Hi there,

Welcome to the March edition of CheckIN. 

I am delighted to have commenced in the role of CEO at CheckUP. For many years, I have admired the important work CheckUP leads across Queensland to improve access to quality healthcare, particularly for rural and remote communities. That admiration has been strengthened through my own experience working with the organisation and witnessing firsthand the impact of its programs, partnerships, and community‑focused approach.

It is an honour to now be part of an organisation with such strong relationships and a clear commitment to making a meaningful difference.

Please enjoy this edition of CheckIN, where you will find information about our service areas and programs, along with health sector news.

CheckUP's first Queensland Primary Health Care Network event will be held on 29 April, with the theme: Workforce and Industry Business Development Solutions. Save the date for this exciting event.

CheckUP’s new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS Interim Support Program strengthens connections, builds readiness, and supports culturally responsive, community-led disability services across Queensland. To help lead this program across Queensland, we are seeking an experienced Program Manager. Learn more and apply below.

Our CheckUP teams continue to engage with regional providers to help create sustainable healthcare and workforce solutions. Keep reading CheckIN and connecting on our social media platforms to stay up to date with our initiatives.

CheckUP continues to provide online micro-credential courses, including Disability Friendly Business Basics to help businesses build more inclusive services. Learn more on our website.

Now is also a great time to take advantage of ‘Access for All: Disability Awareness for Health Providers’ – FREE to complete before 30th June. Read how you can engage in training to make your business more accessible below.

Above: Tony de Ambrosis, CheckUP CEO

This newsletter also contains industry event information, plus member and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander news.

Remember, our members receive great benefits, including free access to QPHCN events, an open invitation to submit articles to this newsletter, and more. Visit our membership benefits webpage for more information on how to advertise in CheckIN.

I look forward to meeting many of you and learning more about the programs, collaborations, and insights that make our collective work so effective. Your dedication and partnership have been central to CheckUP’s success, and I am committed to building on the strong foundations established under Ann Maree’s exceptional leadership.

I am excited about the opportunities ahead and what we will continue to achieve together.

Best wishes

Tony de Ambrosis
Chief Executive Officer
CheckUP

Save the date for our first QPHCN event - 29 April 2026

CheckUP's first Queensland Primary Health Care Network (QPHCN) event will be held on 29 April, led by CheckUP's Workforce and Industry Business Development Solutions team.

Hear from CheckUP's Workforce and Industry Business Development Solutions' experts, explore the latest industry trends and connect with professionals. Attend this event to expand your network, sharpen your skills and gain practical insights into Workforce and Industry Business Development Solutions.

Stay tuned for more information on this event.

Complete Access for All - Disability Awareness for Health Providers for FREE

Complete Access for All - Disability Awareness for Health Providers for FREE until 30 June.

This online course:

▶️ increases awareness of the barriers experienced by people with disability when accessing healthcare. 

▶️ earns CPD points for 35+ health professions and supports health accreditation standards.

▶️ is suitable for all health professionals, health administrators, health reception staff, and students.

Be the best health provider you can be, by completing Access for All – Disability Awareness for Health Providers.

Gateway to Industry Schools Program – Health student tours

This month the Gateway to Industry Schools Program – Health hosted two healthcare industry tours for students in Mackay and Townsville.

The Mackay tour had 30 students, including 20 from Proserpine State High School and 10 from Collinsville State High School. Students visited the Mackay Base Hospital and then progressed to CQUniversity. 

20 students from Townsville State High School also recently participated in an industry bus tour, visiting TAFE Queensland, Mater Hospital and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section).

These engaging tours provided informative presentations outlining the wide range of careers available within the health sector.

Read our BLOG POST for more details.

Open your doors to more customers and build a stronger community

CheckUP's FREE Disability Friendly Business Basics micro-credentials 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!

Read impactful stories on the  CheckUP blog

Read about our staff, the impact our Outreach healthcare providers are making, and more, on the CheckUP blog. This month we've shared stories on the Gateway Health Project, and a different kind of physiotherapty service in Kilkivan. 

We're adding to the blog all the time, so be sure to engage with our great stories.

