Category: NSW News

A new range of activities to help NSW seniors reduce social isolation will soon launch after the NSW Government provided $840,000 in funding as part of the 2025 Connecting Seniors Grant Program.

From singing to storytelling, cooking classes to croquet lessons, the funded projects will empower older people to engage with their communities and combat loneliness in innovative ways.

Some old favourites from 2024 will also be making a comeback, including water safety classes, Foodies Clubs and Community Circles.

Activities will be delivered across NSW through 28 organisations divided into five categories including Aboriginal, Multicultural, Creation, Enhancement or Expansion, and Local Council.

The Aboriginal and multicultural categories are new this year and projects include activities such as Aboriginal dance workshops, technology mentorship, excursions, and a range of classes such as exercise and art.

In 2024, COTA NSW’s Voice of Solitude: Loneliness and Social Isolation Among Older Adults in NSW found 60 per cent of people aged over 50 were lonely with 25 per cent experiencing extreme levels of loneliness, and 50 percent feeling socially isolated.

The Connecting Seniors Grant Program builds on previous grant rounds, which have been proven to reduce social isolation for thousands of seniors in NSW. The program supports the Ageing Well in NSW: Seniors Strategy 2021-2031, demonstrating the NSW Government’s commitment to creating a more inclusive community and addressing isolation and loneliness.

The addition of Aboriginal and Multicultural categories in 2025 aligns with the NSW Government’s Closing the Gap commitments and the Multicultural NSW Strategic Plan 2021-2025.

Since its launch in 2020, the grant program has funded more than 120 projects with over 30,000 seniors taking part across 82 Local Government Areas across NSW.

For more information about the Connecting Seniors Grant Program and the full list of recipients, visit: https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/community-inclusion/seniors/ageing-well-in-nsw-seniors-strategy-2021-2031/events-and-projects/connecting-seniors-grant-program-2025.html

Minister for Seniors Jodie Harrison said:

“With 28 projects funded in 2025 across the state, there is something for everyone to get involved in.

“These projects can provide a social lifeline for seniors who often live alone. They help older people stay connected and age well.

“It’s important that we provide as many opportunities as we can for seniors to stay engaged with their communities and even try new experiences.

“Congratulations to the recipients – I’m looking forward to seeing our seniors make excellent use of the programs and activities on offer.”

Ian Westmorelandfrom Kintsugi Heroessaid:

“We are thrilled to receive this grant which will enable us to use the power of storytelling to inspire and provide hope to seniors who may be experiencing life challenges like elder abuse, loneliness and social isolation.

“Focusing on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, the seniors who share their stories will be invited to speak at community events around the Hornsby LGA area to encourage other seniors to engage and connect.”

The NSW Government’s successful Single Employer Model is continuing to boost the regional health workforce, with another 29 doctors joining the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway (RGSEP) this week.

RGSEP is an employment pathway for doctors seeking a career as a rural generalist who work across both primary care and hospital settings.

Rural generalists are General Practitioners (GPs) who have an extended skill in a specialty area such as anaesthetics, obstetrics, paediatrics, emergency medicine, mental health or palliative care.

RGSEP trainees are offered a length-of-training contract with a Local Health District (LHD) in regional NSW. This allows trainees to retain and use their NSW Health Award entitlements during GP training.

Rural generalist trainees also receive the same pay and conditions as their hospital trained counterparts.

The new recruits bring the total number of doctors participating in the Program to 44 across Far West, Illawarra Shoalhaven, Hunter New England, Mid North Coast, Murrumbidgee, Northern NSW, Southern NSW and Western NSW LHDs.

RGSEP trainee Dr Marty Ryan has worked across health facilities in Temora, Cootamundra Gundagai and Wagga Wagga and is encouraging other doctors to consider becoming a rural generalist.

Regional Health Minister Ryan Park:

“I’m excited to welcome 29 new trainees to the Rural Generalist Single Employer Pathway, all with a commitment and passion for regional healthcare and communities.

“The program supports rural generalist trainees throughout their training, helping to prepare them for a career providing our regional, rural and remote communities with the essential care they need.

“This year, we have trainees working in regional centres such as Broken Hill, Tamworth and Dubbo, but also in GP practices in our smaller regional communities like Condobolin, Guyra and Tumut.

