Category: NSW News

As state and national borders reopen, the NSW Government is helping the tourism sector address critical skills shortages with thousands of free training places on offer ahead of a bumper holiday season.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee today announced more than 2,700 fee-free training places initially available across 35 short courses at TAFE NSW and other registered training providers with scope to increase with demand. This includes training in specialist outdoor recreation and accommodation and customer services for businesses large and small.
Mr Lee said the training is available now to attract more workers to tourism businesses at a vital time in the sector’s recovery, as well as open the door to a new career for thousands of people.
“People from around the country are lining up to book holidays all over our great state and the NSW Government wants to help support those businesses attract enthusiastic and skilled staff,” Mr Lee said.
“Industry estimates around 600,000 staff across the country left the sector during the pandemic, which is why training opportunities like these free courses are so valuable, filling labour gaps and giving jobseekers the opportunity of a bright future in tourism.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Trade and Industry Stuart Ayres said access to skilled workers is one of the greatest challenges facing tourism and hospitality businesses in NSW right now.
“Our tourism operators, event owners and local tourism organisations are the backbone of this industry and they need more skilled staff to rebuild. Offering fee-free training means we can support both businesses and workers, which will help grow NSW’s visitor economy,” Mr Ayres said.
A recent Tourism and Transport Forum Australia survey of more than 500 businesses reveals a third of tourism businesses who took had to let staff go during COVID-19, compared to less than ten percent in other sectors.
Tourism Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson said the tourism, hospitality and accommodation sector was crying out for more skilled staff.
“This initiative is a great way to give school leavers and employees displaced over the last 18 months the skills they need to join our great industry,” Mr Johnson said.
Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Chief Executive Margy Osmond said the free training would help to provide valuable entry opportunities for people keen to join the vibrant NSW tourism sector.
“Tourism & Transport Forum Australia is fully behind the NSW Government’s efforts to rebuild skills capacity and address gaps across the state’s tourism labour market,” Ms Osmond said.
“As the NSW visitor economy recovers, the tourism industry that can take its employees all around the state from the coast to the far west, as well as much further afield and it can also reward them with pathways to senior leadership roles over time.”
Free courses available under the program include:

• Outdoor Leadership (Basic Water Rescues, Snorkel, Lead Snorkeling, Paddle and Lead Stand Up Board on Inland Flatwater)
• Tourism Product Design and Promotion
• Hospitality (Interact with Customers, Safe Work Practices and Visitor Information, Housekeeping, Responsible Service of Alcohol, Social/Cultural Sensitivity)
• Outdoor Recreation (Vertical Rescues, Abseil, Establish Ropes and Lead Single Pitch Abseiling on Natural Surfaces)
• Bicycle Servicing
• Swimming and Water Safety Teacher
• Infection control

Today’s announcement complements the nearly 250,000 free training places being funded under the joint State and Federal JobTrainer program, and adds to the NSW Government investment in free training recently announced for the Retail and Hospitality sectors.
To explore other fee-free courses available to study, visit: https://bit.ly/32n97Vf

More inclusive playspaces will be rolled out across the state, with $4 million to be shared between 29 councils in the fourth and final round of the NSW Government’s Everyone Can Play program.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the funding will support the delivery of 33 new or upgraded playspaces across NSW.
“All communities should have access to great public spaces, and the Everyone Can Play program is providing people of all ages and abilities with places to come together and have fun,” Mr Stokes said.
“Since 2018 we’ve invested $15 million into 108 new or improved playspaces in Greater Sydney and regional NSW. We’re thrilled to announce funding for another 33 projects, providing more and better public play facilities everyone can enjoy.
“This award-winning program asks three simple questions to inform best practice inclusive design – Can I get there? Can I play? Can I stay?”
Some of the 33 projects funded in the final round of the Everyone Can Play program include:

• Wollongong City Council: $200,000 for an inclusive playspace in Stuart Park;
• City of Canada Bay Council: $200,000 for an inclusive nature playspace in Queen Elizabeth Park;
• Goulburn Mulwaree Council: $200,000 for a new inclusive nature playspace in Marulan Village;
• Georges River Council: $200,000 for a new inclusive playspace in Oleander Reserve;
• Cumberland City Council: $75,000 for an upgrade to the Ruth Street Park playspace; and
• Upper Hunter Shire Council: $74,000 for an upgrade to the Amaroo Park playspace.

