Category: NSW News

The 2024-25 NSW Budget will help open Western Sydney to the world, with more than $1 billion for roads connecting people and communities with the new International Airport and Bradfield City Centre.

Connecting Western Sydney International Airport, which is due to open in 2026, to communities is a key priority of the Minns Labor Government, and this commitment builds on recently announced funding for the same roads by the Australian Government.

Elizabeth Drive, which will take travellers directly to the new airport and connect major arteries of Mamre and Northen Roads, will see the state contribute $400 million for a long-awaited upgrade into a four-lane divided road.

This takes the total funding for Elizabeth Drive to $800 million in partnership with the Federal Government.

An additional $500 million will allow the next stage of construction to begin on Mamre Road between Erskine Park and Kemps Creek.

Mamre Road, a key freight route and zone for commercial development, will be widened with extra lanes to meet future growth, providing upgraded and new intersections and a new shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.

This Budget investment takes total Federal-State funding of Mamre Road to $1 billion.

The 2024-25 NSW Budget provides $115 million for Mulgoa Road to see a separated four-lane dual carriageway between Glenmore Park and Jeanette Street.

And $10.5 million for Appin Road will provide an upgraded intersection at St Johns Road, building a stronger connection from Wollongong and the South Coast to Campbelltown and the Western Sydney Airport precinct.

This budget continues work on the M12, a critical link which is under construction.

And we’re getting on with planning for the Eastern Ring Road and Badgerys Creek South Road – key future projects for the airport.

The two roads will connect to create the long-term north-south corridor east of the airport. The Eastern Ring Road will perform a major freight function and ultimately create a further connection for bus services into the airport.

Planning and construction will be staged and sequenced to ensure the road network meets growth and travel demand.

Western Sydney is the fastest-growing region in the country, with a population expected to grow from two million to three million people over the next two decades.

The 2024-25 NSW Budget guarantees these critical roads advance by matching federal funding.

This is part of the Minns Labor Government’s plan to build better communities for NSW. To ensure we’re building infrastructure which produces stronger, well-connected communities.

A plan to build a better NSW.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney Prue Car said:

“The NSW Labor Government is committed to building better roads in Western Sydney, supporting the city’s new international gateway.

“The Liberals talked a big game about Western Sydney, but when it came to providing for our community, they simply did not deliver, and road projects stalled.

“By investing with the Australian Government, these roadways will service the new Western Sydney International Airport and the surrounding community.”

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“This is an investment in jobs in Western Sydney.

“Today we make it clear through dollars and determination that the necessary road infrastructure will match the once in a generation, city-shaping, opportunity that is the Western Sydney International Airport.

“Along with our partners in the Australian Government, we have identified where we need to invest, what we need to plan and we will deliver in a staged and methodical way that is appropriate for a fast-growing region attracting people, commercial development and a large freight network.”

NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“While NSW faces strong economic headwinds and a legacy of record debt notched up by the Coalition, our commitment to development in western Sydney – Australia’s fastest-growing region – is ironclad.

“Our investment in roads in this region, in lockstep with the Federal Government, will provide industry the assurance to co-invest and get development moving. We are transforming and building the roads and the jobs will follow.”

NSW continues to lead the nation as the only state or territory to regularly report on First Nations expenditure, with the release of the 2023 to 2024 NSW Indigenous Expenditure Report (IER) today.

The report comes as the NSW Government makes progress on developing a First Nations budget model, designed to provide a holistic, First Nations-led approach to the process, assessment, evidence and reporting for funding and investment decisions impacting First Nations communities.

The Indigenous Expenditure Report fulfills the NSW Government’s commitments under the National Agreement on Closing the Gap to review and classify government expenditure on First Nations people.

It recognises that providing First Nations communities with access to expenditure data is a critical step in building genuine partnership between government and First Nations communities and supporting First Nations self-determination.

The report identifies opportunities to improve outcomes for First Nations people through more effective investment and reviewing the current profile of government expenditure for First Nations people and programs.

NSW is home to 34.5% of Australian First Nations people, more than any other state or territory. At around 340,000 people, this is approximately 4.2% of the NSW population.

In 2023 to 2024, the NSW Government budgeted $1.2 billion for First Nations specific programs and services, making up around 1% of total NSW Government expenditure.

