🚑 Queensland Health: Your Fast-Track Guide to Australia’s Biggest Health Employer 🚀
Ready to move into—or move up within—the Australian public-sector health system? In less than ten minutes, get the essentials on Queensland Health so you can decide if this $38 billion powerhouse is the right fit for your next career step.
AT-A-GLANCE
Name of Department / Council: Queensland Health (Department of Health)
Location: State-wide across Queensland, Australia
CEO: Director-General Michael Walsh (MBA, BA Psych, BSc, BEd)
Total Revenue (2023-24): $38.41 billion
Total Number of Employees (FTE): ≈ 109,463
DID YOU KNOW? 🤔
Queensland Health hit its target of 5,800 new nurses and midwives—six months ahead of schedule and is on track to add thousands more frontline roles, making it one of the fastest-growing public-sector employers in the country.
THE QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATIONS, TRADES, PROFESSIONS, WORK EXPERIENCES & SKILLS MOST SUITED TO QUEENSLAND HEALTH
Top 5 academic qualifications
Bachelor of Nursing – Core qualification for hospital and community nursing services.
Doctor of Medicine (MD) – Enables clinical leadership within hospitals and specialist services.
Bachelor of Allied Health (e.g., Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy) – Supports rehabilitation and community-based care.
Master of Health Administration (MHA) – Equips professionals to manage large-scale public health programs.
Diploma of Laboratory Technology – Essential for pathology and diagnostic testing labs.
Top 5 certifications
AHPRA Registration – Mandatory for all clinical practitioners.
Project Management Professional (PMP) – Valuable for capital projects and digital-health roll-outs.
CPA/CA (Accounting) – Critical for roles in the $38 billion budget portfolio.
Certificate IV in Training & Assessment – Enables clinicians to mentor and upskill staff.
ITIL Foundation – Supports eHealth and statewide digital-health systems.
Top 5 trades / professions
Registered Nurse / Midwife – Frontline patient care across 16 Hospital & Health Services.
Medical Officer / Specialist – Diagnostics, surgery, emergency, and telehealth.
Paramedic – Queensland Ambulance Service integration.
Biomedical Engineer – Maintains cutting-edge medical equipment across facilities.
Carpenter / Electrician (Hospital Maintenance) – Keeps critical infrastructure safe and operational.
Top 5 skills
Clinical Decision-Making – Direct impact on patient outcomes.
Data Analysis & Reporting – Informs statewide performance and funding decisions.
Stakeholder Engagement – Coordinates with HHSs and private partners.
Change Management – Supports continual system reform initiatives.
Digital Health Literacy – Enables use of integrated electronic Medical Record (ieMR) and telehealth.
Top 5 work-experience areas
Acute Hospital Care – Aligns with 46 % of QH expenditure on inpatient services .
Community or Primary Health – Growing prevention and outreach programs.
Large-Scale Project Delivery – Matches multibillion-dollar infrastructure pipeline.
Public-Sector Finance – Supports complex healthcare funding models.
Emergency Response / Disaster Management – Integral to the Office of the Chief Health Officer’s mandate.
THE KEY FACTS
Name of Department: Queensland Health
Name of CEO: Michael Walsh
Location: Operates across all Queensland regions (metro, regional, remote)
Year Founded: Origins in early-20th-century state health services; current department formalised under Queensland legislation
Main Mission & Purpose: Provide leadership and direction to enable a safe, responsive public health system delivering quality care for all Queenslanders. Example: statewide nurse-to-patient-ratio initiatives improving bedside care.
Main Duties: Fund, regulate, and oversee 16 Hospital & Health Services, Queensland Ambulance Service, and public-health programs. Example: BreastScreen Queensland conducts 200 k+ cancer-screening tests annually, reducing late-stage diagnoses.
Key Projects / Strategic Priorities / Future Plans:
$14 billion capital program via Health Infrastructure Qld
Expansion of Hospital-in-the-Home and virtual-care models
System-wide digital transformation (ieMR, tele-ICU)
Workforce Attraction Incentive Scheme (up to $20k relocation bonus)
THE EMPLOYEES & REVENUE
Total Number of Employees (FTE): ≈ 109,463 FTE; 64.7 % frontline, 35.3 % corporate
Total Number of Employees at each pay level: Not publicly itemised; however 86.5 % hold permanent appointments, providing long-term job security
Salary Bands:
Nursing & Midwifery: ~$72k–$142k
Medical Officers: ~$87k (intern) – $400k+ (senior consultant)
Allied Health & Scientific: ~$70k–$135k
Corporate & ICT: ~$70k–$220k (senior executive)
Average salary (derived): ≈ $133 k per FTE (total employee expenses $14.54 billion ÷ 109,463 FTE)
Total Revenue: $38.41 billion
Average Revenue per Employee: ≈ $351 k (efficiency metric)
GETTING A JOB AT QUEENSLAND HEALTH 🔎
Which Academic Subjects are in demand?
Certificate / Diploma Level:
Cert III Pathology Collection – vital for diagnostic labs.
Diploma of Paramedical Science – pathway to QAS.
Cert IV Allied Health Assistance – supports physiotherapy & OT teams.
Bachelor / Master Level:
Nursing, Medicine, Paramedicine, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Health Informatics, Business (Health).
PhDs:
Public Health, Medical Research, Health Economics – inform policy & statewide strategies.
Trades & Professions sought after
Electricians, Plumbers, HVAC Technicians – maintain 24/7 hospital operations.
Carpenters & Fit-out specialists – critical for capital-works roll-outs.
Work-Experience areas valued
Large tertiary hospital rotations
Remote or rural clinical placements
Project management of health-IT or infrastructure
Government budgeting and procurement
Quality & safety improvement initiatives
Skills that make you stand out
Soft skills: Empathy, communication, teamwork, adaptability
Technical skills: Clinical procedures, data analytics, ICT systems (ieMR), procurement frameworks
General skills: Report writing, stakeholder negotiation, risk management
Hobbies & Interests that align 🎯
Community volunteering, first-aid coaching, health promotion events, coding health apps, or participating in medical research hackathons—each shows genuine engagement with public health and service.
Want more information on this organisation? 📞
Queensland Health Recruitment (Careers)
Website (vacancies + grad programs): https://www.smartjobs.qld.gov.au
General Enquiries: 13 QGOV (13 74 68)
Address (Head Office): 1 William St, Brisbane Q 4000
Email (HR): Careers@health.qld.gov.au
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DISCLAIMER
The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available information, including annual reports. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, accuracy, reliability, suitability, or availability with respect to the information on this article. Any reliance you place on such information is therefore strictly at your own risk. In no event will we be liable for any loss or damage including without limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage, or any loss or damage whatsoever arising from loss of data or profits arising out of, or in connection with, the use of this article.