Find the right people with the right skills. Make an impact in 2026.

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

Experts in Health, Community Services and with a dedicated support for First Nations businesses, the IWA team can help you navigate real workforce challenges around finding and keeping the right staff, rising workloads, and doing more with less.

Subscribe to our newsletter or visit the IWA web page below to learn more.

Empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership in Disability Reform

CheckUP’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander NDIS Interim Support Program strengthens connections, builds readiness, and supports culturally responsive, community-led disability services across Queensland, laying the groundwork for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander led peak body and lasting reform.

As part of this work, CheckUP is seeking an experienced Program Manager to lead the program across Queensland. The role will work alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, communities and sector partners to deliver this interim program while supporting the transition to a peak body as the program evolves. Applications close 17 April.

Have you considered delivering services in the NDIS space?

Visit NDIS Business Connect. We provide tailored support to guide you in the right direction. Gain access to practical webinars, easy-to-use factsheets, and current information on NDIS changes, when you need it. 

Catch up on recent webinars covering:

• NDIS Registration Readiness Micro-credential series
• What do I need to know? Understanding the New Child Safe Organisations Act
• Getting ready for NDIS registration
• Unpacking SCHADS suite

Stronger Futures Start Here

Planning for the right people, skills, and roles is essential for First Nations health and community services.

CheckUP’s Workforce Planning Guide is free, and designed for First Nations businesses and organisations. The guide gives you:

• A 12-step method for building a future-ready workforce
• Practical checklists and templates
• Strategies to attract, retain, and grow your team
• View the Guide here. 
• Yarn with an Industry Workforce Advisor

Measles alert for Brisbane International Airport

There have been two cases of measles in people who have spent time at the Brisbane International Airport arrivals terminal on Thursday, 19 March 2026.

The list of exposure sites and times is being regularly updated. View it HERE.

Anyone who was in these areas, on these dates, needs to be alert for symptoms of measles for up to three weeks from the exposure date.

Initial symptoms include fever, lethargy, runny nose, moist cough and sore red eyes. This is followed a few days later by a blotchy, red rash which often starts on the face and then becomes widespread over the body.

If you have any of the measles symptoms, contact your GP or ED. It is very important to call the medical practice or ED first if you think you might have measles, so that staff can take precautions to avoid spreading it to others. 

Call 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for more information about the measles virus.

Prepare for the flu season - book your free flu vaccination

With Winter on it's way, now is the time to protect yourself and your loved ones by getting a flu vaccine. They're free for Queenslanders aged 6 months and older, until 30 September 2026.

Also, this year, a needle-free flu vaccine in the form of a nasal spray will be available and free for children aged two to five years (before they turn 6). This is an easy way to protect your child.

The best protection is to get vaccinated, but continuing good hygiene habits like washing hands, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home when sick can help stop the spread of the flu.

Ask your GP, pharmacist, or vaccine provider about when the vaccine will be available for you.

QAS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander University Scholarships are now open

Applications are open for the Queensland Ambulance Service Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander University Scholarships.

The scholarships aim to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to complete their Bachelor studies in business, finance, technology, media and communications, public health or paramedicine. 

Visit the QAS website for more information on eligibility criteria and how to apply. Applications are open until 31 March 2026.

Harmony Week

Last week was Harmony Week: 16 - 22 March.

Harmony Week is the celebration that recognises diversity and brings Australians together from all different cultures. It’s about inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for everyone.

Last week also recognised International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (IDERD), on 21 March.

These days remind us to be accepting of diversity, inclusive of all cultures, and combat racism wherever and whenever it arises.

Health Delivery Queensland Conference

Attend CEDA’s Health Delivery Queensland Conference on 21 May in Brisbane to explore practical, system-level solutions for building a more connected, adaptable and future-ready health system for Queensland.

The conference brings together government and health leaders to talk about workforce, regional care, infrastructure, aged care, equity and digital innovation. Together, they’ll explore how smarter system design can improve health outcomes, boost productivity and strengthen Queensland’s social and economic wellbeing.

