Consumer Advisory Groups
Consumer advisory groups, also known as patient or service user advisory groups, are forums or committees consisting of individuals who have firsthand experience with a particular service, organisation, or healthcare system. These individuals are often referred to as "consumers," "patients," or "service users." Consumer advisory groups play a crucial role in shaping and improving the services, policies, and programs provided by healthcare institutions, social service agencies, and other organisations. The key characteristics and functions of consumer advisory groups include:
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Lived Experience Representation: Members of consumer advisory groups have personal experience as recipients of the services or programs provided by the organisation. This firsthand experience gives them unique insights and perspectives that can be invaluable in identifying areas for improvement.
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Feedback and Input: Consumer advisory groups provide feedback and input to the organisation about their experiences with the services received. They may share their thoughts on what works well, what could be improved, and any barriers they encountered.
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Quality Improvement: These groups assist organisations in identifying opportunities for quality improvement in their services or programs. They may highlight areas where the organisation excels and suggest ways to address shortcomings.
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Policy and Program Development: Consumer advisory groups often contribute to the development and revision of organisational policies and programs, ensuring they are more user-friendly and responsive to the needs of the individuals they serve.
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Collaboration and Partnership: Consumer advisory groups foster a partnership approach to service development and delivery by collaborating with the organisation's staff and management.
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Empowerment and Advocacy: Through their involvement in advisory groups, consumers become empowered advocates for their needs and those of others facing similar challenges.
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Cultural and Diversity Considerations: Consumer advisory groups may help organisations consider cultural and diversity factors to ensure that services are accessible and responsive to diverse populations.
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Ethical Considerations: Advisory groups may review and offer input on ethical considerations related to the organisation's operations and service delivery.
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User-Centred Decision Making: Consumer advisory groups contribute to a user-centred approach to decision-making, ensuring that the organisation's services align with the needs and preferences of the individuals it serves.
Consumer advisory groups can be found in various settings, including hospitals, mental health centres, community health organisations, social service agencies, and non-profit organisations. Their contributions help to create more patient-centric and user-friendly services and programs that better address the needs and experiences of the individuals seeking support from these organisations.
Aboriginal Lived Experience Advisory Group Consumers of Mental Health WA
Consumers of Mental Health WA (CoMHWA) is seeking applications from Aboriginal people with a lived experience of mental health or Social and Emotional Wellbeing issues to become a member of our new Aboriginal Lived Experience Advisory Group.
Advisory Group
Australian National University
The Advisory Group engages the broader consumer and carer community in the process of research, and helps to develop research agendas and priorities. The Advisory Group engages the broader consumer and carer community in the process of research, and helps to develop research agendas and priorities.
The Australian and New Zealand Mental Health Association Advisory Board Committee
The Australian & New Zealand Mental Health Association Advisory Board Committee is comprised of mental health professionals and advocates from across Australia and New Zealand. This includes representatives linked to universities and educational institutions, public and private mental health services, patient, consumer and carer groups, non-government service organisations, local and national governments and professional service providers
Centacare's Consumer Advisory Committee
Centacare’s Consumer Advisory Committee plays an important role in improving services and support for Centacare clients and the communities we serve. The group brings together people with a range of perspectives on the way we provide services and engage with our community. The Centacare Consumer Advisory Committee is made of up to 10 members from diverse backgrounds and includes people of different ages, gender, socio economic backgrounds and cultural traditions. This group reflects the communities we serve and includes people with a disability, older people, people who experience mental illness and people who have experienced domestic and family violence; as well as current or past consumers and their family members or carers. At least one position on the advisory group is made available for a person who identifies as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander. In order to ensure diverse representation it may be that some consumer interests are represented by members of peak bodies.
Consumer Advisory Board - Beacon Mental Health
CAB is a group of consumers that have lived experience of mental illness and/or substance use issues that gathers every month to discuss ways to make Beacon Mental Health a more friendly and a trauma free environment so that we can give consumers a better experience. CAB meets quarterly and provides feedback about Beacon processes, procedures, issues with accessibility, environmental concerns, what outcomes the agency should be tracking, and privacy issues. CAB also provides input on documents and forms that are distributed to and utilized by consumers.
Consumer Advisory Bodies - Australian Government Department of Health and Aging
Consumer advisory bodies provide valuable feedback to governing bodies about the quality of care and services they deliver. They help build a person-centred culture committed to quality aged care. Providers must provide opportunities for people receiving aged care to join a consumer advisory body. A consumer advisory body collects feedback from members and shares it with providers. Joining lets you share your concerns and ideas with those in charge of your care. Your provider must consider all the feedback they receive when making decisions. They must also let the consumer advisory body know how they considered the feedback. This helps to improve the services and care you and others receive.