The Everyone Can Play program was established in 2018 as part of the NSW Government’s $290 million Open Spaces and Greener Sydney package. It supports the Government’s target of increasing public access to quality, walkable, green and open public space.
An additional $4 million is also up for grabs for councils across Greater Sydney as part of the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Greenspace Program.
Mr Stokes said the NSW Government will match councils dollar-for-dollar for new and improved parks, cycleways and greenspaces.
“Last year, we awarded almost $4 million to support 12 councils to deliver 13 projects and it’s now time for councils to nominate again for more projects.”
Applications for the Metropolitan Greenspace Program are open until 4 March 2022.
For further details, visit https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/metropolitan-greenspace-program
A full list of Everyone Can Play grant recipients is available at: www.planning.nsw.gov.au/EveryoneCanPlay

Clearer and simpler processes will support quality providers to operate Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) services, following a Department of Education review and streamlining of OSHC licence agreements.
The changes allow the Department to more transparently select high quality providers that best meet the needs of schools and most benefit students, while supporting existing providers of OSHC services to make a smooth transition to new arrangements.
Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the Department’s review of licence agreements identified areas of improvement were needed, including simplification of the licence categories and associated tender processes.
“We are committed to providing before and after school care services for families who need it in NSW, and we want these services to be as high quality and affordable as possible,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Changes to the licensing approach are needed to ensure the Department is following best-practice administrative law and direct negotiations guidelines, and to ensure that students and families have access to the best possible OSHC services.”
The Department is simplifying the licensing process by making Category A licences available only to P&C Associations.
Parent-run providers in this category who are not currently run by the P&C Association will be supported to transition to be incorporated under their P&C. Alternatively, providers can change to the not-for-profit Category B. Affected providers will have until at least December 2022 to finalise their transition process.
“We know how important parent-run services are to our school communities. That is why we want to work with and support them through this transition process,” Ms Mitchell said.
Government tendering guidelines require Category B and C providers to go to tender once their current licence expires.
The Department of Education will work with affected services to provide support and ensure a smooth transition into their new category.
To ensure more access to before and after school care in NSW, the NSW Government has committed $120 million to deliver a range of funded innovative solutions for the sector.

From today eligible sole traders, not-for-profit organisations and small businesses in NSW will be able to access up to $2,000 in relief to help them bounce back and get the economy firing again.
Treasurer Matt Kean said the increased and expanded grant would provide businesses with additional relief as part of the NSW COVID-19 Economic Recovery Strategy.
“From today, the Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate will increase from $1,500 to $2,000 and will now include road user tolls for business usage,” Mr Kean said.
“The rebate can be claimed against eligible NSW and local Government fees and charges that are required to run a business such as food authority licences, liquor licences, event fees and council rates.
“It’s been a tough year for sole traders and small operators and this is one more way the NSW Government is helping to keep businesses in business.”
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said 70,000 businesses had already lodged a claim under the initial scheme, saving more than $82 million since it was launched on 1 April 2021.
“The expanded Small Business Fees and Charges Rebate will be available to small businesses across the State, from your local electrician paying for their trade licence to the café on the corner setting up outdoor seating,” Mr Tudehope said.
“The expansion to cover road tolls paid since 1 March 2021 will be especially helpful to those businesses who spend a lot of time in the car, truck or van.
“Toll relief of up to $2,000 will have a significant impact on the bottom line for a small business.”
Business owners can apply for the rebate by logging into their Business Profile via the MyService NSW Account.
Once approved, businesses will be provided with a $2,000 digital voucher in their Business Profile which applicants can draw down on to offset the cost of Government expenses.
Simply lodge your proof of payment and the money will be refunded back into your bank account.
Small businesses which have already registered for the previous $1,500 Small Business Rebate program will not be required to re-register. Those businesses will receive an automatic $500 top-up to the digital voucher. New applicants will receive one $2,000 digital voucher.
Applications for the rebate from new businesses will open today. These businesses can submit claims as soon as their application has been approved.
For more information on how to apply, visit nsw.gov.au.

