Hi there,

Welcome to the July edition of CheckIN.

Earlier this month, staff from CheckUP's Brisbane office attended the Musgrave Park Family Fun Day to celebrate NAIDOC Week. Staff in Cairns and Caloundra also celebrated at local events around the state.

CheckUP congratulates Sabrina Kerr, Gateway Schools Manager, on her 20 years at CheckUP. Read more below on how Sab has successfully contributed to the organisation and shaped CheckUP's culture over the years.

CheckUP invites you to the next QPHCN event on 27 August, with the theme "Improving access to health services for regional, rural and remote Queensland." Find out more and register below.

Coming up, CheckUP is also hosting a Reportable Conduct Scheme webinar, and a NDIS BIZConnect online information session. Learn more in the articles below.

To access FREE business advice and support services, meet our Industry Workforce Advisors below. 

The Gateway to Health Industry Schools Program - Health team are looking for sponsors for the Health Gateway Forum being held on 21 October in Brisbane. Learn more below and don't forget to register for this exciting event.

Below you can also sign up to CheckUP's ‘Access for All: Disability Awareness for Health Providers’ online course.

Above: Tony de Ambrosis, CheckUP CEO

CheckUP offers a FREE Disability Friendly Business Basics online course. Sign up to build a more inclusive business.

Interested in becoming a CheckUP Member? Visit our membership benefits web page to discover member benefits, including free access to QPHCN events, an open invitation to submit articles to this newsletter, and more.

Stay up to date with our initiatives by connecting on our socials and visiting the CheckUP website.

Thanks again for your ongoing support.

Best wishes

Tony de Ambrosis
Chief Executive Officer
CheckUP

CheckUP celebrates NAIDOC week in Brisbane

The CheckUP team celebrated NAIDOC Week at The Musgrave Park Family Fun Day. The CheckUP team is pictured alongside the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council team on the left. 

The Family Fun Day showcased Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional dancing, culture, heritage, entertainment and exhibits.

CheckUP staff also attended NAIDOC Week celebrations in other locations, including Cairns and Caloundra. The Wakai Waian Healing team and CheckUP celebrated NAIDOC Week in Caloundra and are pictured on the left as well.

NAIDOC Week celebrates 50 Years of Deadly and the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Get ready for our next QPHCN event on 27 August

Register for our next QPHCN event on Thursday, 27 August, focusing on the theme "Improving access to health services for regional, rural and remote Queensland". 

Access to quality healthcare shouldn’t mean a long drive or extended time away from home, daily life, friends and family. This is what we will explore at the event and how we can improve access to health services for regional, rural and remote Queenslanders. 

Attend to hear valuable insights from a range of knowledgeable speakers.

Access for All team to attend the 18^th National Rural Health Conference

CheckUP's Access for All Program Manager, Amanda Frier, and General Manager - Engagement and Business Development, David Millichap, will attend the 18^th National Rural Health Conference in Adelaide this September! There they will facilitate an interactive workshop with practical strategies, insights and ideas to improve healthcare access for people with disability in rural communities.

Why attend?

• Meet leaders and changemakers shaping the rural health sector.
• Gather practical insights you can implement. 
• Share your ideas and contribute.
• Find out how the Access for All online course can make a difference in your workplace.

CheckUP congratulates Sabrina Kerr on 20 years!

Sabrina has been part of the CheckUP team since June 2006!  We celebrate her ongoing commitment, many achievements, and the vibrancy she brings to all she meets.

For the last 5 years, Sabrina has helped the Queensland community as the Health Gateway Schools Manager. She works across the state to bridge the gap between secondary schools and the health industry, with a particular focus on regional, rural and remote communities.

Read the blog post to learn more about Sabrina's ongoing contribution to CheckUP.

Get a FREE workforce health check with CheckUP's Industry Workforce Advisors

CheckUP’s Industry Workforce Advisors (IWA) work alongside businesses and communities to strengthen workforce planning and create sustainable employment pathways. 

Sectors we assist include:

• First Nations healthcare and social assistance
• Health and
• Community Services.

Get a FREE workforce health check today.

This program is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government.

