Lived Experience Advisor

• Location: Sunshine Hospital
• Employment Type: Fixed Term (12 months), Part-Time (8 hrs per fortnight)
• Salary: Community Development Worker Class 2B, Year 1 to Year 2 + Superannuation + Salary Packaging

About the role:

Western Health is seeking a Lived Experience Advisor (LEA) to join an important co-design project within our Dementia Management Unit (DMU) at Sunshine Hospital.

This role sits within our Lived Experience Advisor Program (LEAP), which supports meaningful consumer participation across the organisation. LEAP recognises that lived experience is essential in shaping better healthcare outcomes.

As a Lived Experience Advisor, you will work alongside clinicians and staff to ensure the perspectives of consumers, families, and carers are embedded into service design and improvement.

You will be supported by the Operations Manager and Lived Experience Advisor Lead and will contribute to a defined project using a co-design approach.

About the project:

The Dementia Management Unit provides specialist care for people living with dementia who often have complex needs. Many families and carers supporting these patients experience significant stress.

This 12-month project will review and redesign the DMU Model of Care within the Aged General Medicine & Subacute Services division, with a focus on improving experiences and outcomes for:

• People living with dementia
• Their families and carers

Key responsibilities:

• Contribute as an active member of project and working groups
• Provide a lived experience perspective to guide service improvement
• Participate in co-design activities and discussions
• Support a person-centred, inclusive approach to care
• Identify opportunities to improve patient, family, and carer experiences

About you:

• Lived experience as a person living with dementia, or as a family member/carer
• A passion for improving healthcare experiences
• Confidence to share your perspective in group settings
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse team
• Availability to commit to approximately 8 hours per fortnight

Click here for the Position Description

About Western Health

Western Health is one of the largest healthcare providers in Victoria, caring for a vibrant, diverse and rapidly growing community of one million people in Melbourne’s western suburbs. 

With more than 13,000 staff, Western Health delivers 800,000+ occasions of care every year, providing high-quality, person-centred care across every life stage.

We provide a combination of hospital, community-based, at-home and in-reach services to aged, adult and paediatric patients and newborn babies. Specialties include oncology, renal, mental health, women’s health and maternity, chronic diseases, geriatrics and cardiology.

We have remarkable strengths in chronic disease, complex care and developing innovative and sustainable healthcare solutions. Our experience at the coalface of healthcare delivery for some of Australia’s most culturally and socioeconomically diverse and vulnerable populations provides us with unique insights into the most pressing health challenges.

Western Health operates four acute public hospitals: Sunshine Hospital (including Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s), Footscray Hospital, Williamstown Hospital and Bacchus Marsh Hospital. We also operate Sunbury Community Hospital, Sunshine Mental Health and Wellbeing Centre, Melton Health and Community Services, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Grant Lodge Residential Aged Care in Bacchus Marsh. Western Health also provides the primary healthcare service at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre, a women’s prison located in Ravenhall.

Why join us?

Compensation and benefits

• Competitive salary packages aligned with market standards.
• Health and wellbeing programs, including flexible work arrangements.
• Scholarships and grants to support your continuous learning journey.

Learning and development opportunities

• Access the Western Health Learning Academy (WHA) for personalised learning pathways.
• Professional growth programs, including postgraduate studies and clinical education.
• Mentorship and career support.

Community impact and inclusion

• Make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives through compassionate care.
• Join a workforce that champions diversity and inclusion.
• Engage in community wellbeing initiatives and groundbreaking healthcare research.

Organisational culture and environment

• Thrive in a collaborative, compassionate and innovative team environment.
• Be part of a culture that celebrates continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare.

Ready to make an impact?

If you’re passionate about improving healthcare through lived experience, we’d love to hear from you. Simply click on the “apply” button and follow the prompts.

If you are currently employed at Western Health, please ensure you sign in through the 'Employee Login' via the external Careers Page or access the Careers Page via the intranet before applying.

Closing date: 11:59pm on 30 April 2026.

Enquiries: For further information about this role, contact Rebecca Barbara via Rebecca.Barbara@wh.org.au.

Western Health is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining diversity in our workforce. We encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Western Health is committed to providing a safe environment for the children and young people who are involved in our services, sites and operations. We follow and abide by all legislative requirements to keep children and young people safe.

All appointments are made subject to a satisfactory Police Record Check, an Immunisation Status Clearance and a Working with Children Check (if applicable).

Western Health is committed to the psychosocial safety of all applicants and employees.

Western Health does not accept unsolicited resumes/applications from recruitment agencies.

Western Health