Miles Doing What Matters: Caring for Queensland’s carers with $1 million mental health boost

• Nine organisations will share in $1 million of Miles Government 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 new Miles Labor Government is investing $1 million to support the 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.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development, Lance McCallum:

“The sector has told us their biggest workforce challenge is supporting the wellbeing of their workers, so this initiative does what matters for Queensland’s hardworking care workers.

“By investing in the wellbeing of our caregivers, we’re not only ensuring the sustainability of this vital sector but also strengthening the fabric of the community as a whole.”

“Investing in mental health is investing in our community’s wellbeing, and this initiative is a clear demonstration of the new Miles Government's commitment to the Queenslanders that care for us all.

“By prioritizing the mental health and wellbeing of our frontline workers, we can ensure a sustainable and thriving health and community services ecosystem.

Quotes attributable to Jobs Queensland Board Chair, Jim Varghese AM: 

“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.”

Quotes attributable to CEO of Queensland Council of Social Services, Aimee McVeigh:

“QCOSS congratulates the nine project recipients that have won funding to enhance their work in achieving life-changing outcomes for Queenslanders.

“The community services sector is made up of extraordinary people who are working in an environment where demand for their support and labour shortages are taking a toll on their wellbeing.

“We are excited about these projects easing mounting pressure on our workforce by strengthening the capacity of employers to support the wellbeing of workers."

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 report: https://jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/jq-events/qcc-workforce-forum/.  

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/

ENDS

Media contact:   

Minister McCallum: Andrew Churchill – 0472 645 871 
Jobs Queensland: Sophie Lee – 0431 709 634 
QCOSS: Tony Fabris – 0481854101