Austin Health includes consumer partners in important decision making about our services. Consumer partners are volunteers who have experience:

• using services provided by Austin Health, or
• supporting a person who has used services provided by Austin Health.

If you would like to share your thoughts and ideas on how our services can be improved, apply to become a consumer partner.

Who we are looking for

 We are looking for people who:

• can provide patient, consumer, carer and/or community perspectives, not just personal experience
• are interested in improving patient care
• can positively work together with health professionals
• are 18 years of age or over.

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds and encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to apply.

What you will be doing

As a consumer partner:

• you may be involved in discussions to improve the services we provide at Austin Health. This could include being a member on a committee or reviewing how we do things
• we will discuss your interests and previous experience, to help us find the most appropriate and meaningful areas to participate in
• there will be opportunities to be involved onsite (pending COVID restrictions) as well as virtually.

Ways you can participate

We know that consumer participation leads to improvements in the quality, safety and accessibility of our services. Your involvement can help us to meet the needs of the community we serve.

You can participate in many different ways, such as:

• becoming a member of a committee
• joining a project working group
• providing guidance on training staff or in patient simulations
• supporting new consumer partners
• collecting feedback from patients about their experience
• providing feedback in focus groups or surveys
• reviewing patient information and providing feedback (including website, written and video content).

We appreciate that your time is valuable. You can let us know the level of involvement you are comfortable with.

Community Advisory Committee

The Austin Health Community Advisory Committee (CAC) is an advisory committee to the Austin Health Board which operates under the Victorian Public Health Services Community Advisory Committee guidelines.

The committee play a critical role in assisting our health service to include consumer and community views in our operations, planning and evaluation. The CAC also advocates to the Board on behalf of the community.

Find out more about our Community Advisory Committee (CAC).

How to apply

We would be delighted for you to apply to join us as a consumer partner.

Before you apply

You will need to prepare the following information for your application:

• other ways you have previously been involved with Austin Health
• why you want to be a consumer partner with Austin Health
• your experience with the healthcare system
• your links to the community and any professional organisations
• the skills you have to meet the selection criteria in the consumer partner role.

If you have a resume (CV), you should also have this ready for uploading.

When you apply

To apply, you will need to:

1. Go to our online volunteer application system.
2. Create an account (or login) to access the application form.
3. Complete all the required questions.
4. Submit your application form.

After you apply

We will review your application and get in contact with you (usually within two weeks).

• Apply to become a Consumer Partner

  Sign up or login to our volunteer application system.

Contact us

If you have any further questions about becoming a consumer partner please reach out to the Patient Experience Unit.

Patient Experience Unit

Phone: 03 9496 3564

Email: consumerpartners@austin.org.au

Location

Patient Experience Unit
Austin Hospital
145 Studley Road
Heidelberg VIC

View location map