Access for All: Disability Awareness for Health Providers online course + resources

Did you know - CheckUP’s Access for All: Disability Awareness for Health Providers online course also comes with resources to help implement what you have learnt?

Developed with input from people with disability, health providers and medical educators, the resources include a step-by-step process to improve accessibility, accessibility checklists, feedback tools and action plans.

The resources support health providers and practices to create more inclusive, person-centred healthcare environments, improve appointment accessibility, track progress and implement meaningful accessibility improvements. They provide a clear, step-by-step approach that can be easily integrated into everyday practice and are FREE to download. 

View the Access for All resources.
Complete the Access for All online course. 

Get involved with the Health Gateway Forum

Become a Sponsor 
Champion the future health workforce by sponsoring the Health Gateway Forum. This highly anticipated event brings together educators, industry leaders, and partners to strengthen pathways into health careers for Queensland students. Sponsorship offers valuable brand exposure and meaningful engagement with key stakeholders across the sector. Opportunities are limited and filling quickly. View the Sponsorship Prospectus.

Contact Kat Murray from the Health Gateway team at kmurray@checkup.org.au or complete the form in the Sponsorship Prospectus.

Register for the Health Gateway Forum
Attend the Health Gateway Forum to connect with schools, share workforce insights, explore emerging industry trends, and strengthen pathways that inspire the next generation of health professionals. The Forum offers valuable networking and collaboration opportunities. Secure your place today and be part of the conversation driving future health careers.

New cancer prevention program for the far north

CheckUP is bringing cancer screening closer to home across Cairns, the Hinterland, Torres Strait and Cape York.

Funded by Northern Queensland PHN, the North Queensland Cancer Prevention Program will increase access to cervical and skin cancer screening, strengthen referral pathways and grow local skills, working with local health services and Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations to reach under-screened communities.

Open your doors to more customers and build a stronger community

CheckUP's FREE Disability Friendly Business Basics micro-credentials online course offers practical skills to make business services more inclusive and welcoming.

People with disability, and their friends, family, and colleagues, constitute a significant group of consumers.

To build confidence, expand your customer base, and create a business where everyone feels they belong, complete the FREE course today!

This program is proudly funded and supported by the Queensland Government.

The Gateway Team facilitates a First Nations student healthcare immersion tour

Recently, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students from Heatley Secondary College enjoyed a six-day healthcare immersion tour designed to provide valuable exposure to regional and rural healthcare services, remote communities, and culturally informed on-Country learning experiences.

The students explored a range of healthcare settings before taking part in a cultural immersion program at Gracevale Station on Iningai Country in Turraburra.

Register for the Reportable Conduct Scheme workshop

After the success of the recent Queensland Child Safe Standards Online workshop, CheckUP, in partnership with BBSafe, will host an online Reportable Conduct Scheme workshop in early August. 

Reportable Conduct Scheme workshop
👉 Tuesday 11 August 2026 | 9am-11am
From 1 July 2026, key organsiations working with children are required to have systems in place to respond to and report on allegations of reportable conduct involving workers.

This workshop will provide practical steps your organisation can take to meet its obligations.

Free Small Business support programs in Queensland

CheckUP’s NDIS Business Connect supports new and existing sole traders and small businesses providing services to people with disability.

Join the next NDIS BizConnect online event on 27 July for a discussion about the NDIS.

• Discover what services are on offer for small businesses.
• Look at current NDIS reforms and where things stand and the impact on your business and participants.
• An open floor to share how you are feeling about it all

Attend the event to learn, share and connect to grow sustainable, quality businesses that meet the needs of people with disability.

This program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government. 

RSV maternal vaccinations 

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common, highly contagious virus that infects the nose, throat and lungs. RSV spreads between people when an infected person produces small water droplets while talking, coughing and sneezing.

To protect newborn babies against severe RSV disease, a free and safe maternal vaccine (Abrysvo) is recommended for all pregnant women, from 28 weeks. Alternatively, babies up to eight months of age can receive a dose of Nirsevimab if their mother missed the RSV vaccine while pregnant.

In the tropical north, where RSV circulates year-round, both options should be considered.

