Category: NSW News

The Industrial Relations Commission of NSW (IRC) has handed down its decision on the Awards covering Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters.

NSW firefighters will receive a 14 per cent wage increase over three years, backdated to February 2024.

This includes a one-off reset of two per cent spread over the life of the three-year Awards, which the IRC found was needed due to cost of living pressures after the former government’s wage decisions artificially repressed pay for the State’s almost 7,000 firefighters.

The Minns Labor Government was elected with a mandate to scrap the Coalition’s unfair wages cap for essential workers and reestablish the Industrial Relations Commission as an independent umpire.

The decision will deliver a four per cent pay rise backdated to February 2024, four per cent from February 2025 and three per cent in the final year from February 2026.

The IRC has also awarded an additional three per cent increase from 2026 to recognise firefighters’ competency in road crash rescue work. The Commission found road crash rescue is now a core function of the role, mandating its payment to all firefighters in recognition of the scope of work of modern firefighters.

This decision of the IRC reflects the vital role all firefighters can now play in responding to motor vehicle accidents, saving lives by extracting people from crashes sooner.

The Minns Labor Government is committed to ensuring a fair, modern and sustainable wages policy for all workers, consistent with our Fair Pay and Bargaining Policy.

Minister for Industrial Relations Sophie Cotsis said:

“I welcome today’s IRC decision delivering wage certainty for our firefighters, including an important recognition of the work they do in road crash rescues.

“The Minns Labor Government continues the work of rebuilding the state’s essential services and reforming the industrial relations system. 

“That work began with the scrapping of the Coalition’s wages cap which was in place for 12 years, introducing a fairer, modern bargaining framework, and strengthening the Industrial Relations Commission’s ability to ensure there is continued fairness in our public sector workplaces and that services are delivered to the NSW community.

“We were elected on a mandate to fix the recruitment and retention crisis in essential services and that is what we are doing.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“After more than a decade of an unfair wages cap we are delivering pay increases for frontline firefighters that recognise their work and commitment to our communities.

“This offer increases wages and improves benefits for firefighters across NSW and demonstrates we are delivering a fairer workplace bargaining system.

“Our firefighters provide vital assistance in times of need and the Minns Government continues to support the people who protect and defend NSW communities.”

Fire and Rescue NSW Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said:

“This outcome recognises the critical work our firefighters to every day to keep NSW communities safe.

“It also provides certainty as we work with the Fire Brigade Employees’ Union to implement the decision and support firefighters across the state.”

The Minns Labor Government has today announced $1 million in funding to help tackle Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate in NSW.

The grant, which is funded by the Premier’s Department and Multicultural NSW, will support the Action Against Islamophobia initiative.

The initiative aims to provide support for people affected by Islamophobia. The Minns Labor Government’s contribution will fund:

• a Report Islamophobia Support Line
• case management and support services for people impacted by Islamophobia
• advocacy and building awareness of how to report incidents
• community education, and training for police and other front-line services on how to respond to incidents.

This announcement comes as community organisations have reported an increase in Islamophobia in Australia in recent years.

This is despite waves of migration, including from Muslim communities, contributing immensely to the social fabric and growth of our state.

Research by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute has found that negative attitudes toward Muslims have remained at concerningly high levels across the last 10 years, with a particular rise since 2024.

The Action Against Islamophobia program is run by the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and aims to both combat Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate while supporting those who are subject to it.

Premier of New South Wales Chris Minns said:

“Naked racism and Islamophobia have no place in our state or our country and it is abhorrent that people perpetuate this sort of behaviour.

“Anecdotal evidence presented to me indicates that Islamophobia is far higher than what is reported, we don’t want Australians suffering in silence or enduring racism without help or support.

“We are proud to be partnering with the Australian National Imams Council to support those dealing with the trauma that Islamophobia causes.

“This program will play a critical role in providing support to those who have been affected by this hatred while also spreading awareness of the importance of rejecting racism in all its forms.”

Minister for Multiculturalism Steve Kamper said:

“NSW is one of the world’s most successful multicultural success stories and we need to call out racism when we see it.

“To safeguard our vibrant multiculturalism, we must ensure we’re putting the plans in place to stamp out hatred, like that faced by our Muslim community.

“Greater visibility and a broader understanding of this issue is extremely important – helping inform how we work towards eliminating this sort of bigotry.”

Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) President Imam Shadi Alsuleiman said:

“This rise in anti-Muslim hate has left many Muslims anxious about engaging in their daily religious activities, such as praying in mosques or leaving the house wearing the hijab.

“Islamophobia manifests itself in the community in several different ways, and we’ve seen an increase in micro aggressions that are often brushed off as ignorance or rude behaviour.

“Understanding how Muslims experience Islamophobia will help guide our approach to combatting the issue on a holistic level.”

