SDG 3 Good Health and Wellbeing

• CQUniversity's 10,00 Steps program - led by Professor Corneel Vandelanotte, and Health and Wellbeing Queensland have joined forces encouraging Queenslanders to take on '10000 Steps Challenge' to boost physical activity. The 10,000 Steps Program is a free, evidence-based multi-strategy behaviour change program that supports people to increase their awareness and participation in physical activity by tracking steps, setting goals, and finding ways to be active as a part of their everyday lives. We provide a range of strategies and resources for workplaces and communities to support their employees or community members to live active and healthy lives. The Program is delivered via an interactive web and mobile apps (iOS and Android) with email and phone support from project researchers based at CQUniversity. The 10,000 Steps Program is delivered by CQUniversity and funded by Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Queensland Government, and Preventive Health SA, Government of South Australia.
• Regional Medical Pathway - CQUniversity has partnered with The University of Queensland, Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services to address the difficulties in attracting and retaining doctors in regional, remote and rural areas.
  The Regional Medical Pathway is a medical education and training pathway pioneered by CQUniversity, The University of Queensland, and the Central Queensland and Wide Bay Hospital and Health Services. First established in 2021, the pathway allows up to 60 students per year to complete their entire medical studies in regional Queensland. Students complete a three-year Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathway to Medicine) course with CQUniversity, before moving into UQ’s four-year MD program, with both education programs delivered locally in Bundaberg or Rockhampton. As part of the partnership, the Hospital and Health Services will provide students with internship opportunities and postgraduate training places within their regional footprints. 
• Hands On Health Australia (HoHa) - CQUniversity has been partnering with Hands On Health Australia (HoHA) since 2019 to provide chiropractic care to members of the local community who were in need of chiropractic care and were unable to afford it previously. CQUniversity’s collaboration with Hands On Health Australia (HoHA) plays a critical role in providing high-quality healthcare services to marginalized and disadvantaged communities. The Mackay Chiropractic clinic is one of HoHA's 10 clinics across Australia, which collectively deliver around 30,000 treatments annually, alleviating pressure on the healthcare system and saving the government an estimated $3 million each year. By addressing chronic pain and illness, the clinics help clients experience significant improvements in their quality of life. This collaboration exemplifies the power of community-driven healthcare, creating lasting positive impacts on individual well-being and public health.
• U-Beach - U-Beach is a project driven by CQUniversity, in collaboration with Bundaberg Regional Council, Surf Lifesaving Queensland, Community Lifestyle Support, and Rotary Bundaberg Region, as well as local education providers and sporting clubs to break down the barriers to beach access for people living with a disability in the region. The U-BEACH project is a collaborative project led by CQUniversity Physiotherapy academics to inform planning for improved beach accessibility throughout Australia, facilitating health and wellbeing impacts for beach-based therapeutic interventions.
• Silver-Q- CQUniversity and The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School (UQRCS) have celebrated a decade of delivering an important collaborative learning experience for nursing and medical students in the Wide Bay, known as SILVER-Q.
• Aged-care workforce program- A new industry-linked careers pathway program has been established at Maryborough State High School (MSHS), to develop a workforce pipeline program to meet the growing demand in the aged care sector.

• 10 0000 STEPS - 10 000 Steps is a physical activity initiative lead by CQUniversity funded by the Australian Government. 10 000 Steps sees collaborations occur at the national level with workplaces and the general community to promote walking and improved individual health and well-being.  Community grants are available to organisations to implement the 10 000 Steps program.  Government funding has also been invested to upgrade facilities at national parks, like walking trails, to protect the environment and encourage physical activity.
• Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) - In 2018, CQUniversity and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (Queensland Section) entered into a strategic partnership to collaborate on research initiatives focused on sustainable healthcare, while also providing valuable placement opportunities for CQUniversity students. This ongoing agreement aims to strengthen healthcare accessibility across regional and rural communities in Queensland. By combining CQUniversity’s academic expertise with the RFDS’s extensive healthcare network, the partnership fosters innovative research and practical solutions to address the unique healthcare challenges faced by remote populations. This collaboration continues to play a vital role in improving health outcomes and ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for rural Queenslanders.
• National Heart Foundation of Australia - CQUniversity is an active member of the Queensland Cardiovascular Research Network (QCRN), which unites the cardiovascular research community across Queensland. Our researchers engage in innovative projects funded by the National Heart Foundation, contributing to the advancement of cardiovascular health. The QCRN serves as a vital framework for enhancing cardiovascular research in Queensland by fostering multi-disciplinary collaborations, attracting new funding, and building research capacity. Additionally, it acts as a unified voice for cardiovascular research in the region, ensuring that the benefits generated from this research are maximized for the community. Through this partnership, CQUniversity is committed to improving health outcomes and driving impactful research in cardiovascular health.
• Manna Institute - The Manna Institute empowers communities to take charge of their mental health and wellbeing by building capacity and implementing targeted solutions for priority populations. As part of a three-year strategy, it aims to enhance mental health in rural, regional, and remote Australia through meaningful research and the development of professional workforces. The Institute operates virtually, uniting leading mental health researchers from seven universities in the Regional Universities Network (RUN), including CQUniversity. Collaborating with industry and community partners such as Everymind and Lifeline Direct, the Manna Institute tailors solutions to meet the specific needs of regional communities, translating research findings into practical, localized programs.
• Gambling Research Australia - CQUniversity researchers participate in research projects funded by the Gambling Research Australia with Professor Nerilee Hing leading a study into how to reduce and prevent gambling harm.
• Queensland Health - CQUniversity partnered with Queensland Health and University of Queensland Rural Clinical School to create a Regional Medical Pathway.

