The Education and Employment Senate Committee is conducting an inquiry into the role of Commonwealth, state, and territory Governments in addressing the high rates of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteers, with particular reference to:

1. the nature and underlying causes of mental health conditions experienced by first responders, emergency service workers and volunteers;
2. research identifying linkages between first responder and emergency service occupations, and the incidence of mental health conditions;
3. management of mental health conditions in first responder and emergency services organisations, factors that may impede adequate management of mental health within the workplace and opportunities for improvement, including:
   • reporting of mental health conditions,
   • specialised occupational mental health support and treatment services,
   • workers’ compensation,
   • workplace culture and management practices,
   • occupational function and return-to-work arrangements,
   • collaboration between first responder and emergency services organisations,
   • post-retirement mental health support services, and
   • resource allocation; and
4. any other related matters.

The AFPA is currently preparing a submission for this inquiry on behalf of members.

If you have any information or experiences you would like us to consider for inclusion in the submission, please send us an email at afpa@afpa.org.au by Tuesday, 12 June.

Any information put forward will be de-identified and members will remain anonymous, unless otherwise specified.