The Health and Community Services Industry Building a stronger economy and a fairer Queensland

Transcription

1 The Health and Community Services Industry Building a stronger economy and a fairer Queensland The Queensland Compact Towards a fairer Queensland

2 About this booklet housing and homelessness services This booklet describes the significant contributions of the Health and Community Services Industry (the Industry) to Queensland s economy. While it is broadly acknowledged that the Industry makes a valuable social contribution to the state, its economic contribution has often been underestimated. The information in this booklet will assist a wide range of stakeholders to effectively plan ahead for the growth of all Queensland industries and communities. mental health services optometry and dentistry pathology and diagnostic imaging services residential care services services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples services for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds Stakeholders include government agencies, industry development agencies, industry employers, sector peaks, education and training providers, businesses and all other industries. About Queensland s Health and Community Services Industry All Queenslanders use and benefit from services provided by the Health and Community Services Industry. The Industry s services help people participate in employment, education, family and community life, and also benefit the wider community by building and sustaining a stronger, fairer, healthier and more inclusive Queensland. Diversity services for women, families and youth. Organisations delivering services in the Industry include government agencies at national, state and local levels, peak bodies, non-profit and for-profit organisations, Indigenous and community-managed organisations, and community councils. A peak organisation represents views or issues on behalf of smaller organisations or a whole sector. Contents The Health and Community Services Industry includes a diverse range of sectors providing: Boosting Queensland s economy... 2 aged care services alcohol and other drug services allied health services Providing jobs for Queenslanders... 3 Growth and productivity of other industries... 6 child protection and early childhood education and care Supporting regional development... 7 community legal services Strengthening our communities... 8 community sport and recreation services disability services Strong Industry strong future for us all... 9 hospitals and emergency services Get involved Photographer: Michael Marston 1 The Industry provides jobs for more than 272,000 Queenslanders. Photographer: Michael Marston

3 Boosting Queensland s economy The Health and Community Services Industry is a major contributor to Queensland s economy and: ; injects more than $16.2 billion* to the state s economy each year 1 ; is the state s largest industry employer providing jobs for more than 272,000 Queenslanders 2 ; purchases around $2 billion worth of goods and services annually from other Queensland industries and businesses 3 ; contributes to the economic prosperity of regions by offering employment and business opportunities, and providing essential support for individuals and families. Volunteers and carers in the Industry also significantly contribute to our state s prosperity, with the value of their work estimated to be worth $10.5 billion annually. 4,5 *Gross Value Added. In , the Industry contributed more than $16.2 billion to Queensland s economy*. This was the sixth largest contribution of all industries, representing a 6.5 per cent share of Queensland s economy. 1 Contribution to Queensland s economy by Industry, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing 3.2% Transport, Postal and Warehousing 6.7% Manufacturing 8.3% Health Care and Social Assistance 6.5% Construction 9.0% All Other Industries 39.9% Mining 9.7% 5.5% Retail Trade 6.9% Financial and Insurance Services 4.3% Education and Training Source: ABS Australian National Accounts, State Accounts, Photographer: Tony Phillips 2 In , the Industry contributed more than $16.2 billion to Queensland s economy.. Photographer: Michael Marston 2

4 Providing jobs for Queenslanders The Health and Community Services Industry is Queensland s largest industry employer, providing jobs for 272,600 people in Queensland or 11.7 per cent of the state s total labour market. 2 Employment by Industry, Queensland, 2011 Industry Health Care and Social Assistance Retail Trade Construction Manufacturing Education and Training Accommodation and Food Services Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Public Administration and Safety Transport, Postal and Warehousing Administrative and Support Services Other Services Wholesale Trade Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Mining Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Financial and Insurance Services Arts and Recreation Services Information Media and Telecommunications Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Total employed persons (in thousands) Source: ABS Labour Force (four quarter average). 2 The Industry has consistently experienced strong growth over the short, medium and long-term (see graph below). Nationally, the Industry has delivered more new jobs to the Australian economy than any other industry. In the five years to 2011, the Industry created one in five new Australian jobs, maintaining an average annual growth of 4.4 per cent. 2 In Queensland, the Industry has created 71,900 new jobs or 28 per cent of the state s total employment growth over the five years to By comparison, mining contributed 25,300 jobs over the same period. 2 In 2011 alone, the Industry provided 20,400 new jobs or more than 80 per cent of Queensland s overall employment growth of 25,400 jobs. 2 Employment by Industry, Queensland, Total employed persons (in thousands) Year Mining Retail Trade Health Care and Social Assistance 3 Manufacturing Construction Source: ABS Labour Force (Trend data). 2