• Aged Care in Rural Areas (ARCA)- this research collaboration works with local communities to design better services to create sustainable solutions in aged care in Australia and Sweden. The ARCA research team is committed to redefining aged care services in rural regions. Through community engagement, ACRA focuses on co-designing sustainable solutions tailored to the unique needs of older adults in these areas. Their initiatives aim to address critical gaps in effective services, particularly in home-based care, where access, resource limitations, and workforce challenges pose significant barriers.
  
  In collaboration with local stakeholders, the ACRA team conducts research and outreach programs that promote health and wellbeing. For instance, the team’s study in the Central Highlands of Queensland involves interviews with healthcare and social service providers to identify key issues and opportunities for innovation in aged care. By fostering local collaboration and a strengths-based approach, ACRA ensures that communities can take ownership of their aged care programs, ultimately improving outcomes for older Australians.
  
  The Storuman Cares project in Sweden further exemplifies ACRA's impact, as it explores sustainable models of care for older populations living in remote areas. By sharing knowledge and approaches internationally, ACRA strengthens its capacity to address aged care challenges on a global scale.
   
• Pokhara Fishtail Hospital, Nepal - CQUniversity and the Pokhara Fishtail Hospital have an established relationship in which the Nepalese Hospital hosts CQUniversity students on clinical placements and CQUniversity supports local health initiatives. This is an ongoing collaboration that has been in place for over a decade. In addition to gaining valuable clinical knowledge, the students contributed to the local community by donating food, medical supplies, and medications collected prior to their departure. They also provided scholarships to three nursing students at Fishtail Nursing College and supported the establishment of a New Life Centre for malnutrition prevention and treatment. Supported by the New Colombo Plan funding and CQU mobility scholarships, gained insights into the stark realities of poverty in Nepal. 
   
• Salaam Baalak Trust, India - CQUniversity is a partner with the Salaam Baalak Trust and supports its WALK project. CQUniversity health students visit Salaam Baalak and participate in local health projects. Over 170 million Indian children lack adequate care and protection, many of whom are orphans, victims of violence, or separated from their parents. The Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT) was established in New Delhi in 1989 to support street and working children. SBT now operates 10 residential centres and outreach programs, employing 97 staff and caring for over 5,000 children annually. The Trust provides health care, counselling, education, nutrition, and opportunities for skill development and vocational training, aiming to mainstream these children back into society. Over 24 years, approximately 24,000 children have benefited from its programs. CQUniversity has been committed to supporting SBT since 2011, through sponsorship and scholarships for former street children pursuing higher education in India. Currently, CQUniversity funds the tertiary education of 12 graduates in diverse fields, allowing them to share accommodations and build new lives.

