A mentally healthy workplace doesn’t happen by chance, it’s the result of deliberate actions, consistent investment, and a culture that prioritises psychological safety alongside performance. Yet many organisations are unsure where to start or how to measure progress. That’s where the Mental Health FirstAid® Workplace Recognition Program comes in. A clear, actionable framework to elevate mental health support in the workplace. Want to know how your workplace can become a recognised Skilled Workplace? Keep reading.
What is a Skilled Workplace?
A Skilled Workplace is one that takes tangible steps to up skill its people in mental health awareness and response. It’s the first step in the Workplace Recognition Program pathway, which includes three tiers: Skilled, Advanced, and Master. To become a Skilled Workplace, your organisation must meet eight key criteria, as outlined by Mental Health First Aid Australia. These criteria range from delivering Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training to leaders, to running wellbeing-focused education, and embedding peer-to-peer support systems.
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Why Become a Skilled Workplace?
- Boost employee engagement through visible commitment to wellbeing.
- Mitigate psychosocial risks, including stress, burnout, and workplace conflict.
- Build leadership capability to respond to mental health concerns with confidence and care.
- Lay the foundation for formal recognition through the Workplace Recognition Program.
Beyond these benefits, becoming a Skilled Workplace demonstrates to staff, clients, and stakeholders that your business is serious about supporting mental health and is doing more than ticking a box.
Is My Workplace Eligible?
Any organisation with a worksite in Australia is eligible to take part in the Program. That includes individual departments, single worksites within larger multi-site organisations, and even consortiums. To participate, your workplace just needs a minimum of 5 full-time equivalent (FTE) staff that are trained in MHFA.
Criteria for Becoming a Skilled Workplace
To be recognised as a Skilled Workplace, your business must meet eight of the criteria listed by MHFA Australia. The criteria are spread across four different priority areas. Some of these criteria include:
- MHFA training is incorporated into a broader framework or strategy.
- There is an annual work plan for MHFA training in the workplace.
- MHFA training is integrated into other development programs within the workplace such as leadership programs.
- The workplace provides opportunities to reflect on learning after MHFA training is delivered (e.g. lunchtime sessions to revisit the action plan or email reminders of key messages from the training).
- MHFA Officers are provided with ongoing support and continuing professional development opportunities (e.g. regular team meetings, networking with MHFA Officers, guest speakers or further related training).
- The availability and how to access MHFA Officers is promoted in the workplace.
- Employees at different levels of the organisation participate in the continual improvement of the workplace’s MHFA training program.
- The workplace evaluates the implementation, outcomes and/or impacts of MHFA training in the workplace, with the aim of continuous improvement.
Each criterion is a stepping stone toward creating a workplace where mental health is seen, supported, and safeguarded.
How Our Wellbeing Ambassador Program Supports You
One of the fastest ways to build internal momentum and meet the Skilled Workplace criteria is by implementing a Wellbeing Ambassador Program. Our program empowers your MHFA-trained team members to become champions of health and psychological safety within your workplace.
By rolling out this program, your organisation addresses two key criteria:
- Ongoing Support: Mental Health First Aid Officers are provided with ongoing support and continuing professional development opportunities (e.g. regular team meetings, networking with MHFA Officers, guest speakers or further related training).
- Wellbeing Education: The workplace provides opportunities to reflect on learning after MHFA training is delivered (e.g. lunchtime sessions to revisit the action plan or email reminders of key messages from the training).
Want to Become a Skilled Workplace?
Get in touch with our team to explore how our Wellbeing Ambassador Program can help you achieve recognition and embed a culture of support.
