From the cane fields to the coal fields and gold fields, Northern Region is as large as it is diverse. South from Sarina, North to Ingham and west to Mt Isa and the Northern Territory border and all the way through the Lower Gulf up to Mornington Island, we’re the very essence of coastal living meets the great Australian Outback.

In additional to our three District Offices and four permanent reporting centres, Northern Region has a wide network of outreach service delivery locations throughout the Whitsundays, Hinchinbrook shire and the agricultural and archaeological corridors of North-West Queensland.

On any given weekday, we have officers working in large district offices – undertaking activities such as collaboration with high-risk teams, overseeing electronic monitoring, and delivering rehabilitation intervention – while other officers are travelling by road, sea and air to small towns to ensure communities across the region are safe. This community engagement could see you yarning with Elders, participating in local forums, or representing QCS in one of the 16 courts we attend.

We foster a diverse, dynamic workforce to match and respond to the broad needs of the communities and supervised individuals across North Queensland. Northern Region staff are supported to be creative and innovative as they generate solutions to challenging social issues such as housing insecurity, the over-representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system, wellbeing challenges and the prevention of domestic and family violence. This often involves working closely with other local agencies, community organisations and the communities themselves.

In fact, key to our service delivery success is our commitment to the many partnerships and collaborations we share. We have strong links with local universities, non-government partners across the human services, safety, and health and wellbeing sectors, and with other government agencies, especially Queensland Police Services and Youth Justice.

Due to the diverse communities across our Region’s vast geographical footprint, our staff benefit from exposure to a range of multicultural experiences and opportunities for cultural competency development. Working closely with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals and communities, Northern Region can reaffirm our commitment to Closing the Gap, being part of the Path to Treaty and responding in ways to improve cultural safety.

We match the challenges of our work with expansive, extensive opportunities for self-care and self-development. We encourage our staff to pursue a wide range of recreational and social interests available across our region. You can explore the natural beauty of North Queensland by 4WD to discover the geological wonders of the Gulf Savannah where the ‘Outback meets the Sea’; chase waterfalls and hike through the wet-tropics of Hinchinbrook or the sub-tropical rainforests of Mackay; travel through a living history of the elegance and charm of Charters Towers gold mining heritage; get out on the water and island hop from Airlie Beach, the Burdekin, Magnetic and Orpheus Island; or explore the central section of the Great Barrier Reef, diving the SS Yongala shipwreck or the world-leading Museum of Underwater Art.

Beyond the natural wonders of this Region is an ever-growing list of events to fill your calendar: Mount Isa Rodeo; Boulia Camel Races; Julia Creek Dirt and Dust Festival; Charters Towers Country Music Festival; Palm Creek Festival; Mackay Festival of Arts; Australian Festival of Chamber Music; North Australian Festival of Arts; V8 Supercars; and any number of major international sporting events. And, of course, don’t forget we are the home of the North Queensland Cowboys!

Whether you seek the sea or the red dirt, the city or a rural lifestyle, there is sure to be a corner of this Region that makes you feel at home or pushes you to explore undiscovered talents and passions.