The Queensland Alliance for Mental Health (QAMH) proudly supports the Activate Australia’s Skills campaign, which champions a fair, transparent, and nationally consistent approach to recognising overseas qualifications.

Australia’s community mental health and wellbeing sector is enriched by a skilled and passionate workforce, yet growing demand means there is an ongoing need for more qualified professionals. Across the country, many highly trained migrants bring valuable knowledge and experience that can strengthen our services and communities. National research shows that 44% of permanent migrants are working below their skill level – over 621,000 people whose expertise could help fill critical workforce gaps. By creating clear and consistent pathways for recognising these skills, we can unlock this potential and build a stronger, more responsive workforce.

Supporting skilled migrants to work in their chosen fields enhances both productivity and wellbeing. When people are included and able to contribute their expertise, communities thrive – social cohesion deepens, belonging grows, and collective wellbeing improves. Recognising diverse professional backgrounds benefits not only individuals but the broader Australian society.

QAMH believes that enabling skilled professionals from all backgrounds to participate fully in the workforce will help create a sustainable and inclusive community mental health system. A more diverse workforce brings cultural insight, empathy, and lived understanding, which are key strengths in supporting the mental health and wellbeing of Queensland’s multicultural communities.

We support the campaign’s call for:

• A single national governance system with an Ombudsman to ensure fairness and accountability.
• Streamlined pathways linking skills recognition with licensing and accreditation for employment.
• Financial support and a clear online portal to remove cost and information barriers.
• Migrant Employment Pathway Hubs with expert navigators to help skilled migrants return to their professions.

By endorsing Activate Australia’s Skills, QAMH joins a national movement that values every person’s contribution and expertise. Together, we can expand opportunity, strengthen essential services, and foster a fairer, more connected, and mentally healthy Australia.