News

In 2013 NCETA was commissioned by the Intergovernmental Committee on Drugs to develop Australia’s first National Workforce Development Strategy (2015-2018) for the alcohol and other drug (AOD) field. In the years since its publication, there have been a number of important changes and emerging issues impacting the AOD sector. NCETA has now been commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health to renew and update the original Strategy.

The updated Strategy, due for completion in mid-2022, aims to build the capacity of the AOD workforce to respond effectively to contemporary AOD issues and be prepared for future emerging needs. The Strategy will be focused on specialist AOD workers as well as workers from the health, welfare, education, law enforcement and related sectors who respond to AOD issues as part of their work.

Stakeholder consultation is key to the development of the updated Strategy. NCETA is currently preparing a Discussion Paper to seek stakeholder input on priority issues to be addressed within the Strategy. Consultation will include online submissions and direct engagement with the NCETA research team. The submission portal is expected to open in late September/early October and will be promoted across NCETA’s digital channels.