“Being a rural generalist means being a part of the community. It’s a unique, challenging and rewarding career, and it’s exciting to see our trainee numbers continue to grow year on year.”

Dr Marty Ryan, Rural Generalist Trainee:

“The beauty of this model is it allows the seamless transition from the primary setting into a hospital under the one contract.

“The breadth of experience you get as a rural generalist gives you so much job satisfaction and variety.

“One moment you’re at a hospital treating someone with pneumonia and the next hour you’re back down at the general practice clinic. It’s constant mental stimulation. That’s why I love the job.

“Growing up in a country town I know how deep the community spirit runs through them in the hard times as well as the good. It is such a special role and every day there are always compliments from patients who are so grateful to have you here.

“I thoroughly recommend this program to other doctors who are thinking of becoming a rural generalist.”

The huge trade potential of Wollongong and the wider Illawarra area will be the focus of the latest NSW Government ASEAN Market Update for NSW Businesses series being held in Wollongong today.

The updates provide local businesses with information about trends and export opportunities across Southeast Asian markets.

The ASEAN bloc is NSW’s second-largest trading partner, with two-way trade in goods growing by more than nine per cent in the past year. Continued rapid growth is expected in sectors where NSW businesses excel, such as food and beverage, health, and the digital economy.

Held in partnership with Asialink Business, today’s session will bring together around 80 participants, including Wollongong businesses, industry groups, and diplomatic representatives from Southeast Asian nations, at iAccelerate within the University of Wollongong’s Innovation Campus.

Speakers at the forum include NSW exporters who have already utilised Investment NSW’s export support services to build connections and drive export sales across Southeast Asia.

The NSW Government is focussed on promoting ASEAN market opportunities to NSW businesses, with the region expected to become the world’s fourth largest economy by 2040.

The ASEAN Market Updates series, is supported by other initiatives led by Investment NSW to help small and medium businesses pursue international growth objectives in Southeast Asia and other important export markets around the globe.

In 2024/25, these include supporting cleantech companies to export to Malaysia and Singapore, and wine to be exported to Vietnam.

The ASEAN Market Updates series began with a session in Western Sydney last October and will continue in the coming months with events in the Northern Rivers, the Hunter and Wagga Wagga.

For more information on how the NSW Government supports business to export, visit Investment NSW: https://www.investment.nsw.gov.au/export/

Minister for Industry and Trade Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“The ASEAN region is entering a golden age, propelled by a young population, industrialisation and technological advances, which present significant opportunities for NSW exporters.

“ASEAN nations are actively pursuing economic growth, with an increasing focus on sustainable development, food and health resilience, the digital economy and skills.

“My ASEAN Market Updates series is all about unlocking the potential of NSW businesses to export and partner with Southeast Asia, where our two-way trade is worth $33.6 billion and continuing to grow.

“The attendance of so many senior ranking diplomats, including Ambassadors and Consuls General shows the international attractiveness of the NSW economy and is a big vote of confidence in the Illawarra region.”

Minister for the Illawarra and the South Coast Ryan Park said:

“The Illawarra is home to innovative businesses with enormous export potential, and Southeast Asia presents a golden opportunity for growth.

“The NSW Government is here to support Wollongong businesses every step of the way to ensure they can compete and thrive on the global stage.”

Member for Wollongong Paul Scully said:

“I’m more than willing to take any opportunity to help sell Wollongong to the world.

“Wollongong has strong connections with the ASEAN region, but there remains enormous potential to take our trade and investment relationship to the next level.

“The University of Wollongong has opened three campuses across Malaysia and has several research partnerships, which is just one example of how we’re cultivating deeper connections with the ASEAN region.

“Today’s ASEAN Market Updates series is an important opportunity for our local businesses to learn more about this dynamic region and how exporting their products and services could turbocharge their growth.”

The Minns Labor Government is announcing a series of tough new measures to crack down on a recent escalation of troubling graffiti, racial hatred and antisemitism in the community.

The package of reforms will help give police and the community additional powers and resources to respond to disgusting acts of racial violence and hatred.

It sends a clear message to people who commit these crimes or intend to commit them that these acts have no place in NSW, and they will face severe and harsh penalties if they do.

