Building stronger pathways to mental wellbeing for Pacific communities in Australia
At nib foundation, our vision is for all people to live longer in better health. That's why we're proud to announce a new partnership with the Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA), the national peak body representing culturally and linguistically diverse communities across Australia.
Funded through our Partners for Health Equity program, FECCA will deliver a community-led project designed to strengthen mental wellbeing, increase confidence in seeking support, and improve awareness of available services and referral pathways for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme workers.
The PALM scheme enables workers from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to access jobs across Australia, helping address workforce shortages while creating opportunities to develop skills, earn income and support families and communities back home. Across the country, more than 32,000 people participate in the scheme, making an important contribution to regional communities and industries.
For many culturally diverse communities, language barriers, unfamiliar health systems and cultural stigma can make it harder to seek help and connect with support when it's needed. These challenges can be amplified for some PALM workers, who are often living and working away from family, community and established support networks while navigating life in a new country.
Through nib's longstanding work with PALM scheme workers, we've gained a deeper understanding of both the important contribution these communities make and some of the challenges that can affect their wellbeing. nib foundation’s partnership with FECCA builds on that understanding by supporting prevention and early engagement through trusted, culturally safe conversations that help reduce stigma, strengthen social connection and increase confidence in seeking support.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving access to health information, support and care for culturally diverse communities.
How we’re supporting Federation of Ethnic Communities' Councils of Australia (FECCA)
With nib foundation support, FECCA will deliver Wellbeing Conversation Circles: Strengthening Mental Wellbeing - a project focused on training Wellbeing Champions from trusted local communities to lead culturally safe conversations about mental wellbeing and connect Pacific Australia Mobility Scheme workers with available services and referral pathways.
Through these conversations, Wellbeing Champions will build local knowledge and capability, helping reduce stigma, strengthen social connection and increase confidence in seeking support before issues escalate. By focusing on prevention and early engagement, the initiative will strengthen understanding of mental wellbeing and build lasting community capability.
FECCA is working closely with local communities in Queensland and Tasmania to ensure the project is co-designed and grounded in the voices, experiences and needs of Pacific communities.
Through nib foundation's Partners for Health Equity program, we invest in initiatives that help reduce barriers to care and improve health outcomes for communities experiencing greater health inequities. We look forward to working alongside FECCA to strengthen mental wellbeing and improve access to support for Pacific communities living in Australia.
For more information on nib’s PALM scheme program visit nib's website here.