The Honourable Di Farmer

Queensland Care Consortium grants open to support the health and community services workforce

• The Palaszczuk Government has put $750,000 towards grants funding for a variety of organisations to take on projects to meet the gaps in local workforce planning and development, as a part of it’s almost $2 million three-year package.
• The funding is available through the newly formed Queensland Care Consortium (QCC) which supports the development of the health and community services workforce and will seek to develop and deliver practical workforce solution driven by industry, for industry.
• Round one funding applications are open until 24 March 2023.

The Palaszczuk Government has chartered new territory putting $750,000 in grants funding on the table in 2022-23 for not-for-profit community organisations, industry organisations, an enterprise or group of enterprises to design and implement projects to meet the gaps in local workforce planning and development for these sectors.

The funding, part of an almost $2 million three-year package, is available through the newly formed Queensland Care Consortium (QCC) which supports the development of the health and community services workforce.

This is the first time Queensland Care Consortium grants have been made available.

The QCC is a partnership between Jobs Queensland, CheckUP Australia, the Community Services Industry Alliance (CSIA), Queensland Council of Social Services (QCOSS) and The Services Union.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer officially launched Queensland Care Consortium today.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer:

“Queensland has proven to be Australia’s employment powerhouse, leading the nation in job creation.

“The Queensland Care Consortium will help address key workforce issues impacting the Queensland health and community services sectors, including the growing demand for workers in human services and the need to attract and retain a skilled workforce.

“The launch of the Queensland Care Consortium demonstrates the strong collaboration between industry, the Palaszczuk government and community to address workforce issues and drive solutions.

“Linked to the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy, this is the first time funding of this kind has been made available to the health and community services sectors to create and implement sector-led workforce development, attraction and retention strategies, and help address sector workforce issues.

“Queensland’s Workforce Strategy will drive us towards opportunities with a clear vision — a strong and diverse workforce ready to seize today’s jobs and adapt to future opportunities.

 “For the work that has been done already, I want to thank our key industry, community and education partners and I encourage stakeholders to apply for the Queensland Care Consortium grants to come up with innovative workforce solutions.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch:

“We know the demand for community care and human services is growing each year,” she said.

“The Queensland Government is committed to supporting innovative, community-driven projects that respond to specific needs, where they are delivered.”

“This funding, through the Queensland Care Consortium, for the health and community services sectors will support the sector to build their capability and capacity; and to develop and nurture sustainable local solutions.”

“Community-led and place-based approaches are highly effective and will help the workforce respond to local issues.”

Quotes attributable to Jobs Queensland Board Chair Donna Bonney:

“According to Jobs Queensland’s Anticipating Future Skills Series, by 2024-25 it is projected that the Queensland Health and Community Services sectors will employ more than 440,800 people,” she said.

“The challenge now, for almost all employers, is attracting, developing and retaining a skilled workforce in a tight labour market.”

“Jobs Queensland is the delivery partner for the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy key action to partner with health and community services sectors to create and implement sector-led workforce development, attraction and retention strategies,” she said.

“The Queensland Care Consortium will support these sectors to plan, develop and deliver practical workforce solutions driven by industry, for industry.”

“Round one funding applications are now open to not-for-profit community organisations, industry organisations, an enterprise, or a group of enterprises, to work together and implement place-based workforce development, attraction and retention, or skilling activities that address current and future workforce gaps.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing what new and innovative projects will be developed and implemented to meet the gaps in local workforce planning, attraction, retention and development efforts for these sectors, and sharing the outcomes of these activities across the sector”.

Explainer/fast fact and or further information:

More information about the Queensland Care Consortium and project funding can be found at www.jobsqueensland.qld.gov.au/qcc.

Successful applicants of the project funding will be advised from late April 2023.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Minister Farmer – Nicola Field 0497 940 285