have been actioned either in meetings or via email update.

LLEAG members

  • Members understand and seek to fulfil their role by asking questions, seeking clarity, and doing what is within their power to ensure they have the support and information required to contribute meaningfully.
  • Members follow and uphold Lifeline Australia’s policies including Code of Conduct, Bullying, Harassment and Discrimination Policy, Social Media and Website policy, and Confidentiality Agreements.
  • LLEAG members will take all reasonable steps to maintain confidentiality, especially when sensitive information is shared.

Conduct of Meetings

Quorum and frequency of meetings

  • At least 3 members must be present for quorum.
  • The LLEAG will meet on a regular schedule, with additional out-of-session consultations on an ad hoc basis.
  • An additional meeting per year will be dedicated to discussions regarding membership, cohesion, purpose, progress, and future strategies of LLEAG.
  • Meetings will be held every 6 weeks at a set time generally during business hours, scheduled for between 1-1.5 hours each. Each in-session meeting will require up to 1-hour preparation time to accommodate any pre-reading required, and administration time. Tentative dates and times for all meetings will be put forward for agreement in the first meeting of the calendar year.
  • Additional out-of-session meetings or workshops may be scheduled as required; however, participants will be provided due notice. The length of additional meetings and payment associated will be outlined in the meeting invitation.

Format and papers for meetings

  • Meetings will generally be held by Microsoft Teams, and it is the preference that members have access to web cameras; however, dial in numbers will be provided if necessary. If a meeting is to be held in person, members will be provided adequate notice and costs of travel will be covered.

Meetings may require preparation by reviewing the meeting pack. The pack will be provided at least 7 days prior.

  • The structure of meetings generally include:
    • Acknowledgement of Country
    • Around the room update regarding sector news, projects, and experiences
    • Items presented by Lifeline Australia for discussion and feedback

Accessibility

LLEAG meetings aim to accommodate accessibility needs by:

  • Circulating agenda and materials in advance
  • In-meeting contributions can be made verbally or in the chat function
  • Out-of-session contributions can be made after the meeting via email
  • Optional live captions and meeting recording via Microsoft Teams
  • Additional requests for accessibility support can be made to Lifeline Research Office staff.

Communications

Communication will be through email, telephone, Microsoft Teams and face-to-face. Minutes, documentation and key information will be circulated by email.

Expectations

Members commit to:
  • Attend scheduled meetings, on time and for the entire meeting, or provide a written apology if unable to attend
  • Adhere to the LLEAG Ways of Working reciprocal commitments (See Appendix 1)
  • Use their knowledge and expertise to contribute to discussions and decision making relevant to Lifeline Australia’s service provision.
  • Note: If a member is absent from three consecutive meetings without apology their appointment will be reviewed by the LLEAG Facilitators. Depending on the circumstances, this review may result in the conclusion of their membership.
Members can expect to:
  • Be provided with complete, accurate and meaningful information for their consideration
  • Be given reasonable time to provide advice
  • Be alerted to potential risks and issues that could impact implementation of their advice
  • Be involved in annual discussions on the cohesion, purpose, progress, and future strategies of LLEAG
  • Be given timely feedback on the impact of the LLEAG’s contribution.
  • Be provided with access to rights and entitlements as contractors, including necessary wellbeing supports which may include employee assistance program.

Minutes

  • Minutes will be taken at each meeting by the Deputy Chief Research Officer and will be approved by the Lifeline Australia Chief Research Officer prior to distribution.
  • Minutes will be distributed by the secretariat to all members of the LLEAG.
  • Reports summarising LLEAG meeting minutes will be tabled with the Executive Leadership Team and Service Committee.

Sharing of Information (Confidentiality)

  • All LLEAG members are required to sign a confidentiality agreement (this may be part of a consultancy agreement) which will be provided to members prior to the first meeting.
  • Confidentiality of commercial in-confidence, sensitive and identifiable material will be ensured by all group members.

Conflicts of Interest

  • Members must not be engaged in any activities which conflict with the interests of Lifeline Australia or the LLEAG’s purpose and objectives.
  • A conflict of interest is a situation where a person or entity has competing interests or loyalties. A conflict may be actual (a conflict which has arisen in the present situation), potential (a conflict that may occur in the future) or perceived (a conflict that is seen to be a conflict but is not).
  • A conflict of interest in the context of the LLEAG may arise from a situation in which the best interests of Lifeline Australia may not be served while also serving the best interests of the other party such as a Lifeline Australia Member. These situations could present the risk that a LLEAG Member will make a decision based on, or affected by, these influences, rather than in the best interests of Lifeline Australia and may also lead to the disclosure of information across Lifeline Australia and Lifeline Members.
  • Lifeline Australia’s preference is that Members of the LLEAG do not accept roles on the Lived Experience Advisory Group of any other Lifeline Members.
  • The decision as to whether a conflict exists is at the absolute discretion of Lifeline Australia. Lifeline Australia will communicate the decision and reason for the decision to the individual in a timely fashion.
  • Any conflicts of interest (actual, perceived, or potential) must be reported through the Conflict-of-Interest Disclosure form.
  • Where a conflict arises, the member may be asked to step aside from related discussions or decisions.

Remuneration

Rates

LLEAG members are classed as contractors for tax and superannuation purposes.

Remuneration for members is in accordance with the Renumeration Tribunal’s Determination for Part-time Office Holders at the time of a member’s engagement as amended from time to time. Appendix 2 outlines the payment schedule as of Jan 2026; the payment schedule should be updated in accordance updates by the Tribunal.

Members will be reimbursed for their meeting participation time, and preparation time if required.

