- A new $1.5 million grant program is now open to strengthen workforce capability and improve suicide prevention outcomes in Queensland’s tertiary education sector.
- The Tertiary Transformation Grants will support initiatives that embed suicide prevention and alcohol and other drugs competencies into curricula, address stigma and build education-to-employment pathways.
- The grant program will also support suicide prevention for staff and students in tertiary settings.
A new $1.5 million grant program will strengthen Queensland’s suicide prevention and alcohol andother drugs (AOD) workforce capability.
The Queensland Government’s Tertiary Transformation Grants will support Queensland tertiary education providers to embed lived-living experience co-designed suicide prevention, AOD and stigma reduction competencies into tertiary curricula.
Tertiary education is a key pathway for developing Queensland’s suicide prevention and AOD workforces and building essential clinical and non-clinical workforce capability.
The grants will also deliver settings-based suicide prevention and postvention initiatives to students and staff of tertiary institutions.
This recognises a range of risk factors in education settings, such as financial stress, study pressures and stigma, as well as an opportunity to intervene early with approaches customised for these populations.
Quotes attributable to Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic:
“This initiative will equip the next generation of professionals across multiple disciplines with the skills and confidence to support Queenslanders at risk.
“The tertiary education sector plays a vital role in preparing students with the skills, knowledge and approaches needed to support people at risk of suicide or experiencing AOD concerns.
“Workforce capability is one of the most effective ways we can improve outcomes for Queenslanders needing support.”
Applications are open until 6 February 2026.
For more information, visit https://www.qmhc.qld.gov.au/about/funding/tertiary-transformation-grants.
Communicating safely
Language matters. Review the Mindframe guidelines for safe reporting about mental health, alcohol and other drugs, and suicide: https://mindframe.org.au/our-words-matter-guidelines-for-language-use.
Support services
Lifeline | 13 11 14 | www.lifeline.org.au/gethelp
Suicide Call Back Service | 1300 659 467 | www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au
MensLine Australia | 1300 789 978 | www.mensline.org.au
Beyond Blue Support Service | 1300 224 636 | www.beyondblue.org.au
13YARN | 13 92 76 | www.13yarn.org.au
SANE Australia Helpline | 1800 187 263 | www.sane.org
QLife (LGBTIQA+) | 1800 184 527 | www.qlife.org.au
Kids Helpline | 1800 551 800 | www.kidshelpline.com.au
Arafmi carer support line | 1300 554 660 | https://arafmi.com.au/
Defence Family Helpline | 1800 624 608 | www.defence.gov.au/dco/defence-helpline.asp
Post bereavement support services
StandBy Response Service | 1300 727 247 | www.standbysupport.com.au
National Indigenous Critical Response Service | 1800 805 801
Media Contact:
Queensland Mental Health Commission 1300 855 945 or media@qmhc.qld.gov.au.
