Not just a plaque: what MATES accreditation means for these Wagga workers (2025)

ICG Construction Group in Wagga wanted to do more than just tick a box when it came to arming their workers with the best access to mental health support.

Now, the business has been awarded prestigious MATES Accredited Site status.

The accreditation recognises commitment to creating a safe, supportive, and mentally healthy workplace for all workers.

MATES in Construction NSW chief executive Brad Parker said the accreditations weren't just handed out like lollies.

"We set a very high bar," Mr Parker said.

"What's astounding about this one is it's in regional NSW, which is even more difficult."

Achieving accreditation is the gold standard under the MATES in Construction program.

It demonstrates that a site has successfully embedded the program's lifesaving initiatives and reached key targets in suicide prevention, mental health support, and workplace wellbeing.

Mr Parker said that to gain accreditation, the business has to provide both training and support.

"One without the other would be insufficient; in fact, training without support can be dangerous," he said.

"With the major program, it's about encompassing everyone; it's a collective responsibility around mental health, well-being, and suicide prevention.

"We train the entire workforce, which includes your admin to a labourer."

General awareness training is the first level, it gives people the opportunity to pick up signs that someone might not be doing so well.

"We call the indications, which can be cryptic and hidden," Mr Parker said.

"With training people will know what signs to look for and how to approach them."

The connector training comes next and is a deeper conversation about how to keep someone safe while accessing support.

The third top stream of training is the assist.

Mr Parker said the assist applied suicide intervention skills training was about putting together a safe plan to help someone who may be suicidal.

"It's about learning how to connect them onto the primary health supports, or the case management system," he said.

"It's making sure you follow it through from the first indications to actually applying the help.

"Joel and his team at ICG are fair dinkum, they are real, genuine and authentic."

ICG Construction Group director Joel Board said he got involved with MATES after seeing their logo on hats at construction sites.

"It took about six months to get in touch and work it out," Mr Board said.

"Once we had that sorted, our organisational development manager arranged for the awareness training at our new Wagga facility.

"We closed all of our sites so 60 staff could participate. MATES trainers came down from Sydney to train us."

Mr Board said 20 staff remained into the afternoon to continue on to the connector training.

"We genuinely care about our staff," he said.

"We've had EAP for a long time, it's still in the background but I believe MATES provides a better conversation and allows more people access.

"The MATES sticker on the hard hats promotes conversation."

The accreditation allows ICG Construction to proudly display the 'MATES Accredited' logo across its communications and signage at the Wagga site, visibly showing that the company takes responsibility for workers' mental health and safety seriously.

The milestone comes at a critical time, with research showing that construction workers are nine times more likely to die by suicide than by workplace accidents.

A recent study from the University of Melbourne indicated that high suicide rates in the sector are driven by insecure employment, long hours, and workplace culture.

Mr Parker said the accreditation was much more than a plaque or a certificate.

"It's a public commitment to protecting lives," he said.

"Sites like ICG Wagga show that when workplaces take mental health seriously, everyone benefits.

"We congratulate Joel and the ICG team for setting the standard."

The MATES Helpline (1300 642 111) provides 24/7 suicide and mental health support services.