Open Consultations
Surveys, Consultations and Representative roles – your voice makes a difference!
By speaking up about your experiences, you can inform decision making and service design, and create positive change for you, other carers and the whole community.
We invite you to have your say in the following open opportunities. If you wish to raise a specific issue, you can email the Advocacy team below.
Researchers from Deakin University are seeking unpaid carers from across Australia to participate in a research study exploring the experiences of people who care for an adult living with a musculoskeletal condition.
The research aims to better understand carers’ experiences and preferences to help inform future health policy and support services.
Who can participate?
You may be eligible if you:
- Are aged 18 years or older.
- Live in Australia.
- Currently provide unpaid care to an adult family member or friend living with a musculoskeletal condition, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic back or neck pain, fibromyalgia, sciatica, scoliosis, or a similar condition.
What’s involved?
- Complete one online survey (approximately 15–20 minutes).
- Participants who complete the survey will receive a $10 digital gift voucher as a thank you for their time.
For more information, please contact Nanati Alemu at s224284089@deakin.edu.au.
Researchers from the University of Wollongong are seeking parents and carers of children who experience suicidal thoughts and behaviours to participate in a research study exploring the support they receive from family, friends and their wider social networks.
The findings will help improve understanding of carers’ experiences and contribute to the development of resources to better support families in similar situations.
Who can participate?
You may be eligible if you:
- Are a parent or carer of a child who experiences suicidal thoughts and behaviours.
- Support a child who is currently in Year 5 or Year 6 of primary school.
Please note: This study is focused on the experiences of parents and carers supporting a child and is not intended for people experiencing suicidal thoughts themselves.
What’s involved?
- Complete a 30-minute anonymous online survey.
- You may also choose to take part in an optional 30-minute phone interview.
The study welcomes participants from all backgrounds, including First Nations peoples and LGBTQIA+ community members.
Interested?
Learn more or register your interest by completing the online survey:
If you support a family member or friend who receives in-home aged care, you are invited to help shape the future of aged care research in Australia.
Researchers from Monash University and Silverchain are seeking input from carers, family members and people receiving in-home aged care to identify the most important research priorities for home care services. Your experiences can help guide future research and improve the support available to older Australians and those who care for them.
Who can participate:
• Carers and family members supporting someone who receives in-home aged care
• People receiving in-home aged care
Time commitment: Approximately 10–30 minutes
Participants can choose to enter a prize draw to win one of ten $50 eGift cards.
If you would like a paper copy of the survey, require support to participate, or have any questions, contact the National Aged Care Research Network at ncha.nacren@monash.edu or call (03) 9904 4822.
This study has been approved by the Monash University Human Research Ethics Committee (Project ID: 50152).
Women with Disabilities ACT (WWDACT) is inviting community members to help shape the 2026 Neurodivergent Adult Symposium in Canberra.
The survey will gather feedback on the topics, speakers, activities, accessibility requirements and supports that would make the Symposium meaningful and inclusive for neurodivergent adults. The feedback will be used to design the program, select an accessible venue and plan supports for attendees.
The project is funded by the ACT Government and forms part of a broader initiative that also includes a Neurodivergent Parenting Group and short courses for neurodivergent young people.
Who can participate?
You can complete the survey if you:
• are aged 16 years or older (or will be by November 2026);
• live in the ACT or surrounding region, or would consider travelling to Canberra for the Symposium; and
• are neurodivergent, think you may be neurodivergent, live with neurodivergent people, or work with or support neurodivergent adults.
A formal diagnosis is not required to participate.
About the survey – The anonymous survey takes approximately 15–25 minutes to complete. You can skip any question, and depending on your responses, you may not be shown every question.
Other ways to get involved – If you would prefer to share your ideas in another way, you can register your interest in participating in a small focus group, arrange a one-to-one conversation with WWDACT, request a paper or accessible version of the survey, or provide feedback by email or phone.