CheckUP Connect eNews

Hi there,

Welcome to the July edition of CheckUP Connect. Queensland Small Business Month kept our Industry Workforce Advisors and NDIS Business Connect team on the road in May. June and the start of this month has our team connecting with and meeting health and community service employers from Brisbane to rural and remote regions. The same themes came up everywhere: finding staff, keeping them and managing growing demand. It's a strong reminder of why place‑based, practical support matters.

In this edition, you'll find an invite to two free online workshops on Queensland's Child Safe Standards and the Reportable Conduct Scheme, an update on how disability inclusion is helping Queensland businesses grow stronger and details on Queensland's Mental Health Week Community Event Grants, now open for applications. We're also looking ahead to the 2026 Health Gateway Forum in October, bringing schools and industry together to shape Queensland's future health workforce.

As always, please get in touch if there's anything we can help with.

Vicky Meyer
General Manager, Workforce, CheckUP

CheckUP's Workforce and Industry Programs are proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.

Listening, learning and supporting workforce solutions across Queensland

During Queensland Small Business Month, CheckUP's Industry Workforce Advisors travelled across Queensland, engaging with health and community service employers from metropolitan, regional, rural and remote communities. Common themes included workforce shortages, recruitment and retention challenges and increasing service demand. These conversations reinforced the importance of place‑based workforce solutions, strong partnerships and practical support tailored to local needs.

Working alongside businesses and communities, our team strengthens workforces and creates sustainable employment pathways.

Critical questions facing vocational education and training

The 2026 Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) conference highlighted key VET sector challenges and opportunities in responding to technological disruption, shifts in workforce and evolving student and industry expectations. Future success will require flexibility, industry‑connection and the delivery of skills that are immediately relevant and support a productive and sustainable workforce.

Here are our key takeaways:

• Skills needs are changing fast. AI, automation and labour market shifts mean training must be more agile and closely aligned to real workplace needs.
• Industry sustainability is a VET issue. VET is critical to building a resilient, future‑ready workforce and industry capability.
• Digital training is growing and must add real value. Online and tech‑enabled delivery brings flexibility, but businesses need solutions that are practical, relevant and genuinely improve outcomes.
• Stronger collaboration between industry and VET is essential. Evidence‑based training and closer partnerships ensure programs stay relevant and deliver real productivity benefits.
• Workforce inclusion matters. Expanding participation and supporting diverse learners will help address skill shortages and improve workforce sustainability.

Let's talk business and workforce solutions

CheckUP held two focused discussions in Rockhampton and Mackay on how our programs can best respond to the challenges facing NDIS and community service providers. The events shared contemporary business and workforce solutions, with the opportunity to meet CheckUP staff for a one‑on‑one consult.

The NDIS challenges and reforms were a hot topic, with plenty of discussion, shared practices and local solutions and concerns raised. Many ideas for the NDIS Business Connect team were noted to help better support the disability sector.

Session 1

Queensland's Child Safe Standards

Understanding and embedding Queensland's Child Safe Standards in your organisation: a 2-hour online interactive workshop.

All organisations working with children in Queensland are now required to comply with Queensland's Child Safe Standards, which set expectations for how organisations create and maintain safe environments for children and young people.

This facilitated workshop provides an overview of the Child Safe Standards and what organisations need to do to comply. During the workshop, we'll start working through a self‑assessment tool, so you can leave with a clearer picture of where your organisation is now and what your priority actions should be.

What's included: a self‑assessment and action planning tool sent ahead of the session to help you prepare, plus supporting resources to use after the workshop as your implementation work continues.

Who should attend: managers, team leaders and anyone with responsibility for policy, practice, safeguarding or compliance in your organisation.

Session 2

Reportable Conduct Scheme

Understanding and meeting your Reportable Conduct Scheme obligations: a 2-hour interactive online workshop.

From 1 July 2026, key organisations 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 walk you through:

• the Scheme's requirements and who is responsible
• what reportable conduct is
• reporting requirements and timelines
• key aspects of investigations

The focus will be on practical steps your organisation can take now to meet its obligations. During the workshop we'll work through a self‑assessment tool to identify existing systems and processes that can support implementation and where there are gaps to address.