An additional $3.1 billion in economic benefits are expected to be realised over the coming decade across NSW following permanent adoption of many initiatives introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Treasurer Matt Kean said most of the temporary regulations introduced to support businesses and individuals due to COVID-19 had proven to be both popular and effective and, after consultation and evaluation, it made sense to retain them.
“From allowing greater use of food trucks and dark kitchens, to giving workers more flexibility in how they take long service leave – these measures have been providing the extra support many businesses needed during COVID-19,” Mr Kean said.
“By keeping these changes, we are allowing more paper processes to be handled digitally, more meetings to occur remotely, greater flexibility for home business operations and keeping people in jobs.
“Analysis shows the net economic benefit over 10 years, as a result of these regulation reforms, is $3.1 billion in flexibility and time savings, with increased long service leave flexibility for workers delivering $1.9 billion of that.”
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the planning system had been an enabler for productivity and growth during the pandemic.
“The disruption of the pandemic allowed us to experiment with how the planning system can work better to drive productivity. We’re now securing those benefits in perpetuity,” Mr Stokes said.
“We know the pandemic has spurred new ways of living, working and playing, and the planning system must support those shifts and allow our communities to live better lives.”
NSW Productivity Commissioner Peter Achterstraat AM recommended in his White Paper this year that the temporary measures brought in as a result of COVID be evaluated with a view to being made permanent.
“Earlier this year the NSW Government agreed to extend temporary COVID-19 regulatory reforms for 12 months, evaluate the reforms and keep those shown to have a net public benefit,” Mr Achterstraat said.
“It’s now been proven many of the changes have positive impacts. This is how good regulatory reform works – having an experimental and flexible approach to regulation can bring positive change for the community.”
The temporary changes made permanent include:

• More flexibility for strata owners’ corporations, community land associations and incorporated associations to meet and vote electronically;
• Allowing digital display of planning documents;
• Allowing planning panels and the Independent Planning Commission to hold public hearings and meetings online or in person;
• Allowing lower-risk licensed venues, including restaurants and cafés, to sell takeaway and home delivery alcohol under the Liquor Act 2007, subject to limitations including purchase with a meal and restrictions on amount purchased;
• Greater flexibility for employees and businesses to access long service leave under the Long Service Leave Act 1955; and
• Allowing audio link or audio-visual link to conduct interviews and questioning remotely under the Fisheries Management Act 1994, Mining Act 1992,Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, Crown Land Management Act 2016, and the Water Management Act 2000.

The NSW Productivity Commission’s White Paper can be read here: https://www.productivity.nsw.gov.au/white-paper
More information available here: https://www.planning.nsw.gov.au/COVID19

The NSW Government will redevelop Penrith Stadium as part of its commitment to turn suburban venues into world class facilities.
Work on the stadium will begin at the start of 2023 and is expected to take two years.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the announcement and confirmation of construction would give Western Sydney an outstanding landmark venue, befitting of Australia’s only global city.
“The Eastern City is getting a world class stadium, the Central City has world class stadia and now the Western City will have a world class stadium,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Penrith Stadium is a hub for Western Sydney – it’s where sporting success is celebrated, where families come together, and where our next generation of sporting superstars train.
“But this upgrade is about much more than sport, it is about bringing suburban venues to the fore and taking major events across the state.”
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said the investment would help carry Western Sydney into the future.
“This new venue will help take Penrith to the next level in sport, entertainment and tourism,” Mr Ayres said.
“With a new international airport and metro rail line on the way in the Western Parkland City, now is exactly the right time to be investing in visitor economy assets in centres like Penrith.
“While this venue will be home to the current NRL Premiers the Penrith Panthers, it is about so much more than rugby league. This stadium will be a new major event venue for our growing population in Western Sydney.”
Minister for Sport Natalie Ward said the upgrade would ensure Sydney and NSW were well placed to host major events in years to come.
“We already have Sydney locked in as a host city for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, and now with Penrith Stadium set to become a first-class venue, the sky is the limit when it comes to events NSW can bid for,” Mrs Ward said.