5 Contribution through salaries and wages As the largest industry employer, the Health and Community Services Industry also makes the largest contribution to Queensland wages and salaries, paying Queensland workers more than $13.5 billion annually. 6 This accounts for 10.6 per cent of all wages and salaries paid to Queensland workers. Total compensation of employees, Queensland, Health Care and Social Assistance Manufacturing Construction Public Administration and Safety Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Retail Trade Photographer: Tony Phillips Photographer: Michael Marston Industry Wholesale Trade Education and Training Financial and Insurance Services Transport, Postal and Warehousing Mining Accommodation and Food Services Administrative and Support Services Other Services Rental, Hiring and Real Estate Services Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services Information Media and Telecommunications Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Arts and Recreation Services ,000 15,000 Total compensation ($m) Source: ABS Australian National Accounts, State Accounts, Contribution of volunteers and carers Volunteers and carers in the Health and Community Services Industry make a significant contribution to our state s prosperity. The value of volunteer and carer work in Queensland is estimated to be worth $10.5 billion annually. 4,5 In the year ending June 2009, approximately 66,000 Queensland volunteers contributed 6.1 million additional hours of labour to the Community Services Sector. 7 Reports suggest that volunteers in Queensland s community, health and welfare organisations contribute an estimated wage equivalent value of more than $2.2 billion each year, based on a replacement cost method. 4 In addition to formal carers and volunteers, informal carers provide the majority of direct care to older people and people with a disability. Nationally, there are 2.6 million unpaid informal carers; 530,000 of whom are in Queensland (20 per cent). The value of these informal care services is estimated to be more than $40.9 billion nationally and $8.3 billion for Queensland alone, based on a replacement cost method. 5 The value of volunteer and carer work in Queensland is estimated to be worth $10.5 billion per year. 4 Photographer: Vicki Yen

6 Boosting workforce participation The Industry boosts Queensland s overall workforce participation rates, significantly contributing to the state s long-term economic growth. The Health and Community Services Industry employs a broad cross-section of Queenslanders, including groups with lower than average workforce participation rates. This includes people with a disability, older people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and women. As an example, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workers comprise 10 per cent of child protection and juvenile justice employees, compared to the Queensland all-industries average of 3.1 per cent. 8 The business and employment opportunities provided by the Industry, including in local Indigenous communities, increase economic participation, help close the gap on disadvantage and ensure the delivery of culturally-appropriate services. As shown in the diagram below, the Industry provides women, employees with family commitments and those who wish to work part-time with opportunities to participate in the workforce. In the year to February 2011, women represented 78.6 per cent of employees in the Industry compared with 46 per cent for all other industries. More than two-fifths (or 40.8 per cent) of the Industry s workforce are employed on a part-time basis compared with 28.5 per cent for all other industries. 2 Employment services provided by the Industry help vulnerable Queenslanders gain and maintain meaningful employment across all industries. An example of this is the Disability Employment Services (DES) which employs 2660 Queenslanders with a disability in the open labour market in 2315 full-time equivalent positions. 9 Potential exists to work with the Health and Community Services Industry to further boost workforce participation rates. The Industry offers flexible employment opportunities, employing a broad crosssection of Queenslanders. Health Care and Social Assistance: Employment by Gender, Queensland, Photographer: Tony Phillips % Share Males (Full-Time) Males (Part-Time) Health Care and Social Assistance Females (Full-Time) All Industries Females (Part-Time) Photographer: Visual Obsession 5 Source: ABS Labour Force. 2

