Workforce Capability Project

INTRODUCTION

Why the Workforce Capability Framework is needed 

Australia doesn’t currently have an agreed definition of the suicide prevention workforce or a consistent national description of the capabilities needed for safe and effective practice. 

Existing approaches often focus on health and mental health services. This can overlook the contribution of people working in non-health settings and the organisational conditions needed to support good practice. 

Addressing gaps through common understanding 

The Workforce Capability Framework will create a common understanding of: 

• who contributes to suicide prevention 
• the knowledge, skills, behaviours and values needed across different roles and settings 
• the capabilities required for safe, compassionate, culturally safe and effective practice 
• how organisations can enable and sustain workforce capability. 

Consultation throughout development 

The Capability Framework will be developed through an evidence-informed and collaborative process. Consultation will take place throughout development rather than only after a draft has been completed. 

A Capability Framework Working Group will bring together expertise in lived experience, clinical and service delivery, social determinants, non-health workforces, government policy, research and workforce development. The group will help develop and test the Capability Framework’s content through a series of structured work cycles. 

Draft products will also be reviewed by National Suicide Prevention Office advisory groups, including the Lived Experience Partnership Group, Advisory Board and Jurisdictional Collaborative Forum. 

Targeted engagement will ensure the Capability Framework reflects: 

• the experiences and expertise of people with lived experience of suicide 
• the perspectives of lived experience peer workers 
• culturally safe approaches for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples 
• the needs of health and non-health workforces 
• jurisdictional, service, community and research perspectives. 

Broader consultation will include governments, service providers, peak bodies, community-managed organisations, education providers, researchers and other interested groups. This will include public consultation opportunities, supported by webinars and written feedback processes. 

Feedback will be recorded, considered and used to revise the Capability Framework. Where feedback can’t be incorporated, the reasons will be documented. Revised content will return to working and advisory groups for validation before final approval. 

Working towards a shared understanding of the capabilities required in the moments that matter. 

The Capability Framework will provide a shared national language for suicide prevention workforce capability while allowing organisations and jurisdictions to adapt it to their local context. 

It will help: 

• workers understand the capabilities relevant to their roles 
• organisations strengthen workforce development and create safer conditions for practice 
• governments and sectors coordinate workforce policy and planning 
• education and training providers align future learning and development 
• improve national monitoring and evidence-based advice about workforce capability 
• embed cultural safety and lived experience perspectives in workforce expectations. 

By creating a consistent foundation for future training, professional development and workforce planning, the Capability Framework will support a more connected, confident and capable workforce—and strengthen Australia’s collective ability to prevent suicidal distress and support people experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviours.