Peer support service - how it works

We are a peer-to-peer counselling and health support service for nurses, midwives and students of the professions. We’re here to help you understand your health or wellbeing challenge and take confident steps toward improving your health. 

Peer support is when people with shared experiences listen, understand, and offer guidance during challenging times. It’s built on mutual respect and empathy.

Our program is designed and delivered by experienced nurses and midwives, offering support grounded in both professional expertise and real-life understanding of the pressures of the job.

Our program is confidential, independent and free (funded by the Commonwealth Government). We are available across Australia, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (local time), excluding public holidays. 

Health challenges we tackle 

Nurses, midwives and students reach out to us for support with a wide range of health and wellbeing challenges, including:

• Work-related stress
• Burnout
• Psychological distress
• Mental health challenges
• Occupational violence
• Substance use
• Family violence
• Emotional distress associated with a notification to the regulator

These are just some of the issues we can help with.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, or dreading your next shift we are here for you.

Our people – who will you talk to  

When you book an appointment with our service, you will speak to an experienced nurse or midwife who has been trained to provide peer support. You won’t need to explain the unique challenges of the profession and our workplaces; we understand.

Process – what to expect 

Everyone will have a different need and experience of our service. We talk to you about your health or wellbeing challenge and support you to make a plan and get to the bottom of you symptoms. 

When you request an appointment, we allocate you a nurse or midwife peer support clinician. They sit with you in a confidential 1:1 session to learn about your needs. They hear your story, without judgment, and help you to unravel the complexity of your concerns. 

Goals are set together, and steps worked out towards improving your health. You choose the direction and pace of your plan, and we are alongside you. 

There is no limit to the number of sessions you can have (although the average is 6-8 sessions). 

With your consent, we may refer you to other services to support your health and wellbeing. 

Compliant, high-quality, responsible

We observe the requirements of the privacy policy and Medical Treatment Act, make sure participants understand their rights and responsibilities, and handle complaints promptly and fairly. Read our policies for peer support service participants