7 Growth and productivity of other industries The Health and Community Services Industry directly supports the economic activity and sustainability of other Queensland industries. The expansion or contraction of the Industry also indirectly impacts on the rest of Queensland s economy. On an annual basis, the Industry purchases around $2 billion worth of goods and services from other Queensland industries and businesses. 3 All other industries in Queensland rely on the Health and Community Services Industry to help maintain productive workforces and viable enterprises. The Industry helps individuals to enter and remain in the workforce and supports workers to rehabilitate and return to work when needed. Without adequate services provided by the Industry, including child care and aged care, workers may have to work fewer hours, or may not be available for work at all. Win-win solutions: Investment in community services supports other workforces Business and industry groups are increasingly recognising the importance of investing in the Health and Community Services Industry to ensure their own growth and productivity, and the sustainability of local communities. For example, mining companies are recognising that availability of early childhood education and care helps attract and retain workers in Queensland s rural and remote areas. In an interview on ABC radio, Steve de Kruifjj from Xstrata said We don t have that many fly-in and fly-out people at Mt Isa. Some of the other areas do, but in Mt Isa it s so important to have both partners to be able to work while their children are looked after in childcare centres that s a really burning issue I know with mothers and fathers around town. 10 To respond to this issue, Xstrata has partnered with North West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services to provide traineeships to boost the number of qualified childcare service staff in Mt Isa. In addition, a new Queensland Government-funded kindergarten service, operated by the Creche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland, was opened at Sunset State School in A Child and Family Centre, including a 75-place long day care service, will also open in early 2012, operated by the Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Townsville and jointly funded through an Australian and Queensland Government partnership. In Blackwater, Central Queensland, the Queensland Government and BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) have invested more than $860,000 and $930,000 respectively to secure additional childcare places. 11,12 Stakeholders from across industries and sectors are invited to collaborate with the Health and Community Services Industry, Queensland Government and local communities to create more win-win solutions. The Industry purchases around $2 billion worth of goods and services from other Queensland industries and businesses each year. The State of Queensland 6

8 Supporting regional development Health and community services play a vital role in increasing the liveability of Queensland s regions, in diversifying regional economies and encouraging labour mobility across the state. Personal and family needs can be the most influential factors when considering whether to move to or stay in a regional, rural or remote community. For employees with families, medical care, childcare and social services are of great importance. Jobs for spouses are also an important consideration, particularly for those with professional partners wishing to continue their own careers. 13 As the Industry provides services across the state and is active in rural and remote communities as well as major cities, it helps to spread the economic benefits of employment across Queensland. Employees in the Industry generally live in the communities where they work, ensuring economic benefits remain in their local communities. The Industry also plays a vital role in community recovery and disaster relief, helping regional communities regain their economic productivity and their social and emotional wellbeing. Regional communities receive improved services thanks to partnerships across industries Regional communities in the Surat Basin area will now receive a wide range of counselling services thanks to a long-term partnership between Lifeline Darling Downs South West Queensland Ltd (Lifeline) and Queensland Gas Company Pty Limited (QGC). This important partnership has initiated a two-year project to increase counselling services in an area of population growth and increasing demands for these services. Funding in excess of $1 million from QGC has helped Lifeline provide three mobile counselling services offering residents flood recovery, youth, family, men s and financial counselling. These vital new services are a direct response to the priority needs identified by local community service providers. The investment is part of our broader social impact management plan which is being rolled out from the Western Downs to Gladstone to ensure we enhance the lives of many Queenslanders, said Tony Nunan, QGC s General Manager of Land and Community Management. 14 The development of a strong and honest partnership between Lifeline and QGC has been critical to the success of this project, with both partners united by a common goal to build the capacity and resilience of communities in the area. Across the state, a diverse range of businesses and industries work with health and community service organisations to benefit local communities. Why not contact your local organisation or a statewide peak to see how you could get involved? Photographer: Vicki Yen 7 Health and community services increase the appeal and liveability of Queensland s regions. 7

9 Strengthening our communities All Queenslanders depend upon and benefit from services provided by the Health and Community Services Industry. The Industry delivers significant social benefits to Queensland, which have positive flow on effects to our economy. Healthier communities The Industry improves Queenslanders quality of life through the delivery of essential services targeting physical and psychological wellbeing, from preventative measures like sport and recreation, to acute care provided by hospitals and emergency services. 15 Stronger, more resilient communities Industry services and volunteering opportunities develop more connected communities and build social capital, which leads to positive social, economic and health-related outcomes for residents and communities. 16 The Industry also helps communities respond to and recover from adverse events such as changes in economic conditions and natural disasters. 17 Fairer, more inclusive communities Industry services, such as employment assistance, strengthen people s ability to actively participate in the workforce and achieve economic security and financial independence. These services address issues of social inequality and inequity, combat socioeconomic disadvantage and reduce social exclusion. Safer communities The Industry plays a key role in building safe and liveable communities for all Queenslanders by providing community-based activities and services, such as youth groups. These services build trust, improve social cohesion and reduce the social and economic impacts of violence and crime. 18 Smarter, better skilled communities Industry organisations offer accredited and non-accredited courses for people to upgrade their skills and qualifications in supportive learning environments. These courses provide pathways to employment for people who have been out of the workforce for long periods of time, support migrants to build language, cultural and settlement skills, and help people acquire essential life skills such as healthy eating and parenting. 8 Each year, 4.5 million Queenslanders rely on support provided by the Industry. Photographer: Vicki Yen 8