In response to recent appalling attacks, the NSW Government will:

• Introduce a new criminal offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred, with a proposed maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment.
• Introduce a new offence in section 93ZA of the Crimes Act 1900 directed at the display of a Nazi symbol on or near a synagogue, with an increased maximum penalty to 2 years’ imprisonment, and clarify that that graffiti is a ‘public act’.
• Expand the aggravating circumstance that applies on sentence when an offence is motivated by hatred or prejudice to ensure that it applies whether a crime is partially or wholly motivated by hatred or prejudice.
• Amend the Graffiti Control Act 2008 to create an aggravated offence for graffiti on a place of worship.
• Introduce a new offence in the Crimes Act 1900 to stop people in or near a place of worship from intentionally blocking access to the place of worship without reasonable excuse, or from harassing, intimidating or threatening people accessing places of worship, and provide police with associated move on powers. This new offence is proposed to have a maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment.

In addition to these strengthened laws, the Minns Labor Government is also announcing:

• Increased funding to support the crucial work of the NSW Police Force Engagement and Hate Crime Unit by $525,000.  This will allow for boosted engagement and communications with the community, including additional synagogue and school visits.
• An increase to the NSW Local Government Social Cohesion Grants Program by $500,000.
• Training to support local governments address rising prevalence of hate crimes.

These reforms build on the significant work of the police over the summer:

• The NSW Police Force launched Operation Shelter on 11 October 2023 to respond to public safety in relation to the current conflict in the Middle East.
• More than 300 proactive patrols are conducted under Operation Shelter every day. These centre around significant sites such as places of worship.
• Resources from Traffic and Highway Patrol, the Regional Enforcement Squad, dog unit and Pol Air have also been brought in to help local police on the ground.
• Strike Force Pearl has been established to investigates these hate crimes – and doubled its fulltime dedicated detectives from 20 to 40.

The reforms send a strong message about the seriousness of committing acts of racial hatred and antisemitism, and the NSW Government’s commitment to send a clear message to perpetrators that they will be held responsible for these acts.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“We have seen disgusting acts of racial hatred and antisemitism.

“These are strong new laws, and they need to be because these attacks have to stop.

“NSW is a multicultural state, and these acts designed to intimidate and divide will not work.

“These laws have been drafted in response to the horrifying antisemitic violence in our community but it’s important to note that they will apply to anyone, preying on any person, of any religion.

“If you commit these acts, you will face severe penalties, and we make no apologies for that.”

Attorney General Michael Daley said:

“Blocking access to places of worship, graffitiing sacred sites, or inciting hatred are wholly unacceptable behaviours that have no place in our society. These proposed changes strengthen penalties and expand police powers to maintain order across the community.

“The Minns Government is expanding the criminal law to send a clear message that inciting hatred is not just unacceptable, it will soon be criminal.

“The entire community will be safer as a direct result of these changes. The proposed changes will mean that divisive and hateful behaviours will not succeed in dividing our community.”

Minister for the Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said:

“Police are doing everything they can to disrupt and investigate these vile crimes. Today’s announcement will further strengthen their capability to continue this critical work.

“Our community thrives on diversity and mutual respect. We refuse to let those driven by hate divide us.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“Our multicultural society is one of our greatest achievements, but it is not something we can afford to take for granted. It requires our constant attention.

“The Minns Government will continue to proactively address bad faith actors and explore every avenue to ensure social harmony and that our multicultural society is protected.”

Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said:

“It’s vital that all tiers of government are united in the effort to stop antisemitism.

“I welcome the additional support and training for councils so that they can expand their work promoting unity and harmony within local communities.”

The Minns Labor Government has once again been caught napping, allowing Victoria to swoop in and snatch the rights to host in-season NFL matches—an opportunity that should have been Sydney’s to claim.
 
This is a government with no vision, no strategy, and no idea.
 
Chris Minns, John Graham and Steve Kamper were handed a golden opportunity to bring one of the world’s most lucrative sports to Sydney. Instead, they sat on their hands while Victoria did the deal. Sydney didn’t lose this event—Labor lost it for us.
 
Sydney will now miss out on three in-season NFL matches from 2026, set to be played at the MCG. This comes despite Sydney’s superior stadium, local NFL talent like Jordan Mailata, and the clear economic benefits the event would have delivered to NSW.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said the Government couldn’t see the value in bringing tens of thousands of tourists, international media, and millions in economic activity to Sydney.
 
“This is a government that reacts instead of leads. A government that always turns up late and empty-handed. And a government that is fast becoming the worst advertisement for doing business in NSW,” Mr Speakman said.
 
