Caring for Those Who Care
At Northern Health, we understand that while we’re in the business of caring for others, it’s just as important to care for ourselves. That’s why we’re committed to helping every staff member thrive, personally and professionally.
We live our values by creating a safe, inclusive, and supportive workplace that nurtures the physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and social wellbeing of our people.
A Person-Centred Approach to Wellbeing
Wellbeing at Northern Health is embedded across all levels of our organisation. We take a person-centred approach, integrating psychological health and safety into our culture, teams, and everyday work.
Our wellbeing program is guided by the Beyond Blue Good Practice Framework, which focuses on three pillars:
Protect –protecting mental health by reducing work-related risk factors for mental health conditions and increasing protective factors
Promote –promoting mental health and wellbeing by developing the positive aspects of work as well as workers’ strengths and capabilities
Support –addressing mental health difficulties and conditions among workers regardless of whether the workplace was a contributing factor
THRIVE: Our Wellbeing Program
We offer a comprehensive range of initiatives through our THRIVE Wellbeing Program, designed to support staff and their immediate families:
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Confidential, short-term support from qualified professionals including psychologists, nutritionists, financial and legal advisors, and management coaches.
Peer Support Network
A team of trained Northern Health staff volunteers offering practical, peer-to-peer support and referrals for work and personal challenges.
Education & Support Services
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Sessions
- Mental Health First Aid Training
- Critical Incident Response and Support
Health & Wellness Resources
- MyNorthernHealth App – A free tool to help manage fatigue and stress, especially for shift workers
- Staff Physiotherapy & Exercise Physiology Clinics
- Free Annual Influenza Vaccination Program
We continually evolve our wellbeing offerings based on staff feedback, ensuring they remain relevant and impactful.
Promoting a Culture of Wellbeing
Throughout the year, we actively participate in national campaigns such as R U OK? Day and Safe Work Month, reinforcing our commitment to health, wellbeing, and safety.
Celebrating Our People at Northern Health
At Northern Health, we believe every day should be a great day to work here. We deeply value the dedication, compassion, and professionalism our staff bring to their roles—and to the patients and communities we serve. To show our appreciation, we offer a range of employee recognition initiatives and benefits that celebrate excellence, commitment, and contribution.
Staff Recognition Awards
Honouring outstanding achievements and contributions across our workforce. These awards celebrate individuals and teams who go above and beyond in delivering exceptional care and service.
Annual Service Awards
More than just tenure—our Service Awards recognise the talent, impact, and accomplishments of staff throughout their careers at Northern Health.
Employee Appreciation Day & Monthly Raffle
We celebrate our people not just once a year, but all year round. Our monthly raffles and annual appreciation events are a fun and meaningful way to say thank you.
Recognition of Prior Service
We acknowledge continuous service across Victorian public hospitals, in line with relevant agreements—because every contribution matters.
We’re proud to foster a culture where recognition is part of everyday life. Because when we care for our people, they can continue to care for others.
Staff Benefits
NH staff have access to many benefits including:
- Salary packaging up to $11,659.94 for living, entertainment and holiday expenses, plus uncapped salary packaging on staff carparking, self-education, professional membership fees, portable devices used for work purposes and income protection. All to help our staff increase take-home pay.
- 17.5% Annual Leave Loading (EBA dependent).
- 5 weeks Annual Leave (EBA dependent).
- Novated lease options to upgrade and manage car costs.
- Free and confidential access to counselling and other lifestyle supports (financial, legal, nutrition) for staff and their immediate family via our EAP program.
- Retailer discounts on private health insurance, entertainment, dining, health and fitness, beauty, travel and accommodation, banking, childcare, apparel, groceries and many more weekly household expenses.
- Discounted gym access for staff and their household members at hundreds of fitness centres across Australia.
- Free flu vaccinations to keep you healthy and well.
Workplace Flexibility
Northern Health recognises that healthy work-life balance supports happier, healthier and higher performing people. We help our staff achieve this through a range of options including part-time and casual hours, flexible working arrangements, remote work arrangements (role dependent), ADOs, purchased leave, an extra week of annual leave each year and extra personal leave that increases with your tenure (EBA dependent), parental leave, and cultural and ceremonial leave.