Book your free flu vaccination

Free flu vaccines are available for Queenslanders aged 6 months and older, until 30 September 2026. Plus, free nasal spray flu vaccines are also available for children aged two to 17 years.

Help stop the spread of the flu by getting vaccinated. It provides the best protection, along with practising good hygiene, like washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick.

Ask your GP, pharmacist, or vaccine provider about the flu vaccine today!

New funding opportunity for health sector innovation

Researchers and industry partners are encouraged to apply for the upcoming TAFE Centre of Excellence Applied Research Grants program, with this round spotlighting allied health, mental health and nursing. The program aims to boost workforce capability and address critical skills needs by supporting innovative training solutions across the health and community services sectors.

AusAlert to mobile phones on 27 July

The Australian Government will be testing a new national warning system (AusAlert) to mobile phones on the 27 July 2026. AusAlert will help keep communities informed and prepared during local and national emergencies.

To get ready, a test message will be sent to all compatible mobile devices in Australia at 2:00pm, Monday, 27 July 2026. If your device is on, it might vibrate and play a loud, siren-like sound for ten seconds. A suite of materials has been developed to inform community members which includes Easy Read and Auslan. 

Nominate for the Queensland Mental Health Awards

Nominations are officially OPEN for the 2026 Queensland Mental Health Awards!  

Do you know someone making a positive impact on mental health across the state? Now’s the time to celebrate them.

✅ You don’t need to work in the mental health sector to be eligible.
✅ Nominations are open to individuals, organisations, and communities.
✅ All award categories include prize money to continue the important work!

Nominations close on Monday 3 August.

Make a difference in the mental health sector - complete the QAMH Impact Survey

Queensland's community mental health organisations make a real difference in people's lives. Help make that impact visible by completing the 2026 QAMH Impact Survey.

Responses will inform QAMH's annual Impact Report, helping to demonstrate the value of community mental health services and strengthen advocacy for greater investment, recognition and system reform. They'll also determine how impact is measured, what's working well, and where more support is needed.

Please complete the survey by Friday 7 August. 

Take the OneNQ survey to help improve the North Queensland healthcare workforce 

North Queensland healthcare workers are invited to provide feedback on various workforce needs in the region. Help build the right education, connection, wellbeing, support and opportunities by completing the OneNQ survey.

Shape healthcare and build a healthy workforce.

Take part to go in the draw to WIN 1 of 10 fuel vouchers.

New Country to Coast HealthPathways website

Registrations are now open for the next round of Clinical Societies, exploring the health impacts of a changing climate and what it means for primary care. In August the series has events in 11 locations across Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay and Central Queensland.

A changing climate is already affecting communities across our region, from heat-related illness and bushfire smoke to the mental health toll of disaster and recovery.

This series brings health professionals together to learn, connect and build climate resilience in primary care, with practical ways to prepare for and respond to a changing environment.

👉 Dinner is included and the series is RACGP and ACRRM CPD accredited.

Help shape rural CPD in 2027 by completing the Education Needs Assessment survey

Health Workforce Queensland’s (HWQ) annual Education Needs Assessment (ENA) Survey is NOW OPEN. Medical practitioners in Queensland are invited to contribute their insights to help shape the 2027 CPD workshop program. 

CPD workshops are designed specifically for remote and rural doctors and are accredited by RACGP and ACRRM. Relevance comes from practitioner feedback, and this survey is how HWQ ensures their training reflects the real challenges and skills needed on the ground. 

The survey is open until 3 August 2026.

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day is on 4 August

On 4 August, we celebrate the strength, identity, and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.

Every child deserves to grow up connected to family, community and culture. Children are our future, and we stand with them as they grow and learn. 

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is on 9 August

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is a global event that recognises and promotes the rights and cultures of Indigenous Peoples. 

CheckUP joins communities around the world in honouring Indigenous peoples’ cultures, knowledge systems and contributions.

9 August is a day to advocate for rights, equity and self-determination.

2026 culturally significant dates calendar

View the CheckUP website for a list of key dates that celebrate and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture.

Understanding and acknowledging Australia’s shared history is key to achieving reconciliation. Being aware of these dates can offer an opportunity to deepen our understanding and foster connections in our communities.