Shadow Minister for Sport Eleni Petinos said the Minns Labor Government has completely dropped the ball on this one—while Victoria runs away with the win. NSW had every opportunity to secure these NFL games, but Labor let it slip through their fingers.
 
“NSW had the home-ground advantage, but Labor fumbled it away,” Ms Petinos said.
 
Victoria will now host one of the worlds’ biggest sporting codes while NSW is left to watch from the sidelines under a Labor government too weak to even get in the game.

Jo Haylen has made the right call to resign as Transport Minister. But make no mistake—this wasn’t Chris Minns taking decisive action. This was three days of weak leadership, excuses and political protection before Ms Haylen finally fell on her sword.
 
For three days, Chris Minns had opportunity after opportunity to sack his Transport Minister. The evidence was there and kept mounting. The repeated use of taxpayer-funded vehicles that no fair and reasonable person would accept was clear. But instead of acting, Chris Minns stalled, deflected, and hoped the problem would go away.
 
This is because Jo Haylen isn’t just any minister—she’s was one of Chris Minns’ key Left faction allies. The Premier wanted her in Cabinet to keep his own job secure. Even when the facts were undeniable, even when new revelations kept emerging, he refused to act.
 
Jo Haylen also proudly declared, ‘I’m incredibly proud that we’ve managed to make public transport exciting again.’ Well, commuters don’t find cancelled trains and transport chaos very exciting.
 
Under her watch:

• Against professional advice, she hand-picked a Labor donor and mate of both hers and Chris Minns to run Transport for NSW.
• She had a taxpayer-funded department liaison officer doing political work in her office.
• She oversaw a train network meltdown with over 1,200 services cancelled in a single day – a record.
• She used her ministerial car and driver in a way that no fair-minded and reasonable person would accept.

To clarify, the Minns Labor Government inherited a transport system transformed by the former Liberals and Nationals Government — including world-class infrastructure like the Metro. But instead of embracing innovation, Labor insisted on putting drivers on driverless trains, all to keep their union mates happy. This was after 16 years of Labor doing nothing for NSW.
 
While Jo Haylen has gone for the time being, what about Rose Jackson? Instead, stories appeared that said “a senior government source” claimed she had no idea it was her birthday celebrations to protect Ms Jackson while her friend took the fall. Chris Minns had taken no action on Ms Jackson because he relies on her to bring him left faction support.
 
The Premier had three days to show leadership. Three days to take action. Three days to prove that standards matter. Instead, he failed. Jo Haylen may be gone for the moment, but the rot inside the Minns Labor Government runs much deep.

This morning Chris Minns’ credibility as Premier is up for debate. During a train wreck radio interview, he tried to sidestep the obvious – his Transport Minister, Jo Haylen, misled the public about her use of taxpayer-funded drivers – and yet he still refuses to sack her.
 
This is not just about one dodgy minister; it is about two and a cover-up.
 
Yesterday Chris Minns claimed Jo Haylen made a “singular lapse in judgement.” He said she had nothing to hide. He said there were no other examples of Jo Haylen doing this.
 
That was not true.
 
It is since emerged that she repeatedly used her driver between Sydney and Caves Beach for the Saturday sports run.
 
It is also emerged that she used her driver on Sunday double time for a weekend family lunch west of the Blue Mountains.
 
Chris Minns is too weak to act because he relies on the hard-left faction that helped put him in the job.
 
If Jo Haylen and Rose Jackson stay, it is because Chris Minns is too scared to cross factional masters.
 
If Jo Haylen and Rose Jackson stay, it is because Chris Minns cares more about protecting the Labor Left than protecting taxpayer money.
 
Leader of the Opposition, Mark Speakman, said it is time for Chris Minns to do what any decent leader would do and sack Jo Haylen immediately. Rose Jackson, who has been and still is in hiding, must go too.
 
“Now we find out Jo Haylen has been caught out again – and this is not just about one rogue minister, it is about two. This is about a Premier who is too weak, too compromised, and too tied to faction heavyweights to do the right thing. If Chris Minns will not sack Jo Haylen and Rose Jackson, then he may as well admit he is just a puppet for the Labor Left,” Mr Speakman said.
 
This is not a government that treats taxpayer money with respect. It is a government of self-entitled elites, who see public money as their own personal slush fund.
 