Technology leader Microsoft, University of Technology Sydney and Macquarie University will join forces with TAFE NSW to pilot the State’s first Institute of Applied Technology for Digital Technology, a new revolutionary education model.
Premier Dominic Perrottet today unveiled the partners of the Institute of Applied Technology (IAT) for Digital Technology, which is under construction as part of the $154 million Meadowbank Education Preccinct.
“This innovative partnership will see students merge the knowledge gained through university study with the hands-on technical skills acquired through vocational education, all in the one model,” Mr Perrottet said.
“To have a global technology leader like Microsoft as the foundational industry partner for the Institute of Applied Technology for Digital Technology is a no-brainer. It means NSW jobseekers will be getting the absolute best vocational training supported by industry leaders and world-leading universities.”
Students who study at the IAT for Digital Technology can gain credentials at all academic levels of study they undertake, including a certificate, a diploma or bachelor’s degree.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said  the IAT in Digital Tech will play a critical role in developing a strong and robust technology workforce in NSW and addressing industry-wide skills shortages.
“The IAT for Digital Technology will first focus on the three signature disciplines of big data, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, ensuring the next generation of IT professionals can rise to the tech industry’s rapidly changing needs,” Mr Lee said.
“These partners will create industry-led and embedded training programs, including Micro Skills and Micro-Credentials, Masterclasses, and Industry Credentialing to allow for rapid upskilling of our tech workforce.”
Minister for Digital and Member for Ryde Victor Dominello said the IAT will also deliver new ICT traineeships, which will develop and support budding IT professionals through the creation of training and employment opportunities in NSW public-sector agencies.
“This partnership will transform Meadowbank into an education and employment powerhouse and prepare local students for the jobs of the future,” Mr Dominello said.
Managing Director of Microsoft Australia and New Zealand Steven Worrall said he was proud to partner with TAFE NSW and university partners to nurture tangible skills among the next generation of homegrown talent.
“The speed at which technology evolves requires an agile approach to education – one that arms students with real-world skills that meet current workforce needs while futureproofing our nation’s technology capabilities.
“We are proud to be working with TAFE NSW and university partners to build a new educational model and student experience that is by nature flexible, scalable, accessible, and promotes greater diversity of thought across the industry.”
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney Professor Andrew Parfitt said the IAT will support the people of NSW by providing integrated education pathways and job opportunities driven by industry demand.
“UTS is proud to produce graduates that are next-generation leaders with real-world experience and digital transformation skills in new and emerging fields,” Mr Parfitt said.
Vice-Chancellor of Macquarie University Professor Bruce Dowton said the collaborative model would allow the IAT to be agile in responding to change across all sectors.
“Digital skills are in demand while the fast pace of technological change continues to impact the skill needs of the current and future workforce,” Mr Dowton said.
“Providing training in emerging digital technology skill areas will be vital, not only for jobs in digital technology but also for jobs across all sectors, where digital tools and new technologies are reshaping roles and the future of work.”
The IAT for Digital Technology is due to open in August 2022.

The NSW Government is adding an additional 37 schools to the Cooler Classrooms Program, taking the total number to 959 schools across NSW benefitting from this investment.
The program, announced in 2018, is a five-year $500 million commitment to deliver heating, cooling and fresh air ventilation in NSW public schools. This is the first time there has been a dedicated program to install air-conditioning in schools with those in the hottest parts of the state prioritised.
Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the program is ahead of schedule for the existing 922 schools receiving the system, and she was thrilled to add more schools to the program.
“Our focus has been on our existing delivery priorities including 611 schools in the hottest parts of NSW. I am pleased that we are now in a position to include an additional 37 schools in the program, enhancing the learning environments for students and teachers at NSW public schools,” Ms Mitchell said.
“It is the NSW Liberals and Nationals Government that is delivering record funding in school infrastructure and we will continue to invest in our children’s learning facilities.”
“Students right across NSW are benefiting from this program with more than 4,700 classrooms and 330 libraries already completed with more than 10,000 classrooms and 900 libraries now approved for delivery.”
The systems installed as part of the Cooler Classrooms Program incorporate ‘smart systems’ technology that offer heating, cooling, and the provision of outside fresh air. The units will automatically shut-down after hours and will be powered by solar technology and battery storage to off-set energy usage at more than 300 schools.
“These are complex systems with additional work now to deliver a better system in the long run,” Ms Mitchell said.
As part of the program, more than 3,000 gas heaters are being removed from classrooms and learning spaces.
These systems are also installed in all new and upgraded school facilities delivered as part of the major capital works program.
The NSW Government is investing $7.9 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

