Townsville Workers Gain New Stress Support Rights and Local Resources

Townsville workers filed 312 stress-related claims through the Fair Work Ombudsman in the past financial year, a figure that highlights growing use of legal protections for mental health at work.

The spike follows national changes to the Fair Work Act that took effect on 1 July 2025, giving employees stronger grounds to seek adjustments such as flexible hours or reduced caseloads when psychological injury is documented by a GP.

Local support in reach

Staff at Townsville Hospital on Eyre Street can book free confidential sessions with the hospital’s employee assistance program, which operates three days a week and includes after-hours phone support. Further north along The Strand, the City of Townsville’s wellness initiative runs monthly lunch-and-learn sessions at the Waterpark pavilion that cover breathing techniques and manager obligations under work-health laws.

Castle Hill walkers have also started informal peer groups after 6 a.m. climbs, sharing information on how to request a mental health day without using personal leave. These meet-ups began in March 2026 and now draw about 40 participants on weekday mornings.

Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics 2024-25 Work and Health Survey showed 38 per cent of Queensland employees reported moderate to high psychological distress linked to their jobs, up from 29 per cent two years earlier. Townsville’s rate sat slightly above the state average at 41 per cent.

Next steps for staff

Employees should first speak with their GP for a referral to a local psychologist and keep written records of workload changes or incidents that affect their wellbeing. The next Fair Work information session in Townsville is scheduled for 22 July at the Civic Theatre, with registration open through the council website.