Payment Process

Members will email tara.hunt@lifeline.org.au (CC finance@lifeline.org.au) with an invoice including the following details, as soon as reasonably practical, after LLEAG meetings:

a. Name

b. Amount (Calculated by conditions in Appendix 2)

c. Bank account details

d. ABN

The invoice will be paid by the Lifeline Australia Finance department in the next billing cycle (fortnightly) into the nominated bank account.

Taxation arrangements

All members are responsible for ensuring that they comply with their legal obligations and any requirements to inform relevant Australian Government departments such as Centrelink, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Australian Tax Office of any income received, including payments received from Lifeline Australia for LLEAG activities.

Reimbursements for expenses

Reasonable costs will be reimbursed to LLEAG members for travel costs incurred attending face-to-face meetings.

Flights and accommodation to attend face-to-face meetings are to be prearranged and booked by Lifeline Australia.

The following travel costs may be reimbursed for travel to and from the meeting location:

  • Taxi, Uber etc.
  • Train, ferry, bus
  • Parking

A ‘Claim for Reimbursement of Expenditure’ form must be submitted along with copies of tax invoices for each expense requiring reimbursement. As a not for profit and funded by The Commonwealth members are requested to select the most reasonable option to travel to meeting destinations.

Review

Membership, the Terms of Reference and governance will be reviewed and updated for future management of the group on the annual review date of these Terms of Reference.

Appendix 1

Reciprocal commitments based on the Lifeline Lived Experience Framework

Principle What this means for Lifeline Australia How the principles apply to LEAG
SAFE AND STRENGTHS-BASED We actively recognise and draw on the strengths, capabilities, and expertise of lived experience contributors. We create opportunities for people to contribute in ways that reflect their skills, knowledge and lived insight. We use processes and practices that support safety and respect for everyone involved in engagements including both lived experience contributors and Lifeline Australia staff. We use processes and practices that promote diversity and support safety for priority groups, including people with lived experience of violence and abuse and First Nations people. We bring our strengths, knowledge and experiences to all our work and value the strengths, knowledge and expertise of other LLEAG members and LLA staff. We create a safe space grounded in mutual respect and shared purpose so that all members of the LLEAG can freely express their insights and perspectives, even when they diverge from our own.
INCLUSIVE We offer a variety of ways for people to contribute to Lifeline Australia, tailored to different needs and preferences. We use practices and processes that are accessible and appropriate for people with diverse backgrounds and experiences, e.g. First Nations people, people with lived experience of violence and abuse, youth, CALD people, people from regional and rural areas. We ensure our engagement mechanisms include a diversity of lived experience voices, and we actively seek out and listen to stories that reflect the full spectrum of experiences — including those that are complex, challenging, or not often heard — without stigma or judgment. We take collective responsibility for creating an inclusive and accessible environment that welcomes and respects diverse forms of knowledge and experience. We speak from our own lived experience, recognising the limits of our own understanding and promoting the voices of others representing different perspectives.
COLLABORATIVE We collaborate with lived experience contributors to improve outcomes for people we serve. We approach other lived experience contributors with goodwill and a learning mindset, viewing differences and conflict as opportunities for growth, understanding, and improvement. We acknowledge power dynamics and embed shared decision-making into our ways of working. When shared decisions aren’t possible, we are open and transparent about why. We use practices and processes supported by overarching governance structures that promote co-development and shared decision making with people with lived experience. Where co-development and shared decision-making is not required, we have practices and processes for clearly defining the types of engagement and level of participation expected. We collaborate with each other and Lifeline Australia staff in the spirit of our common ambition to improve outcomes for the people we serve. We approach other lived experience contributors and Lifeline staff with goodwill and a learning mindset, viewing differences and conflict as opportunities for growth, understanding, and improvement. We recognise that power imbalances exist not only between the LLEAG and LLA staff but also within the LLEAG and actively seek to redress these imbalances to enable genuine collaboration.
PURPOSEFUL We establish clear intent and expectations for each lived experience group. This may involve defining an engagement spectrum (e.g. IAP2 public participation spectrum). We share relevant information and clarify the purpose and scope before meetings to support meaningful and informed collaboration with lived experience contributors. We intentionally draw on the insights and understanding gained from our lived experience to maximise the opportunity for our contributions to have a positive impact. We actively cultivate our knowledge of the contemporary issues and priorities of significance to people with lived experience through ongoing association with our community and sector networks. We seek to clarify the purpose of each engagement if it is unclear to ensure we have the information, knowledge and support we need to contribute meaningfully.
PROMOTES AGENCY We support individuals to decide how and when they contribute to Lifeline with practices and processes that embed safety, respect and dignity, including: - Equipping people with lived experience with sufficient information so that they may make an informed decision on whether they participate for each engagement and mechanism. - Ensuring consent ahead of each engagement or every instance where an individual’s story will be used - Acknowledging and actively addressing power dynamics by creating flexible opportunities for contribution - Supporting staff and lived experience contributors to develop capabilities for effective and meaningful engagement. We demonstrate self-awareness about when and how we choose to engage and contribute to proactively support our own safety and wellbeing.

Appendix 2

Renumeration

Remuneration for members is consistent with the Renumeration Tribunal’s Determination for Part-time Office Holders at the time of their engagement.

The Renumeration Tribunal rates as of Jan 2026 are outlined below. The rate of pay will be updated in accordance with the current schedule at the time of engagement.

Time-period Amount (plus GST)
Less than 2 hours $190
Two hours to less than three hours $286
Three or more hours (max 8 hours) $476

Members will be provided payment for their services including preparation time. For example, for attendance at the in-session LLEAG meetings members will be paid for 1-hr preparation plus 1hr meeting (i.e. $286 plus GST).

For example, if a member attends 45 minutes of a 1.5hr meeting they will be reimbursed for that time (i.e. $190 plus GST).