Workforce

How we help build the workforce

The Collaborative Centre coordinates, promotes and delivers workforce development opportunities for Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing workforce, strengthening capability across roles, settings and disciplines.

As recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, this work goes beyond skills. It supports the culture, structures and power dynamics that shape care, and contributes to a learning mental health system where people and organisations can reflect, adapt and improve.

Central to this is embedding Lived and Living Experience leadership and recognising the expertise of practitioners, carers, families and communities as equally vital to reform.

Connecting and collaborating for a shared vision

We build on the strong foundations of the Centre for Mental Health Learning, continuing and expanding this work across Victoria. Our mission is to support and grow workforce capability, contributing to a compassionate, human rights-based and healing system. We do this by connecting people with existing expertise, training and resources, promoting good practice, and creating opportunities to share knowledge and learn together.

At the Centre, we recognise the many organisations and experts already leading this work, and it is our role to connect, amplify and collaborate so that these efforts contribute to a shared vision for a capable, empowered and healing workforce.

Spotlight on Capabilities

The Spotlight on Capabilities series brings the sector together to focus on key capability areas that strengthen practice across Victoria's mental health and wellbeing system through stories, tools, events and practical resources.

What is the Development Needs Analysis (DNA)

With the Department of Health’s support, the Victorian Collaborative Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing (VCCMHW) is undertaking a development needs analysis of the whole Victorian mental health and wellbeing workforce. This analysis will directly inform the development of a targeted, three-year workforce development strategy for both the Collaborative Centre and the department’s Mental Health and AOD Workforce Development team.

About our workforce development function

We’re part of a statewide effort to create a learning ecosystem where everyone working in the mental health and wellbeing system can access meaningful learning, high-quality education, and professional development, regardless of discipline, background, experience, or location.

Our approach is collaborative, evidence-informed and grounded in Lived and Living Experience. It recognises that true reform comes from shifting power, sharing knowledge and valuing every form of clinical, professional, cultural and personal expertise.

Together, we’re building a workforce that is skilled, connected and supported to deliver compassionate, person-centred care and healing.

Explore workforce support and development

The Collaborative Centre supports workforce development across Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing system. We work to strengthen capability, connection and learning across roles, settings and disciplines, grounded in Lived and Living Experience.

Workforce insights

We share what we are learning from the workforce across Victoria, including priority needs and emerging gaps to inform workforce development. Highlighted through our Development Needs Analysis (DNA) and Spotlight on Capabilities.

See workforce insights

Learning and development hub

Offering resources for educators and the workforce, as well as our eLearning portal. Here, you can find learning opportunities, resources, and training to help support ongoing development in the mental health and wellbeing workforce.

View L&D hub

Foundations and leadership

We support discipline leadership, supervision, statewide educators, and the Lived and Living Experience workforce with practical supports that build capability, confidence, and leadership in Victoria’s mental health and wellbeing workforce.

Foundations and leadership