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Women across the State will have access to grants of up to $5,000 through the NSW Government’s new $10 million Return to Work program, as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the program would provide women with financial assistance and targeted support including mentoring, advice and training to help them return to the workforce.
“These grants will help women whose employment has been affected by COVID-19 to overcome some of the obstacles in returning to the workforce,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I encourage women from all walks of life to apply for these grants and use this springboard to jump back into their former career or even start a new one.”
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said helping more women get back to work will not only provide a financial lifeline for them and their families, it will also boost the economy.
“We know that many part-time or casual positions and female-dominated industries were severely impacted by COVID-19, so we are looking to empower as many women as possible to be able to get back into paid employment,” Mr Perrottet said.
It is estimated that women make up 53 per cent of directly affected industries and 65 per cent of secondary industries impacted by the pandemic. These include accommodation and food services, retail, arts, and professional services.
Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said the grants are available to all women who have been out of work for at least one month.
“There are so many costs involved in starting up again, so it is great that women looking to return to work will be able to use these grants towards things like training and education, office supplies, or whatever it is they need to get back into a job,” Mrs Taylor said.
“The money can also be used for childcare, including before and after school care and transport, which will really help mothers overcome some of the biggest barriers to getting back into work.”
Eligible recipients will be given a Return to Work Coordinator to develop a plan, which will set out the resources that will assist them getting back in the workforce. They must be a resident of NSW and plan to start paid work within six months.
The Return to Work Program aligns with the NSW Women’s Strategy, which sets the NSW Government’s priorities for supporting women and girls, especially following times of crisis.
For further information, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/register-interest-return-work-program.

The NSW Government announced today it is investing $60 million as part of its COVID-19 Recovery Plan to replace roofs at schools across rural and regional NSW.
NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro and Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Roof Replacement Program will support local construction economies by providing roof repairs and replacements for high priority schools.
“The NSW Government is continuing to roll out record amounts of funding for our regions and schools are no exception,” Mr Barilaro said.
“Our regional students are amongst the most talented in the country and they deserve to have the same quality facilities as their counterparts in the city. The economic stimulus directly associated with this infrastructure spend will be great news for local communities.”
“Schools will not need to apply to take part in this program as it is based on priority and community benefits.”
Ms Mitchell said the NSW Government was committed to making sure that local communities have access to modern facilities to support learning outcomes.
“The Roof Replacement Program will accelerate school infrastructure projects with high economic stimulus potential to minimise the impact of COVID-19 by creating local jobs and supporting economic growth,” Ms Mitchell said.
“The funding will benefit local communities by supporting over 300 jobs across regional NSW. Wherever possible, local contractors and suppliers will be engaged to ensure that the positive impact of this stimulus is felt through the regions.”
The program will be prioritised by the need of the school and community benefits.

Up to 270,000 people are projected to be back in work by 2024 as the NSW Government turbocharges stimulus measures to combat unemployment and help NSW shake-off the economic shackles of COVID-19.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet will hand down the 2020-21 NSW Budget tomorrow with a focus squarely on creating jobs through tax cuts, stimulus and a boost to the State’s record infrastructure pipeline.
Among the measures to be announced by the Treasurer will be a payroll tax threshold increase from $1 million to $1.2 million, delivering a tax cut for thousands of businesses and further support for jobs in NSW.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the Government was determined to help as many people return to the workforce as possible.
“While we all wait for the COVID-19 vaccine to arrive, the NSW Government is determined to treat the economic symptoms of the pandemic by saving and creating as many jobs as possible,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Our targeted stimulus measures are aimed at returning the economy to a positive footing after the challenges of COVID-19.”
NSW Treasury predicts the State’s unemployment rate is forecast to drop from a peak of 7.5 per cent in the December quarter 2020 to around 5¼ per cent in June 2024.
“Our strong budget position has allowed us to weather the most severe economic storm in a generation, and we will continue to lead the way in job creation and supporting business through the 2020-21 Budget,” Mr Perrottet said.
The Treasurer said new initiatives, such as the $250 million Jobs Plus program to help create or support  jobs and encourage business to relocate to NSW, and an additional $300 million injected into the Regional Growth Fund announced last week, would help drive the State’s economy back into high gear.
Last week the NSW Government also released a detailed planning package for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis which will see up to 200,000 jobs over coming decades.
Infrastructure and maintenance projects which will receive additional or fast‑tracked funding in tomorrow’s Budget include:

• Metro projects such as the Sydney Metro West and the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport;
• New roads such as the Sydney Gateway and significant road upgrades including the Pacific and Princes Highways;
• Major investments in health, including the redevelopment of the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and expansion of Sydney Children’s Hospital at Randwick;
• New public schools in Googong, Murrumbateman and Edmondson Park, major upgrades at Picnic Point High School, Carlingford West and North Sydney Public Schools and  $240 million to partner with local regional and metropolitan schools to accelerate upgrades to school facilities and amenities;
• $104.5 million to an Arts and Maintenance Upgrade Fund to stimulate jobs and the economy through improving accessibility, sustainability and functionality of our cultural assets.

