January 28, 2026Northern Health has been recognised as an Employer of Choice in the prestigious Australian Business Awards 2025, affirming its commitment to creating a workplace that maximises the potential of its people through effective policies and practices in recruitment, engagement, and retention.
Guided by the values of Safe, Kind, Together, Northern Health has cultivated a workplace culture that prioritises psychological safety, continuous learning, and genuine respect for diversity. This commitment is embedded in the organisation’s Strategic Plan 2025–2029, which focuses on building leadership capability, promoting equity, and supporting staff wellbeing and resilience.
Northern Health invests heavily in education and development, offering tailored programs for graduates, emerging leaders, and experienced professionals. Partnerships with universities and research institutions foster innovation and evidence-based practice, while digital platforms ensure learning remains accessible and future-ready.
Results from the 2024 People Matter Survey highlight Northern Health’s success in creating a high-performing and engaged workforce, with significant improvements across key indicators such as learning and development, career progression, and job satisfaction – exceeding sector benchmarks.
Northern Health also leads in employee wellbeing and safety, delivering sector-leading initiatives in injury prevention, flexible work arrangements, and mental health support. A holistic wellbeing agenda includes mindfulness programs, peer support, physiotherapy clinics, and safe spaces across campuses. Staff actively shape these initiatives, ensuring they remain relevant and responsive.
Recognition is deeply embedded in Northern Health’s culture, with biannual awards, external secondments, and annual service honours celebrating staff contributions and reinforcing pride and purpose. Inclusive recruitment practices and succession planning further support retention and internal mobility.
“This award validates our commitment to creating a workplace where every individual feels valued, supported, and empowered to deliver exceptional care to our community. Thank you to each and every member of our team – this achievement belongs to all of us,” said Debra Bourne, Chief Executive.
The Australian Business Awards for Employer of Choice recognises organisations that develop workplaces that maximise the full potential of their workforce through established policies and practices which demonstrate effective employee recruitment, engagement and retention.