Acting Shadow Minister for Transport Damien Tudehope said Chris Minns is letting Jo Haylen get away with it.
 
“The Premier’s repeated defence of the indefensible has now collapsed under the weight of fresh revelations about Jo Haylen’s travel rorts. Jo Haylen lied to the people of NSW, lied to the media, and lied to the Premier.
 
If Chris Minns has a shred of integrity, Haylen and Jackson must go. If he refuses, the people of NSW will know exactly who he works for – and it is not them,” said Mr Tudehope.   
 
Chris Minns’ judgement is shot. If he lets this slide, then the only conclusion voters can draw is this this Premier’s standards are as bad as his ministers.

The Future Land Use and Enabling Works project for Liddell Power Station has been approved by the Minns Labor Government, which will see the former power station, demolished, remediated and transformed for future industrial land uses.

The approval of the State Significant Development, south of Muswellbrook, will mean more jobs and industrial opportunities for the Upper Hunter.

Spanning around 143 hectares, the Future Land Use and Enabling Works project is expected to generate more than $260 million in Capital Investment Value (CIV) for the Upper Hunter Region as well as 100 full time equivalent jobs.

Remediation works will include:

• Demolition of the power station
• Construction and operation of a borrow pit for capping, civil works and recontouring of the site
• Recontouring and revegetation of the site
• Construction and operation of a landfill for the disposal of asbestos contaminated soil and material from demolished infrastructure.

In 2023, the Liddell Power Station came to the end of its technical life and was formally closed, with the proponent AGL committing to remediate the site for a cleaner future.

Following the assessment from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) the approval has strict conditions of consent to manage biodiversity, water and traffic impacts. Works are now expected to commence within the next 3 months and are expected to continue over the next ten years.

The Upper Hunter has long been an industrial powerhouse and this approval is only the most recent planning determination that indicates a broader Government support for the Upper Hunter to remain an industrial centre.

The approval also comes shortly after the Minns Government launched its Industrial Lands Action Plan (PDF 977.79KB) which sets out a new approach to plan, secure, and manage the supply of industrial lands to deliver new jobs, drive investment and support local economies.

The Minns Labor Government will continue to support robust investment and job opportunities in regional NSW.

For more information, visit the web page on the Liddell Future Land Use and Enabling Works Project.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“Under the Minns Government, we have a planning system that is supporting the renewable energy transition, approving projects that will support our communities, energy security and emissions reductions.

“With up to 100 jobs generated during construction and operation, this project will benefit the local economy, local communities and provide indirect benefits to local services throughout the life of project.

“This project is one of many that is part of the state’s growing renewable energy infrastructure that plays a vital role in powering our economy for generations to come.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said:

“The $260 million project injects a major capital investment within the Upper Hunter and will support dozens of new, local jobs.

“The Liddel Power Station is an important part of the Hunter’s history and this project represents the significant investment opportunities that lay ahead for the region.

“Today’s announcement further shores up our region as an industrial powerhouse, that will attract jobs, investment and innovation for decades to come.”

Duty MLC for the Upper Hunter Emily Suvaal said:

“This approval is welcome news for our area and shows the Minns Labor Government’s continued support for the future of the Upper Hunter.

“As the chair of the inquiry into Beneficial and Productive Postmining Land Use, I am hugely supportive of the Minns Government working with proponents to see industrial sites rehabilitated and renewed for future use.

“This means continued employment, investment and innovation for our region.”

More than $124,000 in funding has been provided to 99 community groups, schools and ex-service organisations from Wyong to Wagga Wagga, Cootamundra to Coogee, Winston Hills to Wollondilly as part of the Anzac Community Grants Program (ACGP) to commemorate veterans across the state.

Minister for Veterans David Harris announced today that $124,629 will be provided to a wide variety of projects that commemorate and educate NSW communities about the service and sacrifices of current and former servicemen and servicewomen.

The 2024 round of the ACGP received 116 applications, surpassing the number received last year with a record amount of funding requested. Up to $3,000 was provided to help fund each of the 99 projects around the state, with veterans as well as the wider community benefitting from the projects delivered from this round, including 34 schools, 20 RSL sub-Branches and 15 Councils.

Grant recipients include Wyalong Public School in the state’s west with funding to enhance their commemorative garden and Goulburn Mulwaree Council to support the display of the significant CEW Bean Military Collection.