The NSW Government has today unveiled new renewable energy courses, which will help power the growing demand for workers in the sector.
In a first for the State’s Public Training Provider, TAFE NSW will offer a Diploma of Renewable Energy Engineering from next year, along with five new micro-credentials aimed at helping students tap into the renewables jobs boom.
Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee said the NSW Government is positioning the State to be at the forefront of Australia’s renewable energy employment boom.
“The NSW Government is committed to a cleaner, greener future and an important part of that is ensuring we don’t just have the right renewable energy infrastructure, but we also have the right highly-trained workers to run it,” Mr Lee said.
“As Australia’s leading provider of vocational education and training, TAFE NSW is uniquely positioned to provide the practical skills and knowledge to power the industry into the future.”
The new TAFE NSW diploma was developed in close collaboration with industry and would be aligned to high-demand jobs in the renewables sector, including in solar, energy storage systems and wind technology.
Minister for Energy and Environment Matt Kean said the TAFE NSW courses will help transform the State into a clean energy superpower and support local job creation.
“Thousands of jobs will be created in the renewables sector in the coming years, particularly in our regions, and it’s great to see TAFE supporting these low carbon jobs of the future,” Mr Kean said.
“The NSW Government has the nation-leading policies and plans in place to help us deliver on our commitment to halve the State’s emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050,” Mr Kean said.
The NSW Government’s Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap is expected to support 6,300 construction jobs and 2,800 ongoing jobs, mostly in regional NSW, by 2030.
The new courses are being offered at TAFE NSW Ultimo and Newcastle, via a blend of virtual classroom learning and face-to-face practical workshops.
For more information or to enrol in the Diploma of Renewable Energy Engineering, visit: https://bit.ly/3rlbgvf

Families with young children in NSW will have better access to high quality pre-school and early childhood education due to an historic agreement between the Commonwealth and New South Wales Governments.
The new National Preschool Reform Agreement, with NSW as its first signatory, ensures every child will receive high quality education in the year before school, regardless of where they live or their background.
Acting Minister for Education and Youth, Stuart Robert said the agreement will ensure children in NSW have access to quality preschool options and are better prepared for their first year of school.
‘This funding agreement provides certainty to parents, educators and the sector throughout New South Wales,’ Minister Robert said.
‘It will help every child in New South Wales—about 400,000 children over four years—have the opportunity to attend at least 15 hours of preschool a week in the year before they start school.’
The Commonwealth Government has committed $560 million of new funding with more than $280 million from the NSW Government to support the four year funding deal.
The NSW Government will also increase the quality of preschool and long day care education by delivering targeted programs for children who experience disadvantage.
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean said our most important economic asset is our people and there is no better way to ensure a prosperous future than to make sure everyone has the best possible education and start to life.
‘We want every child in NSW to have the best start in life and every family the support they need to fully participate in the workforce,’ Mr Kean said.
‘Investing in our people, our families and our kids will help us grow today’s economy by increasing workforce participation rates and it will help our future prosperity by giving our kids the best possible start in life.
‘This is a game changing deal for families in NSW, providing parents and carers the freedom to participate in the workforce in ways that better suit their needs.’
Funding will be linked to reforms to increase preschool participation rates and improve outcomes, benefiting all children regardless of the type of preschool they attend.
In NSW increased funding to long day care will also allow a greater focus on quality and support for children’s transition to school.
There will also be an increased focus on engagement of children and families, particularly from vulnerable and disadvantaged backgrounds, to help them have a happy, safe and supported preschool experience and a stronger start in life.
NSW Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Sarah Mitchell said the new funding deal will provide stability to the sector and provide more access to early childhood education for young children.
‘Every child deserves the best start in life, and this reform means more children will have access to a quality preschool education right across New South Wales,’ Ms Mitchell said.
‘This agreement builds on our commitment to support young families through our free preschool program, which we know has made a positive impact across New South Wales.
‘By boosting funding for long day care services to provide high quality preschool programs, families will get more flexibility and choice when it comes to early education for their child.’
The historic signing means the Preschool Reform Agreement 2022-2025 is now a National Partnership and the Commonwealth welcomes other states signing on ahead of the 2022 preschool year.
The Commonwealth has guaranteed ongoing funding for preschools and this four-year agreement provides long term certainty to around 300,000 Australian children and their families each year, along with the early childhood education sector.
The Commonwealth’s historic investment in early childhood education also includes around $10 billion a year through the child care system to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for families using child care and improve workforce participation.