Caring for Queensland’s carers with $1 million mental health boost
- Nine organisations will share in $1 million of funding to deliver projects that support the wellbeing of health and community services workers.
- Delivered through the Queensland Care Consortium, the projects will support the mental wellbeing of frontline workers who face complex challenges in their roles caring for Queenslanders.
- The projects in the latest round of funding will assist employers in the sector to develop and retain a skilled workforce in a tight labour market.
Recognising the critical role of the health and community care sector in Queensland's future, the funding will support the state's workforce, specifically addressing the growing danger of psychosocial trauma.
This funding – part of a broader $2.5 million initiative – is not merely a response to a growing workforce, but a recognition of the complex challenges faced by those who care for Queenslanders.
The Queensland Care Consortium, a partnership between key stakeholders, has been instrumental in identifying and addressing the sector's most pressing needs.
This investment directly addresses the sector's rapid growth, projected to employ over 30% of all new workers in the state by 2025-26.
This collaborative approach ensures that the initiatives funded are directly relevant to the experiences of those on the ground.
The funding will support a diverse range of projects, all aimed at enhancing the psychosocial wellbeing of workers from all backgrounds. This holistic approach reflects the understanding that a healthy and supported workforce is essential for providing quality care to all Queenslanders.
Projects include culturally responsive and trauma-informed training through a ‘Supporting Staff to Support Mob’ program by the Institute for Urban of Indigenous Health and its partner network of community-controlled health services in Southeast Queensland.
Another project by the LGBTI Legal Service seeks to minimize the effects of vicarious trauma on LGBTIQA+ practitioners in the community legal and domestic, family and sexual violence sectors.
Funding for the Mackay Regional Council for the Social Development Care Alliance aims to connect disability and aged care workers to mutual support within the Isaac, Mackay, and Whitsunday regions.
The Queensland Care Consortium invests in our skilled and valued health and community service workers by driving solutions that can be shared across the sector.
Round two, and its focus on psychosocial wellbeing for this workforce, will help to attract and retain the best people to care for Queenslanders.
Further information:
Managed through the Queensland Care Consortium – a partnership between Jobs Queensland, CheckUP Australia, Queensland Council of Social Service and The Services Union – funded projects will support staff working with Queenslanders from culturally and linguistically diverse, low socioeconomic, regional or First Nations communities.
Round two of Queensland Care Consortium funding aims to support psychosocial wellbeing of health and community service workers. It builds on round one which funded projects helping to attract, develop and retain staff in these industries more broadly.
An industry forum in November 2023 identified psychosocial wellbeing as the most critical issue facing the health and community service sectors. Read the QCC Forum Outcomes report (PDF, 3.2MB).
The Queensland Care Consortium is funded by the Queensland Government through Jobs Queensland as part of the Queensland Government’s Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.
For more information about the Queensland Care Consortium and a list of funded projects, visit: https://jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/current-partnerships/queensland-care-consortium/