CheckUP Connect eNews | Edition 5 | October 2025

How do you build a resilient health workforce for the future?

Health Industry Workforce Advisor, Alina Khalid, and First Nations Industry Workforce Advisor, Carissa McAllister, attended the Strategic Workforce Planning Conference to unpack this critical question facing every health and community service provider in Queensland.

They returned not with complex theories, but with powerful, practical ideas. Here are the top three lessons they have bought back to help you shape the future of your team. 

Meet Andrew Hamilton

CheckUP has engaged Andrew Hamilton from Social Scaffolding to provide free one-on-one workforce planning support to community service organisations. Andrew brings commercial and NFP sector experience, specialising in growth, development and strategies for organisations.

Health in Mareeba

CheckUP’s Health Industry Skills and Jobs Advisor (ISJA) Michelle Phillips, Health Industry Workforce Advisor (IWA) Alina Khalid, and Gateway Regional Coordinator Donna Glover, recently took part in the Mareeba Health Workforce Alliance. CheckUP is contributing workforce supports and opportunities, while also listening to the lived realities of Mareeba’s health providers and communities.

Alina and Michelle also recently presented at the Mareeba Allied Health Network (MAHN), sharing how CheckUP supports allied health providers at each stage of the workforce journey.

Presentation in Rockhampton

CheckUP attended the Central Queensland GP Conference in Rockhampton, co-hosted by Country to Coast PHN, Mater, and Hillcrest Rockhampton Private Hospital. Our General Manager Workforce, Vicky Meyer, and Alina presented to over 100 GPs and practice leaders.

On the road again

The Industry and Workforce team continue to actively connect with organisations across the state. We recently held workshops in Townsville, Toowoomba and Hervey Bay and travelled to Mareeba, and Rockhampton and provided industry tours all over Southeast Qld to engage, connect and collaborate with local communities. 

We'd love the opportunity to contribute to your local community - our team is committed to creating meaningful connections and delivering value.

Download more information about Workforce and Industry Programs here: checkup-workforce-industry-programs-flyer-digital.pdf

What is the cost of not being disability friendly?

"My legs don't work, but my credit card does." – Lisa Cox, Disability Advocate & Ad Exec

Did you know that 1 in 5 Queenslanders live with disability? That’s more than 900,000 potential customers, employees, and community members whose experiences of your business matter. Becoming a disability friendly business isn’t just about doing the right thing – it’s about unlocking real business value.

Workshops were conducted in Townsville, Toowoomba and Hervey Bay to showcase the micro-credentials, with lots of great feedback and ideas on how to promote widely to businesses. 
 

Wrapping up a successful School Career Expo season

The Health Gateway team has wrapped up a successful School Career Expo season and is now turning its focus to industry engagement and student information sessions.

Highlights included hospital tours at Buderim, Brisbane Private and St Andrew’s hospitals with over 100 South East students exploring departments such as PACU, Allied Health and ICU. In North Queensland, students gained experience through placements at St Vincent’s Aged Care in Townsville and an industry tour in Cairns with TAFE Queensland.

The team is now preparing for more events in Term 4 and the 3rd Annual Health Gateway Awards.

Remote Indigenous Women’s Shelter Network Forum, Cairns

CheckUP’s Industry Workforce Advisor, First Nations Health and Social Assistance, Carissa Mcallister joined the Assistant Commissioner Jenna Roberts, shelter and community leaders at the Remote Indigenous Women’s Shelter Network Forum to share insights on domestic, family and sexual violence and to listen, learn and reflect on the unique challenges and proposed solutions emerging from across Far North Queensland, Cape York, the Gulf of Carpentaria, and the Torres Strait.

One of the powerful themes was the call for place-based, culturally informed responses, and the importance of respecting and compensating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders for their cultural knowledge and leadership.

Managing Engagement and Rostering for Workforce Efficiency SCHADS Webinar 3

CheckUP Connect and Effective HR hosted a three-part webinar series on workforce engagement and compliance. Recordings are now available:

• Webinar 1: Unpacking SCHADS – Compliance essentials
• Webinar 2: Navigating the complexity of the SCHADS Award
• Webinar 3: Managing engagement and rostering for workforce efficiency

Last chance to register an event for Queensland Mental Health Week

It doesn't have to be big or formal. An event could be as simple as a morning tea, a walk in the park or a cooking session at home. What matters is taking time to connect with yourself, with your community or with nature.

By registering, you will join hundreds of other events across Queensland that are helping to build connection and reduce stigma around mental illness. Every event, no matter how small, can make a difference.

Impacted by NDIS PAPL

Have the latest NDIS Pricing Arrangements and Price Limits (PAPL) affected your business and/or the people you support?

Your on-the-ground insights are crucial for our advocacy work. This short survey is your chance to share how the changes are impacting your business and clients.

Your voice helps us build a stronger case for small businesses and sole traders in the disability sector.

Australian Apprenticeships Priority List consultation

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is seeking feedback on how to improve the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List. Your input will help shape a more responsive and transparent system that supports critical skills and delivers better outcomes for apprentices, employers and the economy.

Submissions close 17 October 2025.

HumanAbility research consultations

Earn While You Learn (EWYL)

This research program will identify, categorise and assess current EWYL models to determine their potential application in the care and support sectors.

It aims to identify best practice models and consider their suitability for supporting students to complete their qualifications and helping to address critical skills and occupation gap.

• Promising Models in the Dental Sector: 
  Date: Tuesday 7 October 2025
  Time: 3 pm - 5 pm
  Location: Brisbane Marriott Hotel, 515 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD
   
• Promising Models in the Health Sector: 
  Date: Wednesday 8 October 2025
  Time: 1 pm - 3 pm
  Location: Brisbane Marriott Hotel, 515 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD

VET Workforce Research

This research aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the VET workforce and the challenges associated with attracting and keeping people in those roles. The purpose of the session is to ensure our next research streams align with and reflect industry and registered training organisation (RTO) needs in our sectors.

• HumanAbility | Maintaining industry currency in the Care and Support VET workforce - Brisbane: 
  Date: Tuesday 7 October 2025
  Time: 12 pm - 3.30 pm
  Location: Marriot Brisbane, 515 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD

Help shape the future of the Health Workforce

The future workforce is already in high school. Help connect them to the resources they need to nurture their passion for healthcare through the Health Gateway Program

Accessibility and inclusion pilot in Gladstone

Business Chamber Queensland, in partnership with Queensland Disability Network, has launched the Workforce Evolve Accessibility and Inclusion Pilot for the Gladstone region. The initiative is designed to support businesses to create more inclusive and accessible workplaces. Expressions of interest are now open for businesses that would like to get involved.

Right to Disconnect – Fair Work Commission

An online overview of the Fair Work System on the right to disconnect from work. This means employees may refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact outside their working hours.