The service areas that are budgeted to receive the largest share of First Nations specific expenditure in 2023 to 2024 include:

• $301.8 million for housing and community amenities
• $237.8 million for education
• $226.3 million for social protection.

The report also quantifies the First Nations share of general (or non-targeted) expenditure. It is estimated in 2021 to 2022 (the latest data available) that the NSW Government spent $5.8 billion on First Nations people across the 18 non-targeted service areas analysed. This represents around 4.9% of total NSW Government expenditure.

The IER transparently shares data and information on government spending to help build genuine partnerships between government and First Nations communities to support better decision making on funding allocations, to improve outcomes for First Nations people and communities.

Findings from the 2023 to 2024 NSW IER will be used by First Nations communities and organisations in partnership with government to consider and design appropriate policy responses and priorities through future budget processes. This will contribute towards NSW progressing action towards Closing the Gap Priority Reform areas and socio-economic outcomes.

With the First Nations budget model design underway, Treasury, Aboriginal Affairs NSW and the NSW Coalition of Peak Organisations are now working in partnership to develop its next steps.

As a starting point, First Nations Impact Assessments were piloted as part of the 2024 t0 2025 budget process. Findings from the pilot will be used to inform the final design of the model.

Get more information on the 2023 to 24 NSW Indigenous Expenditure Report.

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said:

“We committed to providing regular information about where the NSW government is spending money to help ‘close the gap’ when we signed up to the Closing the Gap targets.

“We fulfil that commitment by publishing this report. First Nations citizens – and all citizens – should have more of the information they need to make better decisions.

“We are the only state or territory to provide a report like this. We hope it helps the rest of the federation partner with First Nation communities to build similar reporting frameworks.”

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris said:

“While the journey to closing the gap still has a significant way to go, I am deeply committed to transforming the way that we work to support self-determined outcomes for First Nations communities to drive better outcomes.”

Transforming the retail strip in St Marys, an Inner West “ale trail” of craft breweries, street-level improvements for Little India in Harris Park and a night-time makeover for the 24-hour medical precinct in Randwick are among 10 business and community-led projects set to improve vibrancy in local districts.

The successful recipients will receive up to $400,000 each including 2 in Western Sydney, 1 in Randwick and 3 in regional centres including Yamba, Muswellbrook and Murwillumbah.

In Western Sydney, businesses on Queen Street, St Marys, are working with Penrith City Council to transform the area into an urban hub, with new lighting in laneways, public art installations and new infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists.

The amenity will be further improved with street events and other pop-ups to breathe new life into the city centre.

In Chinatown, local businesses will relaunch “Neon Playground”, a street festival of lights, music, art and food.

Randwick’s health precinct is set for a transformation to cater for the area’s unique 24-hour workforce, turning underutilised health land into vibrant and connected public spaces, including night markets and community events around High Street and Avoca Street in the area of the light rail terminus.

Administered by Transport for NSW, the Community Improvement District Pilot Program grants are part of the NSW Government’s vibrancy agenda that is backing businesses to make the most of their public spaces and local character to draw more visitors and more life to their district – day or night.

The 10 district pilots awarded up to $400,000 are:

• Clarence Valley Council for Clarence Valley CID Pilot Program
• Haymarket Alliance Incorporated for Neon Playground 2.0
• Inner West Brewery Association Incorporated for Inner West Ale Trail
• Little India Harris Park Business Association for ‘Udaan’ – A Little India Harris Park Business Association Lift-Off
• Murwillumbah District Business Chamber Limited for Connect Murwillumbah: A CID Transformation
• Muswellbrook Shire Council for Activating the Hunter Innovation Precinct
• Penrith City Council for St Marys – Transforming into a Thriving Urban Hub
• Randwick Health & Innovation Precinct for Heart of Randwick Collaboration
• Walsh Bay Precinct Association Incorporated for Hickson Road bridges activation and Walsh Bay CID trial
• YCK Laneways Association Incorporated for Safer YCK Laneways.

Insights from the funded pilots will inform a state-wide Community Improvement District policy, helping to ensure our communities have inviting, vibrant and welcoming places in the long-term.

Improvement district grants are running in parallel with the NSW Government’s Open Streets program. This program empowers councils to host markets, live music and outdoor dining on local streets to boost community life and economic activity.

Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Londonderry Prue Car said:

“It is exciting to see our local neighbourhood in St Marys set for a transformation, particularly as work progresses on the rail connection to Western Sydney Airport.

“Our local area already has so much on offer, and I look forward to enjoying the new lighting, installations and fun events with my community.”

Minister for Roads John Graham said:

“Nothing beats local knowledge. That is why we are backing local knowledge from local businesses and local councils – they know their area, know their community and know what is needed to improve their public spaces and build upon their unique, local identity.

“The Community Improvement District model recognises businesses benefit from, and have a stake in, making their local areas as vibrant and welcoming as possible and better places to live, work and play. This is supporting communities to use their streets and public spaces – they own them.

“COVID showed us that entertainment starts close to home. St Marys is a great example of a local neighbourhood wanting to make itself a destination and give people more reason to stay local, day or night.”

Construction of Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 will begin under the Minns Labor Government, with a $2 billion investment to build better, connected communities in Sydney’s growing west.

The 2024-25 Budget paves the way for the NSW Labor Government to meet its election commitment; to start construction on this essential project in this term of government.

The investment follows recent NSW Planning Approval for the project, as well as Federal Environmental Approval.

The game-changing transport project will unlock development potential and deliver frequent and reliable public transport options for residents that moved into fast-growing suburbs like Wentworth Point.

The 12km alignment will link the Parramatta CBD to Sydney Olympic Park via Camellia, Rydalmere, Ermington, Melrose Park and Wentworth Point with 14 new stops, three new river crossings and 8.5km of new walking and cycling paths.

Passengers will be able to travel from Sydney Olympic Park to Camellia in around 30 minutes, and on to the Parramatta CBD in another 7 minutes.

Construction will be phased, with initial work to begin later this year on a new 320-metre public and active transport bridge over Parramatta River, between Melrose Park and Wentworth Point.

Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail project is currently in testing and is on track to service tens of thousands of commuters in the coming months.

Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 was promised by the previous government, but never received the funding required to begin construction on this essential transport link.

The people of NSW need a coordinated and sustainable roadmap. A plan that understands how people want to live, and works to provide better services like healthcare, policing, education and good public transport.

The Minns Labor Government’s plan has infrastructure built alongside housing to build better, stronger, well-serviced communities in NSW.

Find out more about the Parramatta Light Rail project

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“We’re getting on with the job and building this essential project that people who live in the fast growing suburbs of Western Sydney were promised.

“People moved into the area with the promise of infrastructure that never arrived. The NSW Labor Government is now delivering.

“Stage 2 will directly link Parramatta to the Sydney Olympic Park precinct residents in Parramatta to the Sydney Olympic Park precinct.

“The light rail’s forecast to carry 28,000 passengers every day by 2026.  That’s a game-changer for communities around Parramatta – connecting venues, schools, shops and people for decades to come.”

Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:

“With testing powering ahead, Parramatta Light Rail Stage 1 is on track to open in the coming months.”

“But we know there are more communities that need access to this vital infrastructure investment.

“This investment will get shovels in the ground and construction started before the end of this parliamentary term. Just as we promised.

“In 2041, 280,000 people are expected to live along the Parramatta Light Rail Stage 2 alignment.

They need frequent and reliable public transport services, and we’ll deliver it.”

Member for Parramatta, Donna Davis said:

“Our community has been promised this vital transport link for years, and now Labor is delivering.

“As Lord Mayor, and now Member for Parramatta, I’ve advocated tirelessly for many years about this project and I’m so pleased the Premier and Minister have listened.”

The NSW Opposition is calling on the Minns Labor Government to deliver a payroll tax amnesty for NSW GPs in this year’s Budget to ensure access to affordable healthcare. 

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman called on Premier Chris Minns to urgently provide GPs with a payroll tax amnesty, so that clinics across NSW are not forced to close or raise their fees. 

“From 4 September, many clinics will be facing a retrospective tax bill of hundreds of thousands of dollars that could force closures or fee increases. This will mean more patients presenting to our state’s overwhelmed emergency departments, which are buckling under the pressure of Labor’s cuts to health funding,” Mr Speakman said. 

“The Minns Government should urgently guarantee a payroll tax amnesty from July 2018 to June 2025, to be followed by ongoing suitable exemptions – such as for bulk billing practices.” 

