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First Nations Workforce newsletter April 2026
Hi,
We are pleased to share this edition of our First Nations Workforce newsletter, highlighting key opportunities, resources and grants to support your workforce efforts and goals.
We warmly invite you to join CheckUP’s upcoming Queensland Primary Health Care Network event on 29 April, where we’ll explore a powerful truth shaping today’s health workforce: “The providers winning the workforce challenge aren’t finding better candidates — they’re building better workplaces.”
We would be delighted to host you either in our South Brisbane office or online. This is a valuable opportunity to connect as leaders, and as people on our own workforce journeys to explore new ideas and ways of thinking, strengthen partnerships, and engage in meaningful discussions shaping our workforce futures.
We also encourage you to read our latest article, “Economic Strength Starts with Strong Futures”, which explores the role of workforce planning in building economic strength and enabling sustainable, community-led health and care outcomes. The article highlights how Empowered Leadership, Courageous Communication, and Strong Pathways can shape and activate workforce planning efforts, often without significant investment of time or resources.
Thank you for the important work you do every day for community.
Best regards,
Carissa McAllister
First Nations Industry Workforce Advisor (Health and Social Assistance)
Email: cmcallister@checkup.org.au
Ph: 0498 801 004
The Industry Workforce Advisor program is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.
Let's yarn on 29 April 2026, QPHCN Event
QPHCN Event - Let's Yarn
Join us at the Queensland Primary Health Care Network (QPHCN) Workforce and Industry Business Development Event on 29 April!
Hear from Carissa McAllister, First Nations Industry Workforce Advisor, as she shares Strong Futures Start Here, a practical, culturally responsive and meaningful workforce planning tool and approach designed specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and community services.
Date: Wednesday, 29 April
Time: 10:30am - 12pm AEST
Location: QAIHC Building, Level 1, 36 Russell St, South Brisbane
Join us in person or online!
New article: Economic Strength Starts Here
Workforce Planning builds the economic strength of First Nations Health and Community Services. Read this article to see how empowered leadership, courageous communication and culturally grounded workforce planning are shaping resilient, future-focused services across Queensland.
A strong community-led plan supports thriving communities, culture, families and the right to self-determination. The financial sustainability of a First Nations health or community service is inseparable from the resilience, capability, and sustainability of its workforce.
Our FREE Workforce Planning Guide Toolkit is here to help First Nations health and community services!
Download the guide and:
✅Understand and map your workforce needs
✅Build strong teams
✅Access training, grants & incentives
Let’s create strong futures together!
New job alert! Yindili is hiring!
Program Lead (Community Focus)
First Nations NDIS Community Reform (Identified Role)
Yindili Indigenous Recruitment is proud to be partnering with a leading not for profit organisation to recruit for a unique and impactful opportunity.
This role will play an important part in shaping the future of disability services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Queensland.
Improve employee retention with a strengths‑based approach
Understanding what motivates your employees is key to keeping them engaged. The Harrison strengths‑based tool provides insight into employee motivation and strengths, helping employers build productive, long‑term working relationships.
Ask Carissa to help you access the tool to use with your people, or register your interest here Back to Work - Harrison Tool for Retention
Apply for Women’s Career Grants
The Women’s Career Grants supports women in Queensland who are ready to re-enter the workforce after a break to help meet the costs associated with the transition back into the workforce.
Drive your business forward
If you are a First Nations-owned business that:
- Has been operating for 2+ years
- Is established and operating in Queensland
- Is a registered Australian Company (Pty Ltd)
- Is currently developing an innovative product or service
- Is profitable and meets minimum sales revenue requirements
possible funding is available for you.
First Australians Capital (FAC) is proud to collaborate with the Queensland Government in the Deadly Innovation Program, supporting First Nations innovators and entrepreneurs through the Deadly Innovation Strategy.
Industry Workforce Advisor - Health
Alina Khalid is CheckUP's Industry Workforce Advisor for the Health sector, bringing a diverse background in clinical care and health management consulting. With a Bachelor of Dental Surgery and a Master of Health Management specialising in Quality and Patient Safety, she combines frontline healthcare experience with a strong understanding of health systems improvement.
Alina is passionate about supporting small-to-medium health businesses to develop practical, scalable workforce solutions that enhance care quality, access, and sustainability across Queensland communities.
Alina is here to help you!
Industry Workforce Advisor - Community Services
Stuart Coward brings a rare depth of experience to the role. With more than 20 years in community services, a background in state government, and four decades building and growing his own businesses across training, employment and hospitality, he understands the challenges facing small and medium organisations from multiple perspectives.
As CheckUP's Industry Workforce Advisor for Community Services, Stuart works directly with Queensland businesses to identify workforce challenges, develop practical plans, and connect employers with the grants, incentives and programs available to support them. His focus is on real, actionable support that helps organisations find, grow and keep the people they need.
Ask Stuart any questions.
The Industry Workforce Advisor program works across 11 industries and sectors to provide FREE workforce planning assistance to employers in small and medium-sized businesses, enabling them to address workforce challenges, diversify their workforces, and support workforce growth.
The image above shows the Industry Workforce Advisor team across Queensland.
Share your story with us!
CheckUP loves hearing and seeing the great outcomes our providers, clients and stakeholders achieve, and we’d be thrilled to share your success!
If you have made a positive impact on your workforce or we have helped you reach your workforce goals, we’d love to hear your story. Inspire others and highlight the amazing work you’re doing!
Let Carissa know if you’re interested or have any questions—we’d be excited to celebrate your success and showcase your story on CheckUP's website and social media channels!
Leah Cummins, Artist
We acknowledge and pay tribute to Leah Cummins who passed away unexpectedly and is well-known and respected in the health and community services sectors for her love of art, her passion to inspire and uplift her people, and her contribution to the sharing of culture and stories.
This artwork commemorates CheckUP’s 25th anniversary and acknowledges the collaborative connections that exist between CheckUP, our partners and Queensland’s diverse communities.
Leah shared, “A connected community is a representation of the diverse and interconnected communities within the state of Queensland.” She added, “This artwork serves as a reminder that despite our differences and geographical separations, we are all part of a larger whole and can come together in unity.”
View Leah's artwork here.
Connect and help grow our network!
As we continue to grow our network, we would appreciate it if you could please share this newsletter with your colleagues and invite them to subscribe.
CheckUP acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land where we work and live. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging. We celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders of all communities who also work and live on this land.