A major milestone in the NSW’s largest school building program was marked today in Tamworth with the delivery of the 50th school capital project for 2020, more than any other year.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell and Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson joined the students and teachers of Tamworth Public School to open the $14.8 million upgraded school facilities.
Ms Mitchell said the 50th project completion for the year represents a $1.5 billion investment in our schools.
“I’m thrilled to join the students and staff of Tamworth Public School and proud that the 50th project for the State in 2020 is being delivered in regional NSW,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Our historic $6.7 billion investment in school infrastructure is changing the education landscape across the State, benefitting hundreds of communities, Tamworth being the latest.
The upgrade at Tamworth Public School delivered seven new learning spaces, a new hall, new staff facilities, three activities areas and the refurbishment of the former teacher’s cottage.
Member for Tamworth, Kevin Anderson said he was proud the NSW Government had delivered such a significant project for Tamworth.
“I’m pleased to be here today to be able to see the wonderful new facilities first hand,” Mr Anderson said.
“Tamworth continues to benefit from this Government’s record investment education.”
“This major upgrade will benefit the local community for generations to come.’’

Small businesses will have greater opportunities to provide their goods and services to the NSW Government with the 2020-21 Budget delivering $5 million to establish a tendering support service, which will create local jobs and support the economic recovery of NSW.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said the NSW Small Business Commission would deliver a four-year program to support small and local businesses to submit tenders and negotiate Government contracts.
“The NSW Government spends more than $40 billion each year on the procurement of goods, services and construction, with nearly half of that amount going to small and medium businesses,” Mr Tudehope said.
“However, many small businesses are not aware of the opportunities that exist or are unfamiliar with the NSW Government tendering processes. They will benefit from additional guidance and support.
“Small businesses make up 97.5 per cent of businesses in NSW and by generating more work for local and small businesses through existing Government spending, we will support jobs, families and local communities.”
Mr Tudehope said the program would also support smaller, regional suppliers to tender for and access government contracts.
“The new program aligns with the NSW Government Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and Regional Procurement Policy, which requires Government agencies to first consider buying goods and services from an SME for all direct procurements up to $250,000.
“The policy’s Small Business Exemption allows Government departments to buy directly from small businesses for any purchases up to $50,000 even if there is a mandated whole-of-government contract in place.”
NSW Small Business Commissioner Chris Lamont said the Small Business Commission would develop targeted information and support to assist small business put their best proposals forward.
“For some small and medium enterprises it’s hard to know where to start, this measure will provide practical support and assistance,” Mr Lamont said.
Businesses can also access independent business advice to build their capability to supply goods and services to government, through the NSW Government’s Business Connect program. On top of the Government’s announcement in April of $9.8 million to continue Business Connect funding for 2020-21, the program will be extended for a further three years, representing a total $39.3 million, four-year commitment.
Businesses can register and search for existing opportunities to supply to the NSW Government at: https://suppliers.buy.nsw.gov.au/

Targeting hate crime, building community harmony and responding to threats of violent extremism are the focus of an additional $12.3 million investment through the NSW Government’s 2020-21 Budget.
Minister for Counter Terrorism Anthony Roberts said the funding will boost a number of successful programs.
“The NSW Government understands that there is no one path to violent extremism and the challenge is ever evolving,” Mr Roberts said
“This additional funding will work to limit the spread and influence of all forms of violent extremism and will also improve our response to threats fueled by grievances and fixations.”
Attorney General Mark Speakman said this funding will support a range of services across government and throughout the community to combat violence and hate.
“We are a strong and connected community. This has shone through in NSW’s response to the devastating bushfires and the COVID pandemic,” Mr Speakman said.
“But we cannot ignore the fact that a small number of individuals would like to divide us, incite fear and threaten our safety. This funding will limit the spread and influence of violent extremism and boost our response to threats fueled by hatred and prejudice.”
Minister for Police and Emergency Services said this package will include an injection of funding for the NSW Police Force’s Engagement and Hate Crime Unit.
“We will strengthen the NSW Police Force’s capability to address hate crime, by providing additional training for frontline officers and additional resources to assist in the investigation of these heinous crimes,” Mr Elliott said.
“Community safety is the NSW Government’s number one priority and this funding builds on our ongoing commitment to support the hardworking men and women of the NSW Police Force who protect us from those who seek to sow hatred and violence.”
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said countering violent extremism and hate crime has been a long-standing priority for the Force.
“The NSW Police Force remains committed to detecting, intervening, and most importantly, preventing bias-motivated and fixated person crimes,” the Commissioner said.
“The safety of the people of NSW always comes first, and we will continue to target and take swift action against anyone who seeks to do harm regardless of their motivation.”
Funding will also be allocated to:

