Our growing workforce
There is real progress in increasing the number of First Nations people working across Queensland Health, a key measure of how well we're building a more inclusive and representative workforce.
From July 2021 to May 2025, Queensland Health increased its First Nations workforce by an average of 26 identified positions each month. In the past two years, this growth accelerated to 33 positions per month.
As of May 2025, First Nations people represent 2.7% of the total Queensland Health workforce; the gap between the workforce target (3.5%) and the rate is narrowing, decreasing from 1% in July 2023 to 0.8% in May 2025.
These gains have been reflected across all workforce streams, with consistent growth in First Nations representation from July 2021 to May 2025.
Figure 1
Percentage of Queensland Health workforce that identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
2.2%
June 2021
2.7%
June 2025
This data includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers, Health Practitioners and Hospital Liaison Officers and does not, to the best of our knowledge, reflect changes due to position reclassification. The First Nations Workforce Office has validated this. Given there are significant increases in other disciplines, we do not think that the increase is an anomaly.
Figure 2
Number of First Nations workers by stream
June 2021 – June 2025
Numbers showing the growth of First Nations workers have been rounded up to the nearest whole number.
+41%
Managerial and clerical
+273 workers
+37%
Medical including VMO
+31 workers
+59%
Nursing
+461 workers
+39%
Operational
+134 workers
+70%
Professional and technical
+143 workers
+25%
Trade and artisan
+3 workers
* Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Health Practitioners, and Hospital Liaison Officers
Elevating First Nations health leadership
Story | Metro South
The blend of clinical and cultural is what drives Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker Brett Mooney, a mainland Torres Strait Islander, who has ties to the Kemer Kemer Meriam and Maluligal nations.
'If I took ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’ off my title, any health professional could do my job’ Brett said.
‘But because that comes first, it’s about my culture as much as my qualifications.'
‘If I don’t apply my culture to this role, the gap doesn’t close.’
Brett Mooney
Source
- Queensland Health, Office of the Chief Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workforce Officer, Queensland Government, unpublished, accessed 22 July 2025.