10 Strong Industry strong future for us all Planning ahead for the continued growth of Queensland s economy, industries and business requires consideration of the factors affecting the Health and Community Services Industry. Strong population growth combined with an ageing population will significantly increase the demand for health and community services in the near future. To meet this demand, Australia s Health and Community Services Industry is expected to grow at a rate of 4.5 per cent annually up to As a result, over the next five years the Industry will deliver 323,100 new jobs or one in four new jobs to the economy. 19 Strategic and cooperative planning is required to support the Industry to establish and maintain strong organisations and businesses which deliver effective and efficient services, and to grow a skilled workforce. Share of projected employment growth by Australian industries, Education and Training 7% Public Administration and Safety 3% Administrative and Support Services 4% Health Care and Social Assistance 24% 11% Professional, Scientific and Technical Services 6% Transport, Postal and Warehousing 15% All Other Industries 4% Accommodation and Food Services 6% Retail Trade 15% Construction 5% Mining Source: DEEWR Projections, Photographer: John Casey 9 Over the next five years, the Industry will deliver one in four new jobs to the economy. Photographer: Naomi Mawson 3

11 Key challenges Evidence suggests that the Health and Community Services Industry is facing a number of critical workforce challenges. 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 It is imperative we address these challenges to ensure the Industry s economic and social contributions continue to benefit all Queenslanders. Without adequate services provided by the Industry, the growth and productivity of all Queensland businesses, industries and regions will be at risk. Skill shortages A large number of Industry occupations are recognised skill shortages in Queensland, including but not limited to childcare, disability and aged care workers, physicians, nurses and allied health professionals. 21, 22 Workforce ageing is likely to exacerbate these shortages. Strategic workforce planning is necessary to ensure there are sufficient workers with the right mix of skills and knowledge to meet the expected service demand in all locations across the state. An ageing, shrinking workforce The Industry employs a large proportion of older workers, with nearly half its workforce aged 45 years or older. 2 Australia s aging population will doubly impact the Industry as older workers retire and demand for age-related services increase. Our challenge is to create flexible employment opportunities to retain skilled and experienced mature aged workers and to attract younger employees. Attracting and retaining workers Competition with other industries, perceptions of limited career pathways, wages and conditions are some of the factors impeding workforce growth. Our challenge is to help potential employees recognise the diverse roles available in the Industry and the benefits they offer, including long-term career stability, progression and flexible working hours. Rural and remote recruitment In rural and remote communities professional development and career progression can be difficult and organisations often experience high staff turnover rates. Our challenge is to grow local workforces and improve professional mobility across the state to ensure access to services for all clients and communities. Responding to client needs and expectations The Industry must respond to the increasing demand and complexity of client need and changing community expectations which requires new models and modes of service delivery. Our challenge is to support workers to acquire new knowledge and skills and to work with employer groups and professional associations to consider how roles and services could be redesigned to better meet client needs and demand. Developing strategic leadership capabilities The Industry is facing unprecedented pace and scope of reforms targeted at improving efficiency and effectiveness of service delivery. To successfully steer the Industry through these reforms, it is important to grow strategic leadership, governance and management capabilities. Our challenge is to support Industry leaders to innovate, build strategic partnerships across industries and organisations and plan and deliver the services and the workforce required for our growing state. Building business skills In the current economic environment and with the health, social and welfare needs of Queenslanders increasing, Industry organisations must find new and innovative ways to make themselves sustainable. Regardless of the profit making status of an enterprise, skills in business planning, financial and human resource management, attracting additional funding sources and implementing new Information and Communication Technologies for efficiency in service delivery are essential to ensure financial and operational viability. Implementing strategic workforce planning Currently ad hoc or siloed approaches to workforce planning are common across the Industry. To improve the capacity and sustainability of the human services workforce, there is a need for coordinated and futurefocused workforce planning efforts, which support local and regional action and cooperation across sectors and industries. Industry peaks and organisations and Queensland Government agencies have been active in responding to the issues outlined above and in implementing strategies which strengthen the Industry and its workforce. The Compact Workforce Development Database includes information on a range of training and workforce development opportunities for workers and volunteers across the Health and Community Services Industry, and workforce planning initiatives for the Industry. To access the database visit Whilst a significant amount of effort is already underway, the trends described above point to the need for continued and combined efforts from a range of stakeholders focused on the sustainability of the Industry. 10