Consumer Advisory Committee - Northwest Private Hospital
The Consumer Advisory Committee plays a key role in improving the experiences and care we provide our patients. They engage with patients and their support network to give the Chief Executive Officer feedback about what the hospital does well and to offer suggestions for improvement. Their Consumer Advisory Committee gets feedback from:
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The suggestion box and feedback cards at the Consumer Advisory Desk and Noticeboard
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Hosting committee member ‘meet and greet sessions’, advertised on the weekly inpatient group program
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Ensuring that committee members are available to talk to patients
All feedback that is received is compiled and presented at North West Private Hospital’s Quality and Risk Committee meetings by a Consumer Advisory Committee member. The Quality and Risk Committee looks at the suggestions and provides a report that identifies all consumer advisory feedback as well as a response to feedback raised. This report is released several times a year with the latest version being available at the Consumer Advisory desk.
Consumer Advisory Committee - NSW Regional Health Services
The Consumer Advisory Committee consists of eight community members from across our region. Our members represent diverse community and consumer perspectives of lived experience with health conditions and/or the use of health services. The committee provides guidance on strategies related to consumer and community involvement in health research translation to improve healthcare and health outcomes in rural and regional NSW.
Consumer Advisory Committee - Epworth Healthcare
The Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) plays an important role in ensuring we partner with our patients, consumers and the community in the planning, delivery and improvement of our services. The CAC works to provide a voice for the community and consumers in strategic decision making and governance at Epworth HealthCare.
Consumer Advisory Committee - South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
The Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) focus is on issues that are specific to the associated facility / group of facilities, including hospital and community health services. The Consumer Advisory Committee is comprised of a group of up to 12 consumer representatives and is facilitated by an elected Chair and Secretariat.
Consumer Advisory Group - Ta Tahu Hauora
The Te T?h? Hauora consumer advisory group te k?hui mahi ng?tahi was established to carry out the following functions.
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Advise the board and chief executive on strategic issues, priorities and frameworks from a consumer perspective.
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Identify key issues for consumers and organisations, such as:
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responsiveness of existing providers to patients/consumers/families/wh?nau
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strategic direction of Te T?h? Hauora programmes
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measuring and examining safety and quality.
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Engage with the Te T?h? Hauora consumer network k?tuinga kiritaki, national and international clinical advisory groups and the wider health and disability sector on our consumer engagement activities and interests.
The Consumer Advisory And Volunteer's Committee - Aurora Toronto Private Hospital
The Consumer Advisory and Volunteer's Committee plays an important role in the operation of our hospital by offering a consumer perspective to organisational decision making. The committee meets every second month with representatives of the hospital's Executive Team, providing suggestions, ideas and feedback on patient information and organisational projects such as the hospital's models of care, service development, marketing and business development opportunities.
Consumer Advisory Group - Peninsula Health
Peninsula Health has a number of Community Advisory Groups (CAGs) that bring the consumer and community perspective, experiences and concerns into Peninsula Health. Each CAG has been established in response to the needs of our community. Membership of the groups includes consumers, carers and key Peninsula Health staff. Some groups have representatives from other service providers. The CAGs enable two-way communication between Peninsula Health and the broader community. As a Consumer Advisor you will provide advice on specific matters of consumer, carer and community interest or concern. You will also help to inform the community about what is happening at Peninsula Health. Each CAG provides opportunity for information sharing, robust discussion and learning. The CAGs report to the Peninsula Health Community Advisory Committee.
The Consumer and Carer Action Group (CCAG) is a group of consumers and carers of the Far West Local Health District (LHD) Mental Health Drug and Alcohol (MHDA) services. The group provides feedback, lived-experienced perspectives and engages in codesign of resources as well as service planning, delivery and evaluation of MHDA services. The group was formed in 2013 and has been engaged since, growing over time and influencing key changes to service planning and delivery. Some CCAG members have been involved since the group’s establishment and others joined in 2020. Ages range from people in their 20s to their late 60s. The group is diverse and passionate which is what makes it so successful. The LHD provides funding to support catering, resource creation and paid participation for CCAG members.
Consumer and Carer Action Group - Far West Local Health District
The Consumer and Community Advisory Group (CCAG) provides strategic advice to National Health and Medical Research Council's (NHMRC) Chief Executive Officer on health matters and on health and medical research matters from a consumer and community perspective. CCAG plays an important role in providing a health consumer and community perspective on a diverse range of NHMRC business, including advice on consumer involvement in health and medical research.
Consumer and Community Advisory Group - Nationa Health and Medical Research Council
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Consumer, Carer and Community Advisory Panels - Grand Pacific Health
Consumer, Carer and Community advisory panels are an important part of our work at Grand Pacific Health (GPH). The input from our panels makes sure the consumer’s voice is woven through the work we do and how we go about it. Representatives are invited to share valuable input on local issues affecting consumers and their carers in our local community, reflect on consumer experiences and, importantly, be a voice for the community to support decisions and planning at GPH.