“But instead this Labor Government is again missing in action – at the same time as they’re cutting the health budget, they’re adding to the hospital waiting lists,” Mr Speakman said. 

“The NSW health system has been seriously impacted by Labor’s cuts to health funding – Bureau of Health Information figures showed that our hospital system is under immense strain as a result of Labor’s budget mismanagement. With people already waiting longer and longer in Emergency Departments, if Labor adds thousands more to that queue they’ll be putting everyone’s health at risk.” 

Shadow Finance Minister Eleni Petinos said that other states have managed to provide exemptions or amnesties, while the Minns Labor Government has been dithering for many months. 

“As some NSW clinics will face demands of retrospective payroll tax bills for more than half a million dollars, the Minns Government needs to commit to an amnesty while a permanent solution is found,” Ms Petinos said. 

“If Labor Governments in Queensland and Victoria can deal with this problem, people can rightly ask why Chris Minns can’t do the same for NSW.” 

Primary care patients and general practice in NSW will be worse off than the rest of Australia if a proposed payroll tax on GPs in enforced, the Primary Care Business Council (PCBC) has warned.
PCBC spokesperson Dr Hamish Meldrum called on the NSW Government to provide a retrospective amnesty to payroll tax to ensure GPs aren’t forced to pay years in back taxes which would bankrupt some operators.
“GP practices are paying payroll tax like any other business, and they pay this on administration staff, nurses and training doctors. However, the possible extension of payroll tax to distributions to contract GP’s will be significant and this tax will need to be passed onto patients,” Dr Meldrum said.
“The NSW Government needs to act now to ensure general practices are not unfairly burdened by a payroll tax which could threaten their very existence and result in more pressure on the public health system.”
If the GP payroll tax if applied to all distributions to contact doctors, it could result in fee increases of between $10 – $20 per appointment. “The Federal Government has supported primary care with an increased bulk billing incentive to assist GPs to bulk bill vulnerable patients. But payroll tax has the potential to reverse any gains,” Dr Meldrum said.
“It would also have the added cost of pushing more patients towards hospital emergency departments which are already over stretched.”
PCBC modelling indicates that NSW could see more than 1,000,000 more patients present to NSW emergency departments instead of visiting a GP because of increased fees. This would result in an additional annual cost of more than $680 million, which would far outweigh the revenue from payroll tax of around $130 million.
“General Practice has been poorly funded for some decades, and it makes no sense to impose a fiscally destructive tax on a primary care system that is already under strain. Doctors won’t be able to cope and ultimately it will be patients who suffer the most,” Dr Meldrum said.
“If you get sick once a year and see your GP you pay the tax once and if you are sick ten times a year and have ten GP visits then you pay the tax ten times. This is a very regressive tax.
“It is disappointing that the NSW Government has not engaged with GP operators particularly when practice viability is at risk – in the last 12 months 184 practices in 17 Public
Health Network sites closed their doors – many more will close if this tax is imposed. “I urge the NSW Government to step back from the edge and engage with the sector to ensure we have a viable General Practice sector going forward.”

A new road bridge at the centre of the Great Western Highway upgrade at Little Hartley is now open to traffic.

The 70-metre-long bridge has been built by a large cohort of local people using locally sourced materials, including concrete from Lithgow and quarry materials from Oberon.

The bridge will carry motorists up and across a new section of the highway to the local road network extending west to Jenolan Caves.

Completion of the grade-separated interchange at Coxs River Road is a milestone for the $232 million jointly funded project to improve safety and efficiency.

The new two-span bridge is 15 metres wide with a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists so active commuters can also safely cross the highway.

In total, 530 jobs will be supported by this upgrade, with work now turning to completion of the 2.4-kilometre new section of dual-lane, separated Great Western Highway.

More than 30 per cent of the entire workforce on this upgrade since work started in March 2023 are local residents from Lithgow, Bathurst and Blue Mountains LGAs, and over 30 local businesses have been engaged.

As well as the concrete and gravel, 300 tonnes of steel was used to build the road bridge, which rests on 14 precast Super T girders, which are each 34 metres long and weigh 60 tonnes.

Once asphalting and sealing of the new road is complete, the site will be landscaped.

The Coxs River Road Upgrade is on track to be completed in 2025.

For further information visit Coxs River Road Upgrade on the Transport for NSW website.

Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said:

“Not only is this a remarkable piece of transport infrastructure, improving safety and efficiency at this intersection, but it is a triumph of local materials and labour.

“Having the newly constructed bridge open to traffic means motorists can start to experience the benefits of our major upgrade through this section of the Great Western Highway, with more positives to come once the whole project is complete.

“Our commitment to this project is demonstrated by the recent Federal Budget commitment of $116 million, as part of providing over $3.1 billion to NSW over the next 10 years for new and existing projects.”

Federal Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister Kristy McBain said:

“It was fantastic to visit the Coxs River Road Upgrade recently – which will make it easier for locals and tourists to get around, and keep our freight vehicles moving efficiently.

“That’s exactly what’s happening with this new bridge now open. It will improve road safety and unlock new economic opportunities in the Central West of NSW – a fast-growing part of the state.”

NSW Regional Transport and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said:

“Completion of the Coxs River Road bridge is just the start of improvements to the Great Western Highway at Little Hartley.

“The new bridge is vital for ensuring the preservation of local heritage buildings whilst improving safety and reducing congestion for local, tourist and freight traffic through the valley.

“The new pedestrian access will encourage more active transport and improve safety for the local community.”

Stephen Lawrence MLC said:

“It’s wonderful to see that this project has supported our regional economy, particularly here on the western side of the Blue Mountains through employment and the use of local business.

“Supporting local people, products and services is key to leaving a positive legacy beyond the impressive new infrastructure, once crews have finished the job and packed up and left.”

The NSW Government has announced a $13 million forestry funding package to provide much needed protection of critical timber supplies in the Murray region in the lead up to the next bushfire season.

This package will build a better resilience into this important regional industry. The measures will deliver fire prevention, detection and response works that have been developed following consultation with forestry industry groups and government agencies.

The NSW Government has a plan for developing regional NSW and a plan for delivering more housing. Protecting softwood forests and production is critical to delivering on both of those plans.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty made the funding announcement in the Murraguldrie State Forest, 60km from Wagga Wagga, with Independent Member for Wagga Wagga, Dr Joe McGirr and representatives of the NSW timber industry.

Feedback from industry highlighted three key focus areas to ensure the forestry sector is better prepared for the next bushfire season and the package delivers on these as follows:

• Prevent bushfires occurring or spreading by constructing new and maintaining established strategic fire trails and asset protection zones.
• Build rapid response capability and suppress fires and prevent their spread such as towers, remote sensing and camera technology to detect fires early.
• Improve tactical and operational response with additional fire tankers, equipment and infrastructure.

Today’s funding announcement puts the region in a much better position to focus on these preparedness measures.

During the 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires, it is estimated up to 65,000 hectares of softwood plantation were affected across NSW representing around a quarter of the softwood resource state-wide.

Softwood plantation forestry in southern NSW injects some $3 billion in economic value annually and provides more than 11,000 jobs.

Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

“The clearest message we have received from forestry industry representatives in the region is that all effort needs to be put into protecting the forests from bushfires. This package demonstrates how the Government is responding – get the job done and protect our forests and communities.

“The NSW Government has made it clear we are focused on expanding plantation assets, and we are boosting protection of the existing and future plantation resources.

“I want to thank the Forest Industries Advisory Council, the Softwoods Working Group, the Australian Forest Products Association, Forestry Corporation and other NSW agencies and industry representatives for their input and efforts in this important area.”

Member for Wagga Wagga Dr Joe McGirr said:

“Sadly, the horrific memories of the Black Summer fires are still fresh in local memories and now is the time to do all we can to reduce the risk of a repeat.

“Our softwoods industries are crucial to the future of the entire region, and especially to the Snowy Valleys, so I applaud government and industry measures to prevent bushfires in the first place, and to improve response capabilities when fires do start.

“Thousands of jobs and many millions of dollars in economic activity depend on secure, stable softwoods supplies and I congratulate industry groups and the government for this important investment in protecting the industry’s future.”

Chairman of the Softwood Working Group Peter Crowe said:

“The Softwoods Working Group (SWG) commends the minister for well targeted funding for essential projects which will significantly enhance fire protection for the valuable plantation in the NSW Murray.

“The SWG and its members look forward aiding the Minister and the department on the most valuables infrastructure investments for communities, industry and the region broadly.”