12 Get involved A strong Health and Community Services Industry is critical to the continued growth and productivity of all Queensland industries and communities. Sustaining the Industry will require effort from a range of stakeholders including local, state and federal government agencies, not-for-profit sector peaks and employers, industry bodies, regional economic development groups, community groups, education and training providers, professional associations and businesses across all industries. What can you or your organisation do to get involved? You could consider: planning your business s or industry s workforce strategies in consultation with representatives from the Industry to develop win-win solutions promoting employment and volunteering opportunities in the Industry for partners and families of your employees investing in a partnership with a health and community services organisation to ensure quality support services are available in local communities across Queensland sponsoring or supporting training or mentoring programs so that more Queenslanders can obtain relevant qualifications and secure jobs in the Industry meeting with a peak body in the Industry to discuss specific opportunities for your organisation to contribute to the sustainability of the Industry. These actions are essential to ensure the economic and social contributions of the Health and Community Services Industry continue to benefit all Queenslanders. Surat Basin benefits from cooperation across industries The Surat Basin, in south-west Queensland, is one region undergoing rapid growth due to the development of the state s energy resources. In March 2010 the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation facilitated the Surat Basin Regional Development Forum. Attendees highlighted the importance of health and community services in attracting and retaining residents, and ensuring the growth and sustainability of the region. Factors considered important by forum participants included: social and cultural amenities and services education, including the addition of childcare facilities, primary schools and local skills delivery services support services for local communities settlement support for newcomers to the region, such as specific support for new non-english speaking residents. 25 Over the next decade, growth in the region will see 4000 additional health and community services workers needed to deliver services for the community. 26 In recognition of the vital role of the Health and Community Services Industry in this regional growth, Skills Queensland has funded the Surat Basin Health and Community Services Workforce Initiative, which will involve collaboration across a number of industries. Information on this initiative is available on the Skills Queensland website Photographer: Michael Marston Photographer: Michael Marston 11

13 How to get involved You are invited to work with the Health and Community Services Industry to achieve our shared goals in local communities and across the state. If you would like to be involved in statewide and system level activities, you are encouraged to contact the Compact Workforce Sub-Committee, a joint governmentsector group which supports the human services workforce at a strategic level. To contact the Queensland Compact Governance Committee Secretariat Phone: compact_secretariat@communities.qld.gov.au. For more information on the Sub-Committee visit compact-workforce. To get involved or learn more about local, regional or statewide Health and Community Services Industry workforce initiatives, please contact the Health and Community Services Workforce Council: info@workforce.org.au Phone: Website: Feedback and enquiries Your feedback is important. We are keen to know how stakeholders use this information and how it can be developed to better support Industry planning. Please contact the Queensland Compact Secretariat on or compact_secretariat@communities.qld.gov.au. Booklet availability This booklet is also available online via the Queensland Compact Knowledge Hub at Photographer: Vicki Yen Photographer: Michael Marston Get involved to ensure the Industry continues to benefit all Queenslanders. Photographer: Tony Phillips 12

