What is The Queensland Trauma Strategy

The Queensland Trauma Strategy is the Queensland Government's 5 year commitment to preventing trauma, supporting healing and strengthening trauma-informed responses across the state.

It aims to create a trauma-aware Queensland where every individual, family and community can lead healthy and fulfilling lives.

Queensland's approach to preventing and responding to trauma

Read The Queensland Trauma Strategy 2024–2029 to learn more about Queensland's approach to preventing trauma, supporting healing and driving system reform.

We consulted with more than 800 stakeholders across Queensland to develop the strategy. Learn more in our Developing The Queensland Trauma Strategy: consultation report.

Why preventing and responding to trauma matters

Trauma can affect anyone. Its impacts can be felt by individuals, families and communities. Trauma can affect physical and mental health, relationships, education, employment and wellbeing.

  • 75%

    of Australian adults have experienced trauma

  • More than 1.5 million

    Australians live with PTSD

  • Up to 70%

    of older adults have experienced trauma

  • 100+ disasters since 2011

    Queensland is Australia’s most disaster-prone state

  • 80%

    of Australians with problematic alcohol and other drug use have experienced trauma

  • 1.8+ million cases

    of depressive, anxiety, and alcohol and other drug disorders could be avoided through preventing childhood maltreatment

Focus areas

The strategy focuses on 4 priority areas for action.

  • 1. Prioritise prevention

    Prioritise the foundations for prevention.

  • 2. Early support

    Enhance early and compassionate support.

  • 3. Foster healing

    Reduce the impact of trauma and foster healing.

  • 4. Enable reform

    Strengthen the systemic enablers for reform.

A trauma-informed Queensland

Creating a trauma-informed Queensland is everyone's business

The strategy promotes a shift in thinking: from ‘What’s wrong with you?’ to ‘What do you need to feel safe?’

Everyone has a role to play, from individuals and communities to organisations and services. Because people's needs change over time, support should be flexible and responsive.

Queensland's approach has 4 levels of trauma-informed practice

  1. Trauma aware: Understanding trauma and creating safe, inclusive environments
  2. Trauma skilled: Recognising and responding to trauma appropriately
  3. Trauma enhanced: Providing targeted support through practitioners and services with additional expertise
  4. Trauma specialised: Delivering specialist treatment and interventions for complex trauma.

Together, these approaches help prevent trauma, support healing and build safer communities.

Relationship to Shifting minds

The Queensland Trauma Strategy supports the Queensland Government’s 5 year strategic plan, Shifting minds.

Progress updates

Read our progress updates on The Queensland Trauma Strategy.

Last updated:   September 2026

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