For the full list of 2024 ACGP recipients and more information about the program visit https://www.veterans.nsw.gov.au/acgp2024

Minister for Veterans David Harris said:

“The NSW Government is dedicated to honouring the service and sacrifice of our veterans and their families.

“The Anzac Community Grants Program allocates funding for outstanding projects and initiatives that not only acknowledge Australia’s military service history but also play a crucial role in educating future generations and enhancing the wellbeing of the veteran community in NSW.

“This round saw applications from 99 suburbs, across 59 Local Government Areas and 57 State electorates. It’s wonderful to see that so many communities throughout NSW are applying for this funding, and many projects will gain from this program.”

Kylie Taylor, Principal, Wyalong Public School said:

“Thank you to the NSW Government for helping us to continue to honour the contributions of our former students who served in World War One. Our commemorative garden honours each serviceman with a plaque displaying their name, rank, and location of death, alongside a pathway marking the timeline of their wartime service with plants that represent the regions where these men fought.

“This funding will contribute to an accessible commemorative booklet and signage to serve as a valued educational space for our current and future students.”

Justin Croft, Museums Coordinator, Goulburn Mulwaree Council said:

“Thank you to the NSW Government for this funding which will contribute to upgrading and enhancing the display of the highly significant CEW Bean Military Collection.

“This Collection is available in our museum and provides a rich history of the contributions made by our servicemen and servicewomen during the First World War.”

A highly successful regional, rural and remote deployment program for key health care roles is set to be expanded over the next three years, with NSW Health recruiting nurses, midwives and allied health professionals to be posted to short term placements across NSW.

The NSW Health Deployment Program was first established in May 2023 to create a pipeline of skilled health professionals for short-term roles.

The short-term positions of between two and 13 weeks offer healthcare professionals the opportunity to travel and work in regional, rural and remote parts of NSW they may never have visited, with accommodation and travel costs covered.  

The NSW Government is currently seeking healthcare workers from more than 20 professions including nurses, midwives and allied health professionals for a range of short-term positions in hospitals and health facilities across NSW.

The initial success of the program so far has seen 90 staff undertake hundreds of deployments across the state in priority roles such as nursing, midwifery, occupational therapy, podiatry, speech pathology and physiotherapy.

NSW Health will now increase the team to around 400 to further strengthen its support to regional, rural and remote areas

Healthcare workers seeking a role with NSW Health, or current staff, are encouraged to register their interest via the NSW Health website.

The Minns Labor Government has introduced a series of measures to strengthen the state’s health workforce including:

• Implementing the Safe Staffing Levels initiative in our emergency departments
• Providing permanent funding for 1,112 FTE nurses and midwives on an ongoing basis
• Abolishing the wages cap and delivering the highest pay increase in more than a decade for nurses and other health workers
• Investing an additional $200.1 million in key worker accommodation
• Beginning to roll out 500 additional paramedics in regional, rural and remote communities
• Boosting subsidies for regional health workers.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“Recruitment and retention of healthcare staff in rural, regional and remote hospitals is one of our biggest, if not the biggest issue we face.

“This is a fantastic and unique opportunity for staff to expand their skills and also immerse themselves into a new community.

“This innovative program is not only attracting health workers to regional, rural and remote communities but also strengthening these areas by maintaining essential health services.

“These deployments give health workers the chance to explore and immerse themselves in new communities, and pleasingly I’ve heard stories of many health professionals who have found the experience so rewarding they’ve chosen to stay, providing lasting benefits for patients, the community, and the health system.”

NSW Health Deputy Secretary for Rural and Regional Health Luke Sloane:

“The deployment program offers a fantastic career opportunity for a range of healthcare staff who are seeking new experiences and a career reset as well as a great lifestyle change.

“It’s also an incredibly rewarding personal experience, with many who take part forming new friendships in close-knit communities who welcome them with open arms.”

NSW Health Deployment Program participant, Speech Pathologist Saffron Foy:

“I joined the NSW Health Deployment program because I wanted a bit of a change and I loved the experience of working in unique and supportive rural communities.

“At first it was a little nerve wracking, but the teams I was deployed to were so welcoming and inclusive that the nerves were shaken pretty quickly.

“I really recommend giving it a go and experiencing something new because it lets you experience a different lifestyle and allows you to improve and expand your skills.”