STATUS: These are draft terms of reference published for comment in November 2025.

1.   Background

NAPWHA published the Australian HIV Peer Support Standards in March 2020. The standards formalised existing understandings of best practice for HIV Peer Support in Australia and provide guidance for member organisations on developing, sustaining and evaluation peer support programs and services. Standards are essential for the effective self-regulation of peer support service provision in Australia. They promote consistent quality of service provision that is responsive to complex and changeable needs in communities living with HIV. NAPWHA offers workplace learning as our key strategy for promoting adherence to the peer support standards while recognising that each different service is responding to a different mix of needs and issues and needs the freedom to adapt its approach to meet these needs.

During the process of formulating the standards, participants expressed interest in NAPWHA developing national training for HIV Peer Navigators. HIV Peer Navigators are a particular kind of peer support worker, who use their lived experience, workplace training and interpersonal skills to support other people living with HIV (PLHIV) to navigate a complex system of HIV treatment and social services. NAPWHA received funding from the Commonwealth Government and an unrestricted educational grant from Gilead Sciences to develop the HIV Peer Navigation Training Program. The program is now in its fifth year of operation as part of the NAPWHA Learning initiative, which develops and delivers training, workforce development, community of practice and research partnerships.

The Learning Reference Group is being reconvened in 2026 to provide expert guidance and community input into the redevelopment of the HIV Peer Navigation Training Program. Guidance will be sought on adapting the program approach in response to the emergence of ‘artificial intelligence’ (large language model or ‘LLM’) tools which have made it possible to complete assessment tasks without fully absorbing the content of written learning materials. In response we aim to shift the delivery format and assessment strategy to focus on face-to-face delivery and interview-based assessment, carried out on a yearly or biannual basis with a smaller, synchronous cohort of participants. The Learning Reference Group will also function as the conference advisory committee for the HIV Peer Practice Conference, which will be held for a second time in 2026, and will give input on the development of a fifth HIV Peer Support Standard that covers HIV Peer Navigation practice.

Promoting a standards-based approach

2.   Establishment

NAPWHA convenes the Learning Reference Group to give input and feedback over the range of NAPWHA Learning initiatives. The group is established as an operational reference group and is managed by the NAPWHA Secretariat and at the direction of the Executive Director. These terms of reference and any amendments to them must be approved by the Executive Director.

3.   Terms of reference

The Learning Reference Group will provide insights and practical expertise to support the successful delivery of NAPWHA Learning initiatives. Its members will be invited to give input on:

• Learning needs and requirements (established and emerging)
• Learning and assessment strategy
• Broad outlines of training content
• Assessment and evaluation strategies

When feedback on the in-depth content of a particular learning activity is required, the Learning Reference Group may nominate a small working group (up to 3 participants) with relevant expertise to review and give detailed feedback on the materials.

5.   Authority

The Learning Reference Group may provide input based on professional and lived experience as well as research and educational expertise, but does not have authority to make decisions on behalf of NAPWHA unless expressly authorised to do so by the Executive Director.

6.   Membership

• The Learning Reference Group will comprise 6-8 members and will be chaired by the Senior Project Officer for NAPWHA Learning.
• All members are appointed for a one-year term with option to extend by mutual agreement.
• The Executive Director may at any time co-opt any person to serve as a member of the Reference Group in order to fill a vacancy, or to provide particular expertise.
• Any person’s appointment as a member of the Reference Group may be revoked by the Executive Director at any time and for any reason.

7.   Duties

The workload will vary over the life of the project and will include approximately 8-10 monthly meetings over the life of the project, as well as requests for input on draft content in between meetings. The NAPWHA Secretariat will minimize the workload by keeping meetings focused and consultation requests specific and targeted. To this end, when appropriate we may approach individual members and outside reviewers with specific expertise to give feedback on in-depth materials rather than seeking input from the entire group.

8.   Confidentiality

All materials, documents, deliberations, discussions, case notes, file notes, minutes and communications, undertaken or prepared by Reference Group members in connection with Reference Group activities or disclosed to a Group member in connection with those activities are strictly confidential (Confidential Information). Confidential Information may only be used by a member for and in connection with authorized activities during the term of the appointment of the member and members must not disclose this information without express approval from NAPWHA.