Ongoing Health Outreach Programs

• Our Student Health Clinics operate in Rockhampton, Mackay, Sydney, and Brisbane. Our Health Clinics deliver a range of health services to staff and students, as well as the general public. With state-of-the art health facilities, the Health Clinics provide practical learning environments for students under clinical supervision by registered health professionals. The clinics are a collaboration between health care practitioners and our students to deliver local health services in oral health, speech pathology, physiotherapy, podiatry, and chiropractic services.
• Hands On Health Australia (HoHa) - CQUniversity has been partnering with Hands On Health Australia (HoHA) since 2019 to provide chiropractic care to members of the local community who were in need of chiropractic care and were unable to afford it previously. CQUniversity’s collaboration with Hands On Health Australia (HoHA) plays a critical role in providing high-quality healthcare services to marginalized and disadvantaged communities. The Mackay Chiropractic clinic is one of HoHA's 10 clinics across Australia, which collectively deliver around 30,000 treatments annually, alleviating pressure on the healthcare system and saving the government an estimated $3 million each year. By addressing chronic pain and illness, the clinics help clients experience significant improvements in their quality of life. This collaboration exemplifies the power of community-driven healthcare, creating lasting positive impacts on individual well-being and public health.
• CQUniversity's 10,00 Steps program - led by Professor Corneel Vandelanotte, and Health and Wellbeing Queensland have joined forces encouraging Queenslanders to take on '10000 Steps Challenge' to boost physical activity. The 10,000 Steps Program is a free, evidence-based multi-strategy behaviour change program that supports people to increase their awareness and participation in physical activity by tracking steps, setting goals, and finding ways to be active as a part of their everyday lives. We provide a range of strategies and resources for workplaces and communities to support their employees or community members to live active and healthy lives. The Program is delivered via an interactive web and mobile apps (iOS and Android) with email and phone support from project researchers based at CQUniversity. The 10,000 Steps Program is delivered by CQUniversity and funded by Health and Wellbeing Queensland, Queensland Government, and Preventive Health SA, Government of South Australia.
• Choices – Since 1999, the Choices program, a collaborative effort between CQU's Conservatorium of Music, the Mackay Crime Prevention Unit, and various community and government agencies, has reached over 2,500 secondary students annually in Queensland. This applied theatre project utilizes a music theatre format, incorporating comic skits, songs, and dance to convey important safety messages related to alcohol, drugs, road safety, domestic violence, and sexual activity. Recognized for its impact, Choices won the Australian Financial Review Community Engagement Project of the Year in 2017 and the Business HE Round Table Award for Best Community Engagement in 2013. The program was developed to effectively communicate health and safety information to Year 12 students prior to their Schoolies celebrations, serving as a valuable complement to school drug education programs. Led by CQUniversity Bachelor of Theatre students, Choices features a 45-minute presentation that includes over 30 updated key messages, and it tours high schools in Central and North Queensland, engaging thousands of students each year.
• Safety Circus – Safety Circus is an award winning 40 minute children's musical that addresses various issues of children's safety including road and personal safety. It tours annually to Year 3 classes in primary schools across regional Queensland and has reached over 23,500 students. The musical theatre production employs drama, music, and dance to convey important messages about protective behaviors, bike safety, and anti-bullying strategies. Over its decade-long run, Safety Circus has been performed more than 350 times at over 450 schools. The project is a collaboration between CQUniversity and the Mackay Crime Prevention Unit, emphasizing early intervention in building positive relationships between children and police. In 2021, the script was updated to align with the Daniel Morcombe Foundation Child Safety Initiative, enhancing its relevance. The involvement of local talent and community partnerships has contributed to its sustained success and engagement.
• The 'Poop it' kit aims to enhance the wellbeing of children aged four to eight by addressing bowel issues through engaging characters and narratives. The kit includes educational resources such as humorous storybooks featuring stool characters based on the Bristol Stool Chart, posters, games, and a user guide. The kit teaches children to identify their stool types and understand their digestive health. 

Local Outreach Programs

• Students and staff in Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, Occupational therapy, Speech Pathology and Oral Health volunteered their services to provide treatment and advice at a range of outreach and community events throughout the year including:
  • Partnership with Football Queensland
  • Rockhampton River Run
  • Queensland State Championship Baseball Tournament
  • Bidgerdii Children and Family Centre
  • Little Deadlies Day Out
  • Junior Squash Titles
  • Professional Pickleball Association Tour
  • Brisbane mobile clinics

Outreach Programs for Disadvantaged People

• Physiotherapy and Oral Health students volunteered their time at the annual Homeless Connect event to offer advice and free treatment to people experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness. The Homeless Connect initiative helps those who are doing it tough and in need of essential products and services that would otherwise be difficult to access.
• Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy, Oral Health, Podiatry and Physiotherapy students volunteered at Beach Day Out to provide support and facilitate beach accessibility and activities to children and adults living with disabilities as part of the U-Beach project. U-Beach is a project driven by CQUniversity, in collaboration with Bundaberg Regional Council, Surf Lifesaving Queensland, Community Lifestyle Support, and Rotary Bundaberg Region, as well as local education providers and sporting clubs to break down the barriers to beach access for people living with a disability in the region. The U-BEACH project is a collaborative project led by CQUniversity Physiotherapy academics to inform planning for improved beach accessibility throughout Australia, facilitating health and wellbeing impacts for beach-based therapeutic interventions.
  
