KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Trusted by Australia's Leading Organisations
For more than twenty years, Paul Spinks has worked as a rural and remote paramedic and trauma counsellor.
He’s been inside thousands of homes, mine sites, schools, and communities at the exact moment life collapsed.
Those moments taught him one thing: crisis isn’t random: it’s predictable.
Alongside his active frontline work, as The Outback Ambo™, Paul gives audiences the chance to learn those lessons without the sirens.
His sessions are raw, grounded, and unforgettable.
They don’t end with applause, they end with action.
He’s not another wellness speaker.
He’s the man who shows you what happens when wellness fails.
KEYNOTE PRESENTATIONS
TESTIMONIALS
Have you ever felt like you are on a treadmill in this modern world; trapped in an endless rat race. More digitally connected than ever before, but struggling to be truly present with those closest to you? Are we micro-managing ourselves sick, or are we micro-managing ourselves well?
My ODG team were fortunate to be truly challenged by Paul Spinks on this issue at our recent forum. Paul is an Advanced care paramedic and trauma counsellor who works part-time with the Queensland Ambulance Service and part-time a professional speaker. Paul is one of the most inspiring people I have listened to in a long time, and I guarantee he will get your attention and truly challenge you to consider your mental health.
– Director-General, Queensland Health
Your seminar should be given globally mate, I guarantee it would save so many peoples lives.
Mining Industry Participant
I am aware that a number of the participants went home and spoke to their partners and/or children about your session, which is really rewarding in that the message is continually being shared – now we just need to keep remembering it and making lasting change.
Regional Director, South West Gold Coast & Agriculture Strategy Portfolio — Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
There were a few tears on the trip home as we discussed some family issues that was close to us that you touched on!
Paula
Workplace Health and Safety Queensland
Your presentations are truly inspirational. I love what you stand for and what you are trying to achieve in the Torres Straits. I asked [My Boss] when are we going to start rolling out this initiative across all our services.
IBIS
Your presentation was one of the best we’ve had and was very impactful. You said so many things that resonated with me as well, which has helped push the re-set button on a few matters I’ve been dealing with.
Groundwork Plus
He is an impressive presenter. I could see the majority of the audience and they were riveted. A number of people came up to me to say they were going home to download his key messages with their kids.
Head of Conferences and Events — Deutsche Bank
Thank-you for sharing what you have journeyed and using that to impact the destinies of individuals and families. You may never realise all the impact you have had, but I think if you could, you would be amazed.
Pam
I sincerely appreciate the courage it must have taken for you to include your own family in the presentation, thank you so much for sharing this personal experience. You have refreshed my hope that there are people out there who might care.
Tweed Shire Council
I seriously appreciate that talk you gave as I can now see the brighter side and how to combat my demons.
Northern Territory Government
I have sat in many of these presentations but this one in particular hit home with me. One of the many things you presented that I definitely want to implement in my own home is the license to speak with my children.
Information & Communication Technology — Stanwell
Of all the seminars and training I have attended in my ten years with Stanwell, this is top of the pile for content and satisfaction. It’s not often I say that a two-hour commitment was worth it, but in this case it was and I would have willingly stayed longer.
Category Specialist, Finance, Governance and Commercial Services — Stanwell
Since I was a teenager I’ve struggled with mental health, been put on various medications and talked to counsellors and phycologists most my life – it was great to receive a better understanding from you. I could see myself in all of your topics and the way you related your topics to stories.
BHP attendee
Safety Manager, Health & Safety Port & Rail — BHP Billiton
THANKY OU for your absolutely invigorating presentation tonight for BHP Billiton families of which I attended. I thoroughly enjoyed it and feel inspired on so many fronts.
BHP attendee
BHP Billiton
I was in the audience this morning and thanks so much for such a powerful message – it nearly had me in tears. I have four kids (been married for 22 years) and it made me think quite differently about how I relate to them all – especially one of my daughters who is going through her teenage years!
General Manager Northern Region — BMD Constructions
I can’t recall the last time I was so engaged and sympathetic to someone else’s concerns and opinions on such fundamental values. Your experiences had the whole room focussed and feeling the problems we face as a society, with even the more battle hardened and defiant commenting on the positive effects you had on them.
Teacher — TAFE Queensland
I can’t thank you enough for the outstanding talk yesterday which has undoubtedly had a profound impact on attendees. We are receiving constant feedback about how amazing the launch was and numerous requests for the recording (already!)
