About Chronic Pain AustraliaChronic Pain Australia is the national consumer organisation dedicated to supporting and advocating for people living with chronic pain.

Our peer support programs provide safe, welcoming opportunities for people living with chronic pain to connect with others who understand, reduce isolation, build confidence in self-management and feel better equipped to navigate life with pain.

About the roleThe Women’s Pain Support Group Facilitator – Goldfields will lead a welcoming, inclusive and supportive monthly peer support group for women living with chronic pain in the Goldfields region.

This is a lived-experience peer support role. The Facilitator helps create a space where participants can connect with others, share experiences, learn from one another and explore practical approaches to living well with chronic pain.

The Facilitator is not expected to provide counselling, medical advice or clinical treatment. Instead, they guide conversations, support respectful peer connection and help participants access credible information, resources and appropriate support when needed.

The role is particularly suited to someone who understands the realities of living with chronic pain and would like to use that experience to support others.

Key responsibilitiesThe Volunteer Facilitator will:

- Facilitate a monthly Women’s Pain Support Group meeting in a welcoming, respectful and inclusive manner.
- Create an setting where participants feel heard, valued and able to contribute at their own level of comfort.
- Encourage peer connection and mutual support while maintaining appropriate group boundaries.
- Prepare discussion topics, activities or resources for meetings using Chronic Pain Australia’s facilitator framework and resources.
- Support conversations about chronic pain self-management, wellbeing, connection and navigating healthcare.
- Encourage participants to share experiences without presenting individual experiences as medical advice.
- Identify and invite appropriate guest speakers, with support from Chronic Pain Australia where required.
- Welcome new participants and help them understand the purpose and expectations of the group.
- Respond to reasonable enquiries relating to the group and its meetings.
- Share relevant Chronic Pain Australia resources and information with participants.
- Promote the support group within the local community where appropriate.
- Build relationships with relevant community organisations and services to increase awareness of the group.
- Complete required attendance records, surveys or basic program administration following meetings.
- Maintain participant privacy and confidentiality.
- Follow Chronic Pain Australia policies, procedures, safeguarding requirements and volunteer code of conduct.
- Escalate concerns relating to participant safety, wellbeing or inappropriate behaviour to the appropriate Chronic Pain Australia staff member.
- Participate in facilitator training,



check-ins and ongoing development opportunities.

Peer support boundariesPain Support Groups are peer support services rather than clinical or therapeutic services.

Facilitators must not

- diagnose health conditions;
- recommend or advise participants to begin, stop or change medications or treatments;
- provide individual medical, psychological or legal advice;
- represent themselves as providing professional healthcare within the group;
- provide crisis counselling or assume responsibility for managing an individual participant’s healthcare; or
- promote a particular treatment, product or practitioner.

Where a participant requires additional support, Facilitators will be provided with guidance about appropriate referral and escalation pathways, including Chronic Pain Australia’s Painlink service. About youWe are looking for someone who is compassionate, approachable and comfortable bringing people together.

Ideally, you will:

- identify as a woman and have lived experience of chronic pain;
- have reached a point where your own pain is sufficiently well managed to allow you to safely support others;
- have completed a persistent pain management program or developed a strong understanding of pain self-management;
- understand the value of peer support and lived experience;
- be a good listener who can respond with empathy without feeling the need to “fix” another person’s situation;
- communicate respectfully with people from different backgrounds and experiences;
- be comfortable facilitating conversations involving sensitive or emotional topics;
- be able to maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries;
- be organised and able to undertake basic meeting preparation and administration;
- be reliable and able to commit to regular monthly meetings;
- support an inclusive environment that welcomes diverse experiences, identities, abilities and backgrounds;
- be willing to learn and work within Chronic Pain Australia’s peer support framework; and
- be passionate about reducing the isolation experienced by people living with chronic pain.

Previous group facilitation or community volunteering experience is valuable but is not essential. Training and support will be provided. Lived experienceLived experience is central to Chronic Pain Australia’s peer support model.

We recognise that lived experience brings insight, empathy and understanding that cannot be gained through formal training alone.



Facilitators are encouraged to draw on their own experience where helpful while recognising that every person’s experience of chronic pain is different.

Facilitators should be comfortable sharing selectively and appropriately rather than feeling required to disclose their entire personal health story.

RequirementsThe successful volunteer will be required to:

- complete Chronic Pain Australia’s facilitator orientation and training;
- undertake any required screening or Working with Vulnerable People/Working with Children checks applicable to the role;
- become a member of Chronic Pain Australia;
- comply with Chronic Pain Australia policies and procedures;
- maintain confidentiality and appropriate peer support boundaries; and
- commit to the role for approximately 12 months where possible.

Time commitmentThe group generally meets once per month. Facilitators should also allow a reasonable amount of time each month for:
- meeting preparation;
- communication with participants;
- organising topics or guest speakers;
- basic administration and reporting; and
- occasional training or facilitator meetings.

We understand that volunteers may also live with chronic pain. The role is designed to allow reasonable flexibility, and Chronic Pain Australia encourages facilitators to communicate early when their health or circumstances affect their capacity to volunteer. Training and supportChronic Pain Australia will provide:
- facilitator orientation and training;
- a structured Pain Support Group facilitator framework;
- meeting resources and suggested discussion topics;
- chronic pain and self-management education resources;
- administrative forms and templates;
- guidance around peer support boundaries and difficult situations;
- support with sourcing suitable guest speakers;
- ongoing contact and support from the Chronic Pain Australia team;
- relevant organisational insurance coverage while undertaking approved volunteer activities; and
- a certificate of service and reference where appropriate.

What you will bring to the communityChronic pain can be deeply isolating. Sometimes the most valuable thing someone can hear is that another person understands. As a Pain Support Group Facilitator, you will help create a regular place where women living with pain can connect without having to explain or justify their experience.

Through meaningful peer connection, shared learning and compassionate facilitation, you will help participants feel less alone and more confident in navigating life with chronic pain.

Our approachChronic Pain Australia is committed to creating environments that are safe, inclusive, accessible and respectful.

We value lived experience and welcome people from diverse cultural backgrounds, disability experiences, sexualities, gender identities, ages and life circumstances.

We recognise that volunteers living with chronic pain may have fluctuating capacity and aim to support sustainable volunteering that respects both the needs of the community and the wellbeing of our volunteers.

📌 Volunteer Pain Support Group Facilitator - Goldfields Women's Health Centre (Brisbane)
🏢 Chronic Pain Australia
📍 Brisbane