workplace health promotion professionals in australia: empirical findings and their practical implications for career development

Background: improving worker health, safety, and well-being is a global issue, with continuous efforts in each country. key stakeholders in this process include workers, employers, occupational health and safety (ohs) professionals, and workplace health promotion (whp) professionals. overall, global trends support the integration of ohs and whp services, aiming for a holistically safe and healthy work environment. this study aims to outline the barriers to and opportunities for whp professionals in australian organisations.methods: this article represents findings from a focus group and interview study conducted in australia in 2025. the qualitative data were analysed in a thematic inductive approach.results: the findings carry crucial implications for career development in the australian health promotion workforce. specifically, the study indicates a pressing need for sustained advocacy of whp services and whp professionals across multiple organizational levels.conclusion: the effectiveness of whp initiatives is contingent upon employers’ perceptions of the importance of enhancing employee health and well-being. ohs professionals should assume a leadership role in supporting whp professionals, who must proactively enhance their internal and external knowledge while developing contemporary and effective whp strategies, supported by the entire workplace system.