Department of Education and Training
There’s no doubt you were the perfect choice to assist us change the perception of our staff wellbeing program from the ‘nice to have/optional extra’ to something that’s fundamentally essential to our core business – which is delivery the best quality education outcomes to Queensland children and families.
Queensland Government
Paul is one of the most inspiring people I have listened to in a long time, and I guarantee he will get your attention and truly challenge you to consider your mental health.
Director-General — Queensland Health
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Paul Spinks different from other wellbeing or motivational keynote speakers in Australia?
Paul isn’t a motivational speaker, he’s Australia’s leading frontline crisis & prevention expert. With over 20 years as a rural and remote paramedic and trauma counsellor, Paul brings lived experience from thousands of emergency callouts across Australia.
Where most wellness speakers talk about thriving, Paul talks about the reality of what happens when people ignore the cracks. His presentations are grounded, raw and story-driven, blending crisis psychology, human behaviour, leadership responsibility, and real-life consequences.
Event planners consistently describe his sessions as:
“Gritty, unforgettable and genuinely life-changing.”Which industries and organisations benefit most from Paul’s keynotes and leadership workshops?
Paul works extensively across mining, resources, construction, manufacturing, education, government, community services, and corporate Australia.
His message resonates most in workplaces where:
- High pressure, long hours or fatigue are common
- Teams carry emotional or psychological load
- Leaders want better early-intervention skills
- Safety, culture and mental health directly impact performance
Whether it’s a frontline crew in the Pilbara or a corporate leadership team in Sydney or Brisbane, Paul gives people the frontline clarity to prevent crisis before it becomes a consequence.
Is Paul Spinks suitable for large conferences, high-risk industries and geographically remote Australian workplaces?
Absolutely.
Paul is one of the few speakers who is equally effective in:
- Large auditoriums (1,000+ attendees)
- Boardrooms and leadership retreats
- Mine sites, FIFO camps and industrial environments
- Regional and remote communities across Australia
His communication style, direct, compassionate, practical, connects with diverse audiences, from executives to frontline crews.
Because of his paramedic background, Paul understands fatigue, shift work, psychosocial hazards, and real-world pressure better than most speakers.
Can Paul customise his keynote or workshop for our organisation’s wellbeing, WHS or leadership goals?
Yes.
Before every event, Paul reviews:
- Organisational pressures
- Team culture
- Recent incidents or challenges
- Desired behavioural outcomes
- Leadership expectations
Sessions can include customised emphasis on:
- Psychosocial risk (WHS obligations in Australia)
- Team communication & early warning signs
- Mental health literacy
- Culture, accountability & trust
- Safety leadership
His content never loses the Outback Ambo edge, but it always aligns with your organisation’s objectives.
What outcomes can we expect for our leadership team after the Frontline Leadership: Change the Game™ session?
Leaders walk away with:
- A frontline-tested lens for spotting risk
- Confidence to initiate courageous, human-first conversations
- A deeper understanding of crisis patterns and how to interrupt them
- Tools to strengthen team trust and psychological safety
- Clear behavioural practices they can implement immediately
Organisations consistently report:
- Higher team engagement
- Reduced interpersonal conflict
- Fewer preventable incidents
- Stronger leadership confidence
- A shared language around wellbeing and responsibility
This session is often described as “the missing link between wellbeing programs and real leadership behaviour.”
Does Paul travel for events internationally and what locations does he service?
Yes, Paul regularly delivers keynotes and workshops across:
NSW, QLD, WA, SA, VIC, NT, TAS, and regional/remote communities nationwide and is available for international engagements.He frequently presents in:
- Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Darwin, Townsville, Mackay
- Pilbara, Bowen Basin, Hunter Valley, Goldfields, regional NSW & QLD
- Remote mining operations, FIFO sites, and rural schools
Whether it’s a metro corporate event or a remote WA mine site, Paul brings the same frontline honesty, impact and practical tools to every audience.
Within our staff many people were impacted by what you said. They then went home and spoke to people they know about what was shared and so as a result, there are whole ripple effects of change being actioned.
The wake-up call that changes everything.
Every organisation talks about wellbeing.
Few do something that actually keeps people alive, connected and accountable.
This is that something.
Bring The Outback Ambo™ to your next event.
Book Paul Spinks for a keynote, workshop or leadership briefing today.