From being heard to having a say: putting lived experience into the decisions that shape services

Sydney, New South Wales – BEING - Mental Health Consumers, in partnership with Aventedge, will present the inaugural Unleashing Lived Experience Forum on 17–18 November 2026 in Sydney, bringing together leaders, commissioners, researchers and lived experience advisors to examine how lived experience can play a meaningful role in shaping the services, systems and decisions that affect people’s lives.

The Forum will open with a keynote address from The Honourable David Hurley AC CVO DSC, Australia’s 27th Governor-General. His address, Embedding Lived Experience in System Reform, will set the scene for two days of discussion on the role of lived experience in shaping services, systems and decisions.

With 90% of participating speakers bringing lived and/or living experience to the conversation, the Forum will provide a cross-sector platform for lived experience voices alongside people responsible for shaping policy, services and systems across Australia.

The Forum will focus on moving beyond consultation to explore how lived experience can inform governance, service design, policy, workforce development, data, accountability and system reform.

The program brings together perspectives across mental health, disability, ageing, housing, employment, social services, education, and alcohol and other drugs, recognising that the systems surrounding people can have a significant impact on their lives and wellbeing.

Featured speakers include:

Giancarlo de Vera, CEO, BEING - Mental Health Consumers

·      Rosemary Kayess, Disability Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission

·      Prudence Walker, Disability Rights Commissioner, NZ Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission

·      Cassandra Goldie, CEO, Australian Council of Social Service

·      Ruby Riethmuller, Deputy Commissioner (Lived Experience), NSW Mental Health Commission

Across two days, the Forum will explore practical questions including:

·      How do we move from consultation to shared decision-making?

·      What does meaningful co-design look like in practice?

·      How can lived experience shape governance and service delivery?

·      What does a stronger peer workforce look like?

·      How can data better reflect what matters to people using services?

Day two will feature eight specialised breakout streams, with discussions focused on practical approaches to co-design, lived experience leadership, service delivery, workforce development and system change.

The Forum will also support participation through bursaries for people with lived experience and honorariums for lived experience speakers.

For further information, the full program and speaker details, visit the Forum website.

About BEING - Mental Health Consumers

BEING - Mental Health Consumers is the independent NSW peak organisation working for and with people living with mental health issues and emotional distress. BEING works to ensure lived experience voices are heard by decision-makers, service providers and the wider community, with a strong focus on co-design, peer-led approaches and human rights.

About Aventedge

Aventedge designs and delivers specialised B2B conferences and training courses that support learning, networking and professional development across sectors. Each program is developed through extensive industry consultation and independent research and is delivered by recognised experts, ensuring events address critical community and business challenges in a structured learning environment.

Aventedge acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work, and pays respect to Elders past, present and emerging.

For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact:

Ava EdwardCommunications ManagerAventedge
ava.edward@aventedgemail.com
T: +61 2 8378 4334