National Workforce Survey 2026 Now Open: Help Shape the Future of Child, Parent and Family Mental Health Support

Emerging Minds is inviting professionals across Australia to participate in the National Workforce Survey 2026, a vital initiative designed to better understand workforce capabilities in supporting child, parent and family mental health.  

The survey is open to people working in the health, education, social services and community services sectors, regardless of whether they work directly with children, families or mental health-related issues.

Why the Survey Matters 

As mental health needs continue to evolve across Australia, understanding the strengths, challenges and development needs of the workforce is essential. The National Workforce Survey collects information about practitioners': 

• Knowledge and understanding of child mental health 
• Skills and professional capabilities 
• Confidence in responding to mental health concerns 
• Current practices and approaches 
• Challenges faced when supporting children and families  

The findings will provide valuable insights that help inform future workforce planning, policy development, advocacy efforts and professional learning opportunities. The results will also contribute to the creation of practical resources and support tools tailored to the needs of professionals across sectors. [ 

Who Should Participate? 

Emerging Minds encourages participation from professionals working across Australia who are employed in: 

• Health services 
• Education settings 
• Social services 
• Community services sectors  

You are encouraged to take part whether you: 

• Work primarily with children 
• Support adults or families 
• Hold leadership, administrative or non-client-facing roles within these sectors  

Importantly, participants do not need to specialise in mental health or work directly with children to complete the survey. A broad range of perspectives is needed to create an accurate picture of the workforce and its future needs.  

Supporting Better Outcomes for Children and Families 

The National Workforce Survey plays a key role in helping Emerging Minds understand how professionals across different industries contribute to the wellbeing of children and families. By participating, practitioners can help identify workforce strengths, highlight areas for improvement and influence future resources and training programs.  

A diverse and representative response from across the country will ensure the survey findings reflect the realities of Australia's workforce and support effective planning for the years ahead.  

For more information and to participate, visit the Emerging Minds National Workforce Survey 2026 page: https://emergingminds.com.au/national-workforce-survey-2026/