14 Sources Note: Where ABS data is cited, this report uses data from the Health Care and Social Assistance category. This is the major group within the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification of Occupations that most closely aligns with the Health and Community Services Industry. 1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011). Australian National Accounts: State Accounts , Table 4. Expenditure, Income and Industry Components of Gross State Product, Queensland, Industry Gross Value Added, current prices, Cat ABS, Canberra. 2. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011). Labour Force, Australia, Detailed, Quarterly, November 2011, Cat ABS, Canberra. 3. Queensland Treasury estimate for Ironmonger, D. (2008). The Economic value of volunteering in Queensland Update Report, May Department of Communities, Queensland Government, Brisbane. 5. Access Economics (2010). The Economic Value of Informal Care in 2010, Report for Carers Australia. 6. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2011). Australian National Accounts: State Accounts , Table 4. Expenditure, Income and Industry Components of Gross State Product, Queensland, Total compensation of employees, current prices, Cat ABS, Canberra. 7. Norton, M. (2010). The Queensland Community Services Sector Australian Workforce Futures. 8. Martin, B. & Healy, J. (2010). Who works in Community Services? A profile of Australian workforces in child protection, juvenile justice, disability services and general community services. National Institute of Labour Studies, Flinders University. 9. National Disability Services (2010). The Economic Contribution to Queensland from Disability Service Providers, page 8. NDS, Brisbane. 10. ABC News, Miner laments Mt Isa child care shortage, Posted Mon Dec 1, :49am AEDT. Available at: stories/2008/12/01/ htm?site=news (last accessed 6 December 2011). 11. Blackwater Herald, BMA boosts up childcare, Tuesday 5 July 2011, page Figures provided by Department of Education and Training, as at 18 January, Miles, R.L., Marshall, C., Rolfe, J. & Noonan, S. (2006). The Attraction and Retention of Professionals to Regional Areas, Australasian Journal of Regional Studies, Vol. 12, No. 2, page Mr. Tony Nunan, General Manager, Land and Community Management, Queensland Gas Company Pty Limited, personal communication. 15. Queensland Health (2001). Social Determinants of Health: Role of Public Health Services, Queensland Government, Brisbane. 16. Leigh, A. (2010). Disconnected: The Decline of Community and the Fraying of Social Fabric in Modern Australia. University of NSW Press, Sydney. 17. Onyx, J. & Bullen, P. (2000). Measuring social capital in five communities, Journal of Applied Behavioural Science, Vol. 36, No. 1, page Carcarch, C. & Huntley, C. (2002). Community Participation and Regional Crime, Trends and Issues in Crime and Crime and Criminal Justice, no Australian Institute of Criminology, Canberra. 19. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (2011). Industry Employment Projections Report Australian Government, Canberra. 20. Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council (2011). Environmental Scan Strawberry Hills, New South Wales. 21. Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Skill (2011). Skills Shortage List, Queensland, June Australian Government, Canberra. 22. Health and Community Services Workforce Council (2011). Health & Community Services Industry Skills Report: August Workforce Council, Brisbane. 23. Compact Governance Committee (2010). Phase 1 Report: workforce development initiative. Compact Governance Committee, Brisbane. 24. Productivity Commission (2010). Contribution of the Not-for-Profit Sector, Research Report, Canberra. 25. Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, Roma Regional Development Forum, 18 March 2010 available at content.cfm?id=16116 (last accessed 25 January 2012). 26. Skills Queensland (2011). Surat Basin Workforce Development Plan, page 62. Skills Queensland, Brisbane. 13

15 Acknowledgements This booklet has been developed by the Compact Workforce Sub-Committee which includes representation from the Health and Community Services Workforce Council, Capricorn Community Development Association, National Disability Services Queensland, PeakCare Queensland and the Child Protection Workforce Action Group, the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, the Department of Communities, the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, the Department of Education and Training, Queensland Health and Skills Queensland. Creative 3.0 Licence Statements for COMMUNITIES Public Sector Information Attribution (CC BY) State of Queensland (Department of Communities) This copyright work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia (CC BY) licence. To view this licence visit Under the CC BY licence you are allowed, without having to seek permission from the Department, to copy, communicate, adapt and commercialise the publication in accordance with the licence terms. You must keep intact all copyright notices (as indicated by the copyright symbol ), and attribute the Department of Communities and abide by the licence terms. For permissions beyond the scope of this licence and/or for further information contact sean.mullen@communities.qld.gov.au. Note: Certain Copyright material including images may be subject to different licence terms and restrictions as indicated. Photographer: Michael Hill Photographer: Michael Marston Front cover photographer credits from top left to bottom right: Vicki Yen, Michael Marston, Michael Martson, Naomi Mawson, Michael Marston, Michael Marston, Image Courtesy Royal Flying Doctor Service, Michael Hill, Michael Martson. Photographer: Michael Marston 14

16 For more information on the Queensland Compact Workforce Sub-Committee: Phone: Website: For more information on the Health and Community Services Workforce Council: Phone: Website: ISBN: FEB2012