  As part of the U-Beach project, a Community Beach Day was held at Bargara, to improve beach access for people living with disabilities. The event offered specialist resources like beach mats and wheelchairs, as well as physical assistance for activities such as swimming, building sandcastles, and playing cricket. 
   
• Little Deadlies Day Out- Speech Pathology, Occupational Therapy and Oral health students attended this annual event for National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day. Little Deadlies Day Out aims to encourage and highlight the benefits of early education and the importance of how a kindergarten program can set a child up for lifelong learning. CQU students enjoyed sharing magnetic fishing games, blowing bubbles, leaf painting, and cleaning teeth with all the families and children in attendance. 
   
• Occupational Therapy and Speech Pathology students helped out at the Closing the Gap Day in Rockhampton.

Outreach Programs for Refugee/Immigrant Communities

• Pokhara Fishtail Hospital, Nepal - CQUniversity and the Pokhara Fishtail Hospital have an established relationship in which the Nepalese Hospital hosts CQUniversity students on clinical placements and CQUniversity supports local health initiatives. This is an ongoing collaboration that has been in place for over a decade. In addition to gaining valuable clinical knowledge, the students contributed to the local community by donating food, medical supplies, and medications collected prior to their departure. They also provided scholarships to three nursing students at Fishtail Nursing College and supported the establishment of a New Life Centre for malnutrition prevention and treatment. Supported by the New Colombo Plan funding and CQU mobility scholarships, gained insights into the stark realities of poverty in Nepal. 
   
• Salaam Baalak Trust, India - CQUniversity is a partner with the Salaam Baalak Trust and supports its WALK project. CQUniversity health students visit Salaam Baalak and participate in local health projects. Over 170 million Indian children lack adequate care and protection, many of whom are orphans, victims of violence, or separated from their parents. The Salaam Baalak Trust (SBT) was established in New Delhi in 1989 to support street and working children. SBT now operates 10 residential centres and outreach programs, employing 97 staff and caring for over 5,000 children annually. The Trust provides health care, counselling, education, nutrition, and opportunities for skill development and vocational training, aiming to mainstream these children back into society. Over 24 years, approximately 24,000 children have benefited from its programs. CQUniversity has been committed to supporting SBT since 2011, through sponsorship and scholarships for former street children pursuing higher education in India. Currently, CQUniversity funds the tertiary education of 12 graduates in diverse fields, allowing them to share accommodations and build new lives.
   
• Central Queensland Multicultural Association - located on Rockhampton North campus, CQUniversity has supported the work of CQMA for over 3 decades.

We are committed to developing and implementing a mental health strategy that promotes student and staff mental health and wellbeing and provides a positive educational and workplace experience via a healthy, resilient, inclusive, compassionate and connected University community.

MindWaves recognises the importance of a stepped care model to ensure that students and staff receive the support relevant to their needs. The three-tiered model demonstrates how the strategy is relevant for the three population groups.

• INSTITUTIONAL APPROACH: Offering Health Promotion and prevention initiatives for all students and staff.
• TARGETED ASSISTANCE: Offering Early Intervention initiatives for students and staff with identified coping concerns.
• INDIVIDUAL INTERVENTION: Providing treatment, services, and crisis response management for students and staff with mental health concerns.

CQUniversity provides free Sexual Health online courses for students, staff and the community. The modules cover the following:

• Sexual Health in Australia - Sex for Seniors
• Sexual Decision Making - Positive Youth Development
• Understanding Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity

Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service ran a pop-up health clinic for staff and students to make appointments for a free and confidential Sexual Health or Cervical Screen. 

SEXtember

CQUniversity students can access a range of events and resources as part of SEXtember. These events include a Queer Sex Education session with Naomi Hutchings, a live recording of the Take Note Podcast and a discussion with Matt Brown from She is Not Your Rehab. 

All employees have access to a free Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP is a confidential coaching, counselling and wellbeing service for employees and their eligible family members provided by an independent, professional organisation that consists of qualified, experienced professionals who have extensive training and experience in counselling, coaching and workplace consulting. The EAP provides a range of support and resources to assist employees to manage and enhance their work, health and life.