Gold Coast Primary Health Network Advisory Group
Gold Coast Primary Health Network (GCPHN) works closely with public, private and non-government organisations in the primary health care sector and across the acute care sector to improve the health and well-being of the Gold Coast. GCPHN is building ‘one world class health system’ for the Gold Coast’ and we know we can’t do it alone. To achieve this goal, we work closely with diverse groups, sharing knowledge and skills, working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our primary care system, ensuring it meets local needs.
Lived and Living experience Advisory Group - Mental Health Victoria
Mental Health Victoria recognises the value of embedding lived and living experience across all aspects of its operations. In recognition of this, the Lived and Living Experience Advisory Group (LLEAG) was established to provide MHV with strategic advice and guidance on how to realise the vision and objectives in its Strategic Plan by incorporating lived and living experience into the planning and execution of its work and projects. The LLEAG is an integral and valued contributor to Mental Health Victoria's operations. It brings together a group of lived and living experience advocates to collaborate with our staff and Board in order to achieve our goals.
Lived Experience Advisory Board - Centre for Society and Mental Health
The Centre’s Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB) is a group of people with indirect and/or direct experiences of disabling barriers, neurodivergence, mental distress, mental illness, trauma, caring/supporting people in mental distress, and/or ref(using) mental health services including experiences of iatrogenic harm. Using an intersectional social justice approach, we seek to ground the Centre’s direction and wider conversations about mental health in our lived experiences.
Lived Experience Advisory Group -ERMHA365
ermha365 has a strong commitment to consumer engagement and participation in helping to shape, refine and improve all our services. Their Consumer and Carer Participation Framework includes a Lived Experience Advisory Group reporting directly to our Board, which includes people with lived experience of mental health and disability who provide expert advice on the planning and review of services, and provide oversight of consumer feedback and satisfaction.
The Living Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) is co-chaired by two experts of mental health services in their capacity as a “user of services” and a “carer”, bringing two different perspectives of access, delivery, and receipt of services.
Living Experience Advisory Group - Association of Mental Health Providers
The Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland (MHLEPQ) is committed to meaningful engagement with people with a lived experience of mental health services, and as appropriate, other members of the community as equal partners in its work. The values that underpin our work are safety, respect, intentional, integrity and outcomes. We commit to:
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interacting in a culturally and psychologically safe way
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working inclusively, compassionately, and patiently
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acknowledging mistakes, apologising and learning from them
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seeing the whole person in any interaction
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courageous curiosity about the strengths, resilience and capabilities of others
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interacting in a culturally and psychologically safe way
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working inclusively, compassionately, and patiently
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acknowledging mistakes, apologising and learning from them
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seeing the whole person in any interaction
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courageous curiosity about the strengths, resilience and capabilities of others
Lived Experience Advisory Group - Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland
Lived Experience Advisory Group - Mental Health Commission - Government of Western Australia
The Mental Health Commission is seeking to appoint 12 members with Lived Experience expertise, as a consumer or family member/significant other with a lived experience of mental health and/or alcohol and other drug issues, harms or service use across the systems to join the newly created Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG). The Lived Experience Advisory Group is an advisory body which will provide independent, evidence-informed, practical and achievable advice to the new Mental Health, Wellbeing, and Alcohol and Other Drugs Joint Leadership Group, in relation to strategic reform priorities and objectives of the Commission. The group will bring together a collective group of diverse individuals that have the opportunity to voice matters on behalf of all consumers, families, and significant others.
Lived Experience Advisory Group - Office of Chief Psychiatrist South Australia
The LEAG is a statewide committee providing advice and recommendations on the key statutory functions of the OCP and the departmental responsibilities of the Mental Health Strategy and Planning Branch (MHS&P). The LEAG members work collaboratively with the OCP and MHS&P to ensure the expertise of the group provides advice on improving the safety and quality of mental health services in SA. The LEAG ensures consumers' and carers' perspectives are embedded in the design, implementation, and evaluation of mental health policies, programs, and services.
The Lived Experience Advisory Group (LEAG) is for First Nations Persons to advise the MHELPQ on cultural safety, generally and specifically in the following ways:
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Co-create a MHLEPQ Cultural Safety in Mental Health Care Position Statement
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Further advocacy for systemic cultural safety, based on the MHLEPQ’s submission to the Queensland Parliamentary Inquiry into the Mental Health system
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Advise the MHLEPQ operational team on the most appropriate ways for First Nations Persons’ voices to be heard in other LEAGs and representative committees
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Advise the MHELPQ on best practice cultural safety within policies and practices.