2026 Voices of Queenslanders with Disability Survey

Please complete the 2026 Voice of Queenslanders with Disability survey. Released by Queenslanders with Disability Network, the survey gathers lived experience insights to strengthen disability advocacy, services, supports and policy across Queensland.

Please take part If you:

• live with disability
• support someone with disability
• are a carer, family member, or work in the disability sector.

Please advise what's working, what's not, and what needs to change. Answers are confidential, and names are not attached to responses.

Help make sure more voices are heard this year. The survey closes at 5pm, Friday 17 April 2026.

Acute Rheumatic Fever (ARF)  and Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) educational videos

The Queensland Health Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) Program has developed a suite of educational videos for health professionals to improve identification, notification, treatment and management of ARF and RHD in Queensland. Resources are also available for patients, family and community.

View the videos HERE. 

An online course has also been created. Anyone with an email address can apply for access to iLearn to view this course in the following locations:

• ILearn for Queensland Health Employees
• ILearn for External parties

Hospital and Health Services using the Learning On-line (LOL) system, can contact their local learning and development team for access on this platform. 

Ensure graduates are well prepared for the workforce

Participate in HumanAbility virtual consultations in early April to review dental training qualifications and skill sets. As the dental profession continues to evolve with the integration of digital dentistry, enhanced infection control measures, and increasing expectations for patient‑centred care, it is essential that training remains current and relevant. 

Stay informed on broader health training product reviews by providing feedback from recent workshop consultations in Health Administration and Practice Management, as well as Sterilisation.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week ran from 17-20 March.

The initiative recognises and celebrates the strengths of neurodiverse individuals, including those with conditions such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. 

It aims to promote understanding, acceptance, and inclusion within schools, workplaces and communities.

Early bird registrations are open for the HCQ Annual Forum

Health Consumer Queensland (HCQ), will host their Annual Forum on the Gold Coast from 27-28 April. This event welcomes health consumers, carers, health service leaders, researchers and community advocates to explore the theme 'Influence in Action'. 

Register to attend by 27 March 2026 to be automatically entered into the draw to win a custom-designed gift hamper. 

Attend to engage in interactive workshops and panel discussions, learn from guest speakers, success stories, health sector news and more. Additionally you can network with other health consumers and engagement staff from across the state, who are passionate about influencing positive outcomes for all Queenslanders.

Tune into Health Yarns, produced by ATSICHS Mackay

For honest health conversations about our mob and community, Tune into 105.9fm every second Monday at 1pm to hear Health Yarns, proudly presented by ATSICHS Mackay. 

Join Dr Sarah and Shannon for real conversations about health, wellbeing and community. 

IUIH partners with headspace for Staying Deadly | headspace

Recently, the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH) and headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation proudly launched the Staying Deadly | headspace centre in Deception Bay. It is Australia's first headspace in an urban community specifically designed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, their family and friends.

It provides dedicated mental health and wellbeing services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people across the Moreton Bay region.

Staying Deadly | headspace offers yarning and sensory rooms, showers, a kitchen with free snacks, a digital hub, and a range of youth programs designed to keep young people connected to Culture, Community and Country.

The centre is funded by the federal government, commissioned by the Brisbane North Primary Health Network and operated by IUIH.

National Close the Gap Day

March 19 was National Close the Gap Day. 

Since 2007, National Close the Gap Day has brought together Australians from all over the country to advocate for health equity and take meaningful action to create better and more equitable conditions for the First Nations people.

The campaign encourages people and organisations to plan events that draw attention to the health issues facing Australia’s First Nations people and support legislation and programs to improve their conditions.

The Australian Government also recently released the 2025 Closing the Gap Annual Report and the 2026 Implementation Plan. View them HERE.

NAIDOC Week

Mark your diaries for NAIDOC Week which runs from 5–12 July 2026. This year's theme is: 50 Years of Deadly, and is a tribute to the people who built this movement. 

NAIDOC Week is held across Australia to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It creates an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories, and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. Support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities by engaging in activities and events in your area.

Plan your own NAIDOC Week event or attend one in your local area.

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.