What's included: a self‑assessment and action planning tool sent ahead of the session to help you prepare, plus supporting resources to use after the workshop as your implementation work continues.

Who should attend: managers, HR leads and anyone with responsibility for complaints, conduct or safeguarding in your organisation.

Join us at the Health Gateway Forum

CheckUP's Health Gateway team is hosting the 2026 Health Gateway Forum at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. The forum will bring together schools and industry from across Queensland for a day of connection, collaboration and professional learning. It's a great opportunity for schools to hear directly from industry, explore career pathways and for industry to strengthen partnerships that support Queensland's future health workforce.

The program is available to view here.

Please share this event with anyone in your network who may benefit.

Free supports available through Business Queensland!

We had a great conversation at our June event talking through the current NDIS reforms and what they mean to businesses.

Join us as we continue our monthly discussions. In July we will keep talking through what's changing and what it means for providers like you, plus find out about the free supports available through Business Queensland. Find out more when you register for this event.

Queensland needs skilled professionals like you

Queensland needs experienced professionals to help train the next generation of skilled workers in trades, health, ICT and more. If you're thinking about a career change or returning to the workforce, becoming a TAFE teacher could be the perfect next step.

• Enjoy a positive work‑life balance in a supportive environment
• Use your industry expertise without the physical demands
• Gain career fulfilment by shaping the next generation of professionals
• Stay connected to your industry

And here's the best part: the Queensland Government is providing the guidance and support to get your teaching journey started. Take the next step in your career and help build Queensland's future workforce.

This is a Queensland Government election commitment and is part of a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments.

Building business confidence through disability inclusion

Becoming a disability‑friendly business helps you reach new customers, strengthen your reputation and future‑proof your organisation.

Through three short, free online courses, your business can build confidence, improve accessibility and be recognised as welcoming and inclusive. With Brisbane 2032 and major investment ahead, inclusive businesses will be best placed to succeed.

Disability inclusion isn’t just good ethics — it’s good business.

Download the Accessibility & Inclusion Checklist and see where you're doing well and where small changes can have a big impact.

Join the businesses being recognised as Disability Friendly, and listen to Debbie explain the micro‑credentials further.

Securing the NDIS for future generations

The National Disability Insurance Scheme is one of Australia's most important social reforms. The NDIS needs to be protected for people with permanent and significant disability and for future generations who will rely on it.

The Australian Government has released a timeline outlining the key dates for implementing its plan to secure the future of the NDIS, including when legislation will be introduced, when consultation will occur and when changes for participants and providers will begin. The timeline will be updated as further dates are confirmed.

QMHW Community Event Grants are now open

The Queensland Mental Health Week 2026 Community Events Grants Program opened on 15 June 2026, with applications closing 17 July 2026.

The program supports community organisations across Queensland to host local events during Mental Health Week (3 to 11 October 2026) that build connection, wellbeing and mental health awareness. A total funding pool of $300,000 is available through the program.

Have your say on a Queensland skilled migration agreement

Migration Queensland is calling for input on a potential state‑led Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) from targeted industries including health, aged care and disability service providers.

A DAMA gives regions flexibility to respond to local economic and labour market conditions by expanding occupation lists and negotiating concessions to standard visa requirements. This helps employers access overseas workers when they can't fill eligible roles with Australian citizens or permanent residents.

Feedback is due by midnight, Monday 13 July 2026. Questions can be directed to Migration Queensland at DAMA@migration.qld.gov.au.

The NDIS Annual Pricing Review and Pricing Schedule are out

The NDIA's Annual Pricing Review (APR) was released recently, followed by the 2026-27 Pricing Schedule. Conducted yearly, the APR is a process undertaken by the NDIA to provide guidance on appropriate NDIS prices to enable the provision of quality supports. The Pricing Schedule then sets out information on what they consider appropriate and reasonable maximum prices for all NDIS supports.

For a full briefing on what the changes mean for your organisation, Team DSC is running a workshop next week: 2026 PAPL Update: now the 2026-2027 Pricing Schedule.

Get a FREE workforce health check with CheckUP's Industry Workforce Advisors (IWA).

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