Lived Experience Advisory Group - Cultural Safety Mental Health Lived Experience Peak Queensland
Lived Experience Advisory Panel - The Blackdog Institute
The Lived Experience Advisory Panel provide perspective and advice on a range of Institute-related activities including research priorities, research methods, implementation and delivery of programs and services, and dissemination of research and information. The LEAP group meet 4 times per year and provides:
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Consumer and community perspectives on the research conducted at the Black Dog Institute
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Feedback on the methodology, implementation and dissemination of research projects
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Evaluation of acceptability of project protocols
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Guidance on how to raise awareness of mental health issues in the community
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Reports of experiences regarding pathways to care and suggestions on where the gaps are
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Perspectives on the use of e-health technologies for mental health including specific apps and online tools
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Advice on project documents including consent forms, participant information sheets, study resources
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Advice on the use of social media including the Institute website, Twitter, Facebook
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Feedback on material designed for community dissemination
Mental Health Consumer Advisory Group - Freemantle Hospital
The Mental Health Consumer Advisory Group (MH CAG) is a group of consumer and carer representatives established by the Community Advisory Council to:
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Support consumers, families and carers to provide feedback to the Fremantle Hospital Mental Health Service (FH MHS)
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Work in partnership with FH MHS staff to ensure that the consumer voice is heard, acknowledged and valued in the development and delivery of mental health services
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Report gaps in consumer partnership to the Fiona Stanley Fremantle Hospitals Group Mental Health Service Safety Quality and Risk Committee
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Support consumers and carers to access mental health advocates
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Facilitate FH MHS safety and quality initiatives
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Provide representation on relevant mental health committees.
New South Wales Consumer Advisory Group - Pineapple Media Australia
Pineapple Media Australia was commissioned by the NSW Consumer Advisory Group to produce a short documentary series about the Mental Health Perceptions and Experiences of Services (MH-CoPES) Project. The series was produced to help consumers and service providers in public adult mental health in NSW to work together and to improve the services provided. The series introduced the MH-CoPES Framework to viewers, and focused on two aspects of Mental Health Services in NSW; the staff and the clients.
Oregon Consumer Advisory Council
Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 430.073 established the Oregon Consumer Advisory Council (OCAC). The council advises the Director of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) on the provision of behavioral health services in Oregon. The council may review, evaluate and provide feedback on all site reviews related to mental health services provided by OHA. The OHA Director appoints 15 to 25 consumers to the council, striving to balance representation according to geographic areas of the state and age. OHA provides administrative support to the OCAC.
The Statewide Consumer Advisory Committee (SCAC) is a diverse group of emerging leaders throughout the state who are experiencing recovery in their own lives. They are committed to having open, honest and compelling discussions with the leadership of the Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services (DMHAS) around what a recovery and wellness-oriented system is about and what it is not. SCAC has been greatly instrumental in working with the Division on many aspects of the Transformation including focus groups to identify outcomes and other elements of service delivery.
Statewide Consumer Advisory Committee - State of New Jersey Department of Human Services
The Mental Health Tribunal has a Tribunal Advisory Group (TAG) that provides opportunities for consumers, family, carers and supporters with lived and living experience to:
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shape and participate in the Tribunal’s work
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advise and assist the Tribunal to maximise opportunities for consumer and carer engagement and participation in the activities of the Tribunal
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advise and provide input into the Tribunal’s operations and strategic planning.
Tribunal Advisory Group - Mental Health Tribunal
The WQPHN Consumer Advisory Committee (CAC) is a sub-committee of the WQPHN Board. Members share their lived experiences and insights, helping guide WQPHN towards innovative solutions to the healthcare challenges faced by our diverse population. Committee members bring valuable community perspectives to the table, advocating for better health outcomes and contributing to the WQPHN Population Health Needs Assessment and consumer engagement strategies. Representing all commissioning localities within the WQPHN region, they ensure a diverse and inclusive approach to addressing regional health needs. WQPHN committee members come from all commissioning localities within the WQPHN region, ensuring a diverse and inclusive approach to tackling regional health needs.
WQPHN Consumer Advisory Committee - Western Queensland Primary Health Network
Consumer advisory groups are a core engine of Advocacy and Leadership Opportunities within the lived experience movement. They represent one of the most direct pathways for people with lived experience to influence systems from within—shaping services, policies, and decision-making in real time. The Lived Experience Hub has mapped 46 consumer advisory groups, offering a powerful snapshot of how these structures are emerging across the system. Each group reflects a shift away from passive consultation toward active co-design, co-production, and shared governance.
These are not symbolic roles.
They are embedded leadership mechanisms—spaces where lived experience becomes strategy, where insight becomes policy, and where systems begin to reorganise around the realities of the people they serve. Across your broader framework, consumer advisory groups sit at a critical intersection: voice becomes structured, experience becomes expertise, influence becomes embedded. Taken together, they signal a movement that is no longer just advocating from the outside—but stepping inside the system and reshaping it from within.
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