Education Minister announces Fitness Passport agreement for staff wellbeing

• Fitness Passport will give Education Department staff and their families discounted access to health and fitness facilities
• Almost 3500 staff and families in department’s South East Region already signed up
• 95,000 employees throughout Queensland will now be eligible
• The exclusive program offers choice of hundreds of fitness facilities near home and work at a discounted rate all on the one pass.

All Department of Education, including teachers, principals, teacher-aides, office staff and cleaners and their families will now be able to access the health and wellbeing initiative developed by Fitness Passport.

Fitness Passport provides access to a choice of fitness facilities close to a staff member’s home and work at a discounted rate.

The program has been a huge hit already on the Gold Coast and Scenic Rim with 3490 signed up members in the department where it has been available since 2018.

Now a new agreement between the Education Department and Fitness Passport offers Education employees throughout Queensland and their families the chance to participate in the program.

It provides choice from an extensive network of facilities with financial savings up to 50%, unlike traditional gym memberships which typically grant access to one facility.

Most Queensland Government departments have contracts with Fitness Passport, which involves no fees or charges for the participating agency.

Providing access to Fitness Passport is in line with the Department of Education’s Staff Wellbeing Framework and the Queensland Government’s wider community objectives.

Quotes attributable to Education Minister Di Farmer:

“Exercise is such a great way to be healthy and happy and I am pleased to announce the expansion of the Fitness Passport to every Education Department employee in Queensland.

This is an opportunity for teachers, principals, teacher-aides, school office staff and cleaners to access discounted access to fitness facilities near where they live or work.

Our government is committed to providing a positive work environment and supporting teachers and other staff as they educate and support their students.

“The program complements current health and wellbeing initiatives already provided by the department to support staff including access to a fitness app and online resources for health and wellbeing.

“Fitness Passport provides an opportunity for staff and their families to improve physical wellbeing and for the department to demonstrate support for their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.

“The Fitness Passport operating model enables staff to benefit from discounts with gyms and fitness centres across Queensland and Australia, reducing potential cost barriers for staff and family members to access a variety of fitness and physical activity options.” 

Media contact: Tim Auguston 0427 090 563