• Deliver case management, counselling and support to identify at-risk individuals and divert them away from extremism
• Campaigns and projects targeted at countering hatred and building community cohesion, including the Community Partnership Action (COMPACT) grants program and the online Remove Hate from the Debate campaign

This funding builds on the four-year $47 million package announced in 2016 in response to the rise of violent extremism and accelerated after the terrorist attack in Parramatta, which tragically cost the life of NSW Police accountant Curtis Cheng.
These new measures have been developed in line with the outcomes of an evaluation of the 2016 package.

The NSW Government has earmarked $46.8 million over four years as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget to deliver 100 new school-based nurses to support the health and wellbeing needs of students and their families.
The expansion of the successful Wellbeing and Health In-Reach Nurse (WHIN)  program will see the highly skilled nurses embedded in more schools to ensure students can easily access health and social support when they need it.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the new funding would mean thousands more students across the State would have access to a nurse at school.
“With the added stress of COVID-19 on our young people, the further expansion of this program will ensure children, young people and families don’t miss out on the support they need,” Mr Perrottet said.
“NSW Health will fund these positions, however the practitioners will work with the Department of Education, with data and evidence to be used to place the nurses in areas of most need.
“This commitment is an investment in the mental health of young people across the state and will build a more resilient post-pandemic NSW for the future.”
Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said an evaluation of the pilot sites found the wellbeing nurses had successfully supported vulnerable students for a range of health and mental wellbeing issues.
“With the pilot program, we saw that school children often go and see the nurse about general health issues and once they are there, open up about other problems they have been experiencing,” Mrs Taylor said.
“The nurses will be given mental health training but are also there to deliver general health care and advice at the right time.
“We are making sure we are delivering quality services for everyone, no matter their age or where they live.”
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said WHIN nurses are currently based in secondary and primary schools in Young, Tumut, Cooma, Deniliquin, Murwillumbah and Lithgow.
“These nurses are an important asset in our schools and as part of a combined approach with school counsellors and mental health training, our students will have every possible access to help when they need it,” Mrs Mitchell said.
The WHIN program is a joint initiative of NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education, which launched as a pilot in 2018 in Cooma, Tumut and Young and extended to three other regional communities in 2020.

The NSW Government is investing $6 million over three years as part of the 2020-21 NSW Budget to establish 12 Community Wellbeing Collaboratives in communities at high risk of suicide.
The collaboratives organise the response from all services in the local area in times of need bringing together doctors, nurses, police, ambulance, media, teachers, parents, carers, Aboriginal organisations and local councils.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funds would be directed to organisations including headspace and Lifeline, which will lead the coordination.
“The NSW Government is investing in our people and our future, and we know this starts with providing quality services for everyone in NSW,” Mr Perrottet said.
“The unique innovative collaborative model will use data identified from schools and local services to develop this grassroots approach to suicide prevention.”
The Community Wellbeing Collaboratives will engage young people and adults, including people with a lived experience of mental illness and suicide.
In the event of a suicide cluster, the collaboratives will coordinate a rapid response from the ground up.
Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women Bronnie Taylor said the collaboratives would work with the community even when there wasn’t a crisis, to continually engage with local people and provide information to parents, teachers, carers and young people about mental health.
“We know the majority of mental health care is delivered in the community, which is why we’re embedding both proactive and reactive layers of support outside the hospital setting, in the places where people live their lives every day,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Evidence tells us that the best response to suicide comes from a local grass roots level. They know what works best for their communities and ultimately this program will allow us to better support young people and their families during the pandemic and beyond.”
This $6 million investment for the Community Wellbeing Collaboratives brings total funding committed to Towards Zero Suicides initiatives to $90 million.
If you, or someone you know, is thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis or distress, please seek help immediately by calling 000 or one of these services:

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• NSW Mental Health Line 1800 011 511