Detailed analysis reveals the extent of the rebalancing of new homes across Greater Sydney as a result of the housing targets released by the Minns Labor Government earlier this week.

The rebalancing follows more than a decade of unfair distribution of new homes that saw Western Sydney being forced to accept the overwhelming proportion of new homes, many delivered without the necessary supporting infrastructure.

Homes that are already in the system, those already planned, approved and under construction, cannot be changed without tearing up existing development applications and building contracts.

With a housing crisis, now is not the time to stop building.

The NSW Government has significantly rebalanced the targets with the distribution of new homes.

The number of new homes has been developed from our planning reforms, the Transport Oriented Development and Low and Midrise Housing programs and are included in the targets.

Of the new homes in the targets, 53% are in Eastern Sydney LGAs including Ku-Ring-Gai and Northern Beaches. This compares to 34% of homes already in the pipeline to be delivered.

Comparatively, Western Sydney LGAs such as Penrith and Hawkesbury Council will have a target of 18% for new homes, as compared to 25% of homes already in the system.

Similarly, Central Sydney LGAs including Parramatta and Canterbury-Bankstown that make up 41% of homes already in the pipeline, account for 29% of the new home targets set by the NSW Government.

This rebalancing of new homes is part of the Government’s plan to deliver homes close to existing infrastructure and jobs, building even better communities in NSW.

Minister for Planning and Public Space Paul Scully said:

“Our new housing targets rebalance the location of new homes across Sydney.

“Of the projected homes between now and 2029, more than half are in Eastern Sydney LGAs while less than a fifth are in Western Sydney LGAs.

“Homes that are already planned in the western suburbs will continue to be built while other parts of Sydney will be doing their part to confront the housing crisis.

“For too long we’ve been building infrastructure in Sydney’s east and putting housing in the Sydney’s west.

“It’s not fair and it’s not working for communities or for taxpayers.

“Rebalancing housing is part of our plan to build better homes and better communities for NSW with homes better connected to transport and jobs.”

	Housing targets	Homes in the system	Additional homes to meet targets
Eastern Sydney LGAs	107,100	41%	58,290	34%	48,810	53%
Central Sydney LGAs	97,200	37%	70,670	41%	26,530	29%
Western Sydney LGAs	59,100	22%	42,410	25%	16,690	18%
Total	263,400	171,370	92,030

Young people in custody are being given the opportunity to learn skills to help them transition back to the community and into jobs on the land, thanks to a partnership between Youth Justice NSW and the Department of Education.

Focusing on skills for the bush, training programs in sheep shearing and fence construction are being run in Youth Justice Centres and are proving popular with young people there.

A shearing program was rolled out at Riverina Youth Justice Centre in Wagga Wagga this week, providing hands-on training for young people who might be interested in the profession post release.

Funded by the NSW Department of Education and delivered by the TAFE NSW Primary Industries Centre, the program includes a range of skills including preparing a handpiece for shearing, penning sheep, undertaking basic shearing and crutching, and carrying out wool pressing.

Meanwhile, fencing accredited training was run at Cobham Youth Justice Centre by Emergency Australia over 3 days this week, teaching young people how to install, maintain and repair farm fencing.

Young people have access to a range of skills and accreditation opportunities in Youth Justice Centres, with trades ranging from bricklaying, mechanics and panelling to hairdressing and barista training.

Minister for Youth Justice Jihad Dib said:

“Everyone deserves another chance and one of the many ways we support young people while they are in a Youth Justice Centre is to give them real life skills that are useful in their future, not only in jobs but in everyday life.

“We are providing training in areas where there is high demand in regional New South Wales such as shearing and fence construction, making sure our young people have the best chance of finding a job.

“Whether it’s hospitality, barista, barber training and mechanics or horticulture and traffic control, the trade qualifications being rolled out across the 6 Youth Justice Centres in NSW are varied and provide a range of opportunities for young people to learn important skills.”

Minister for Skills and Training Steve Whan said:

“Regardless of what their history is, every young person deserves to be set up for success and given equitable opportunities to pursue a career.

“This is a fantastic program and another example of how the Department of Education and TAFE NSW provides students with the in-demand skills to get a job and make an immediate impact in the workplace.

“Empowering these young people with the skills and confidence to find meaningful work will help them make a positive contribution to the community and the agriculture industry.”