Consumer insights are essential when planning, designing and improving cancer control initiatives. By partnering with consumers, we ensure our work is grounded in real experiences and leads to meaningful improvements for people across NSW.

Consumers contribute valuable advice, ideas and feedback on:

• Improving cancer experiences and outcomes
• Informing decisions, initiatives, and strategic planning through lived experience
• Supporting a consumer and carer-centred culture
• Identifying what is important from a consumer, carer and community perspective
• Contributing to consumer and carer resources

How we work with consumers

At the Cancer Institute NSW, we partner with consumers through our:

• Consumer Network
• Community and Consumer Advisory Panel

Cancer Institute NSW Consumer Network

The Consumer Network is a diverse group of people who contribute their perspectives and lived experience to support the Cancer Institute NSW.

Members can choose how and when they get involved. They may be invited to participate in activities such as consultations, surveys or short-term projects, depending on their interests and availability.

This flexible approach allows members to contribute in a way that suits them, while helping the Institute bring consumer perspectives into programs, initiatives and research.

We invite people from across NSW to get involved.

You may be interested in joining if you:

• Live in NSW
• Have lived experience of cancer (as a patient, survivor, carer or family member), or
• Are interested in contributing your perspective to improve cancer outcomes

If you are interested in joining or would like more information, please complete the Expression of Interest form  or contact: CINSW-ConsumerAdvisors@health.nsw.gov.au

Cancer Institute NSW Community and Consumer Advisory Panel

The Community and Consumer Advisory Panel is a dedicated group of consumers who work closely with the Cancer Institute NSW over a defined term.

Panel members provide strategic advice to inform the Institute’s plans, frameworks and key initiatives. They bring a strong understanding of the cancer system and consumer engagement and play an ongoing role in shaping our work.

Members are appointed for a two-year term and meet quarterly. They may also contribute to additional activities, such as working groups, co-design projects, and targeted consultations, to ensure our work remains responsive to the needs of people affected by cancer.

Membership for the current 2026–2028 term is now complete. Future opportunities to join the Panel will be shared when available.

The Consumer and Community Engagement Framework

file_downloadConsumer and Community Engagement Framework (PDF)

The purpose of this framework is to enable meaningful consumer and community involvement at all levels of cancer control.

This framework has been guided by the National Framework for Consumer Involvement in Cancer Control (PDF), as well as consultation with a range of consumer and community groups. 

The framework sets out how we will: 

• Understand consumers’ experiences of cancer services
• Understand community expectations in relation to cancer control
• Facilitate opportunities for consumers to be involved in the development of cancer control programs and services
• Ensure consumer engagement reflects the diversity of people at risk of cancer
• Download our Consumer and Community Engagement Framework (PDF).
   

More information

• Elevating the Human Experience – Our guide to action for patient, family, carer and caregiver experiences. The Guide explains how NSW Health work to ensure every person feels heard, respected and supported throughout their healthcare journey.
• All of Us is a high-level guide to respectful consumer, carer and community engagement across NSW Health. It does not replace consumer or community engagement frameworks used by local health districts or NSW Health agencies. For more information and tools to support collaboration, please visit the All of Us webpage. 
• For more information about consumer engagement at the Cancer Institute NSW, or to find out how to participate, please contact Kylie Ide, Consumer Engagement Advisor, at CINSW-ConsumerAdvisors@health.nsw.gov.au