Consumers Leading in Governance (CLIG) returns in 2025

In the 2025 iteration of the CLIG Program, VMIAC in collaboration with the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA), is delivering a comprehensive theoretical and practical training program designed to equip Lived Experience professionals with the skills and confidence to participate in boards, governance committees, and high-level decision-making spaces.

CLIG 2025 is a carefully designed governance training program that equips consumer leaders with the knowledge, skills, and experience to contribute meaningfully to mental health governance. The program features a threefold approach: governance leadership training by ICDA, consumer leadership integration in governance by VMIAC, and industry placements offering real-world insights into governance and board meetings.

Participants will first build a strong foundation in governance through ICDA and the consumer-led training before deepening their understanding with industry mentorship and placement opportunities. Upon completion, participants will receive the Certified Community Director micro-cert.

With continued investment from the Victorian Department of Health, CLIG is set to expand and enhance consumer governance leadership across Victoria. VMIAC remains committed to amplifying Lived Experience voices in governance and ensuring that mental health systems reflect the needs, rights, and aspirations of consumers. 

Program Highlights

The CLIG Program 2025 is designed to provide participants with:

1. Nationally Recognised Governance Training

The participants will be completing their theoretical learning through the ICDA Certified Community Director course. This course includes 7 self-paced modules that cover critical governance and leadership topics. It is delivered online, allowing participants to complete it at their own pace, but must be finished before the placement begins. Further information about the ICDA Community Director Course can be found here.

2. Consumer led training sessions organised by VMIAC

1. Consumer Perspective: This training will explore the consumer movement, the emergence of consumer leadership, and alternatives to biomedical mental health models. Participants will learn how to contextualise lived experiences within social, political, and environmental frameworks to drive systemic change.
2. Indigenous Governance: This training introduces Indigenous governance principles and the uniqueness of two-way governance. Participants will explore concepts of leadership, decision-making, and cultural safety in governance within the mental health sector.
3. Human Rights: This training will cover key human rights principles in mental health law and their application across governance, workforce and system management. It will also explore current practices and opportunities for improvement in the reformed mental health system.

Important Milestones

For more information:

• Read the applicant guide
• Read the program overview