Maximising workforce participation not only enables employers to draw on a larger talent pool but enables everybody to have access to employment opportunities, particularly people who have been previously underrepresented.

By increasing participation and leveraging the existing skills, experience and qualifications of potential applicants, including migrant communities, we can help to build a stronger, more resilient and capable workforce.

This also means ensuring that people have enough work to meet their needs and aspirations. Currently, almost 190,000 employed Queenslanders are actively seeking more work.

Many small businesses which are looking to increase the size and diversity of their workforce may benefit from support in attracting and retaining employees from underrepresented groups.
This includes, but is not limited to:

• women
• people with disability
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• culturally and linguistically diverse people
• the LGBTIQ+ community
• young people
• older people.

The Queensland government can help employers access information and tools to build diverse workforces, delivering the benefits that industry and employers can gain from redesigning work practices to ensure flexibility and inclusivity.

The Queensland Government already invests significantly in opportunities for Queenslanders to fully participate in the workforce, through programs such as Skilling Queenslanders for Work, Back to Work and the Social Enterprise Jobs Fund.

The Good People Good Jobs Strategy will further assist business and enhance the Governments commitment to ensuring that all Queenslanders benefit from the strength of our economy and jobs growth.

• Establish a network of Industry-based Workforce Advisors to work directly with employers to help them to address workforce challenges and diversify their workforce.
• Support more Queenslanders, particularly women, to access the workforce through fostering flexible work practices to widen the pool of available workers
• Establish a Multicultural Affairs Settlement Team to advocate and improve workforce outcomes for migrants and refugees
• Expand the Diverse Queensland Workforce Program to ensure migrants, refugees and international students have the support and guidance needed to find a fulfilling job and build rewarding careers
• Deliver the Social Enterprise Jobs Fund to support profit-for-purpose businesses and increase the participation of Queenslanders currently underrepresented in our workforce
• Partner with industry to harness the existing skills of the onshore migrant workforce, particularly to address skills shortages in high demand sectors
• Deliver the First Nations Training Strategy to support First Nations people to be better connected with training and skilling opportunities that link to sustainable local jobs
• Deliver the next state disability plan through a co-design process, incorporating priorities under Australia’s Disability Strategy 20212031 including increasing employment opportunities for people with disability.

To find out more go to Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022-2032 |