We take the health and welfare of our students very seriously, providing a wide range of support services and assistance to students on campus and online across our footprint.

Services include, but are not limited to:

• Our Counselling and Wellbeing team provide students with access to free and confidential counselling services.  The University also has an outside office hours crisis support line available within Australia, weekdays from 4.30pm to 9.00am, weekends and public holidays – phone 1300 226 987 or text 0480 097 747
• The University’s mental health plan promotes student mental health and wellbeing and helps provide a positive educational experience
• Our Indigenous Student Support team provide a great range of support and other services to help students to SEE IT, BE IT
• National Study Safety Survey (previously Respect. Now. Always.) – an initiative introduced across Australia’s universities to prevent and address sexual assault and harassment
• The University's Support for Student Policy outlines the support available to assist to you to successfully complete your studies.
• LGBTIQ support – creating a safe and supportive atmosphere for all students with a zero tolerance approach to bullying and discrimination. Read more about our Ally Program
• Spirituality – our Multi-Faith Chaplaincy is an inclusive space where students, staff and our wider communities are welcomed for reflection, worship and spiritual practice
• Health Clinics across our Rockhampton, Mackay and Sydney campuses provide physiotherapy, podiatry and chiropractic services to students and the general public.

Accessing support

If you have experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment as a member of our University community, we are here to support you.

This applies to incidents that have happened recently or in the past, and regardless of the location (off campus, in a residence, online, or on campus).

There are several ways to access support and/or make a report.

You can also access the CQU students reporting sexual assault document for more information.

Respect and Consent

We value and encourage the development of positive and respectful relationships through collaboration and interaction. Respecting others is essential in all relationships, both private and professional.

An important aspect of this is consent for any form of sexual interaction. We want to focus on healthy and respectful relationships, which emphasises the importance of giving and obtaining consent particularly before an encounter of a sexual nature, including in person, online and on mobile phones (including social media and other online platforms).

Interested in learning more? Watch the Respect. Now. Always. (Consent) video.

A full list of National Support Services can be found on the National Student Survey page.

Throughout 2024 CQUniversity celebrated the work of our staff, student and alumni in promoting good mental health within the community.

• Indian Community
• End Loneliness Inc.
• Workplace Wellbeing
• Step Into Nature
• Yarrabah and Cairns First Nations Youth
• Gladstone Community Connection and Inclusion Project
• RUOK Day

We actively share our sports facilities with the local community, including schools, sporting groups and clubs, and the general public. Our Rockhampton campus offers a range of sporting facilities that are available for hire by external groups and schools including:

• athletics oval
• rugby oval
• baseball diamond
• tennis courts
• cricket nets
• multi-purpose stadium with basketball courts, retractable seating, and a canteen area

Our CQU gym offers affordable memberships to staff, students, and the public. Memberships include access to indoor gym equipment, outdoor functional area, group fitness classes, personal training sessions, and discounts to join several structured gym challenges led by qualified trainers and nutritionists. 

Community organisations regularly use our Community Sports Centre facilities. To discuss the use of our facilities, please contact the following:

• Gym/Fitness Centre, Functional Training, Tennis Court enquiries sportscentre@cqu.edu.au
• Ovals and Stadium enquiries ovalandstadium@cqu.edu.au
• Sponsorship/In-kind enquiries sponsorship@cqu.edu.au

Sports Centre activity

We are proud to have regular users of our Community Sports Centre, and some of these clients include:

Ovals activity
Cancer Council - Relay for Life, CQ Athletics, CQ Capras, Emu Park Rugby, Local school use of athletics oval for carnivals, RACQ Community Open Day and Rockhampton Road Runners.

Stadium Courts activity
CQ Junior Robotics Competition, Frenchville Panthers Basketball, Rockhampton Basketball - CQ Cyclones Team and Rockhampton Netball Association, CQU Basketball Club, University Life Sports programs

We also support community organisations with in-kind access and use of the Community Sports Centre.

CQUniversity proudly maintains a smoke-free campus, emphasizing our commitment to health and well-being. Smoking is strictly prohibited across all University premises, grounds, and vehicles. The Smoking, Alcohol and Other Drugs in the Workplace policy includes the use and sale of tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and related items—none of which are permitted or available for purchase on campus. We actively encourage members of our community to quit smoking and encourage them to seek support through medical practitioners and our Employee Assistance Program. Together, let's foster a healthier environment for everyone.