Netball NSW has confirmed four major netball hubs across Greater Sydney will host the HART Senior and Junior State Titles until 2027, continuing the proud tradition of one of the state’s biggest grassroots sporting events.

“Netball NSW is delighted to partner with four local governments and four netball associations to deliver the annual State Titles. Since 1969 this event has grown into one of the largest sport competitions and stands as a true celebration of grassroots sport and the Netball NSW pathway,” Tracey Scott, CEO of Netball NSW said.

The HART Senior State Titles will take place from Saturday 6 to Monday 8 June in 2026 and is being co-hosted by the Baulkham Hills Shire Netball Association and the Penrith District Netball Association. The matches will be staged at Kellyville Netball Courts in The Hills Shire Council area and at Jamison Park Netball Complex in the Penrith City Council area.

This year, more than 3,500 registered players and officials competed across the 15U, 17U and Opens divisions and the event attracted around 7,000 spectators over three days. The event also demonstrated the growth in men’s netball with six male 17U teams competing and five All Abilities teams in the State Challenge.

“Over 10,000 participants, families and visitors swell the local area, which is really valuable not just for the economy, but for the whole netball ecosystem. Local businesses, restaurants and accommodation benefit from increased foot traffic and local juniors get to see high-level athletes in action, inspiring greater participation in our sport,” Stacy Harding, General Manager of Competitions at Netball NSW said.

The HART Junior State Titles will follow from Saturday 4 to Monday 6 July 2026. They will be co-hosted by the Camden District and Campbelltown Netball Associations at the Narellan Sports Hub in Camden and the Campbelltown Netball Complex. This premier development event in the Netball NSW pathway showcases players aged 12-14 years across four divisions, including the 14U Male Championship.

The 2025 tournament set a new record with 240 teams and 2,500 athletes from across NSW taking part. It was three action-packed days of elite junior competition, community spirit and netball magic, with more than 50,000 goals scored across 2,206 games.

Beyond the action on court, the State Titles deliver a significant tourism and economic boost for the host regions. Thousands of visitors fill hotels, dine in local cafes, shop in retail centres, and explore nearby attractions, injecting valuable revenue into local economies.

The event also fosters strong community connections, with local volunteers, businesses, and councils working together to create a welcoming and memorable experience for players, families, and fans from across the state.

Construction of the $658 million Sydney Children’s Hospital Stage One and Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre project has reached completion. This marks a major milestone in the hospital’s redevelopment, transforming paediatric care for children and their families across the state.

Minister for Health Ryan Park joined the Member for Coogee Dr Marjorie O’Neill to visit the new 12-storey building delivered as part of a more than $1.5 billion investment in health infrastructure within the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct.

The new building brings together leading clinicians, researchers and educators under one roof, with contemporary health facilities and spaces for families to connect while navigating their healthcare needs.

The new building will welcome patients and their families from late 2025, following an operational commissioning period.

The $658 million project includes:

• A new and enhanced children’s intensive care unit
• A new and larger children’s emergency department  
• Co-located laboratories to support the Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre’s research, education and training  
• A new medical short stay unit 
• A new neurosciences centre 
• A new virtual care centre and hospital command centre – KidsHQ
• Inpatient units for medical, surgical and sleep studies
• A day oncology centre and inpatient units, along with a dedicated bone marrow transplant unit
• A new children’s hospital pharmacy
• Improved family amenities, including single patient bedrooms with a carer bed and ensuite
• Indoor and outdoor recreational spaces for families to take a break from clinical settings
• Education, training and clinical simulation spaces.
• New playground and pet visiting space

In a first for Australia, childhood cancer research and the clinical care of children with cancer will integrate into one paediatric facility, accelerating the translation of research discovery into improved clinical practice.

The Minderoo Children’s Comprehensive Cancer Centre will be housed within the new hospital building and adjacent UNSW Health Translation Hub.

The Centre will include advanced laboratory spaces and deliver integrated, specialist cancer treatment, education and research programs, with this aim to transform childhood cancer treatment and become one of the world’s leading paediatric cancer centres.

The new building will also enable significant enhancement of paediatric neurology services, with the top floor dedicated to a new Neuroscience Comprehensive Care and Research Centre, providing integrated specialist services to improve the care and treatment of children with a range of neurological conditions. 

This project has been delivered by NSW Health Infrastructure in partnership with the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and Children’s Cancer Institute, with John Holland as principal contractor.  

Almost 1.95 million construction hours have been worked throughout the life of the project, which will also enable a pipeline for 500 roles within paediatrics across the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct.

The 2025-26 Budget confirmed a $12.4 billion investment over four years for health infrastructure to continue building a modern, resilient health system that meets both current needs and future demand. This includes the NSW Government’s announcement of $11.25 million to support the planning of upgrades to the Royal Hospital for Women, further investing in the Randwick Health and Innovation Precinct.

For more information on the new children’s hospital and research centre and other Randwick Campus Redevelopment projects, visit www.nsw.gov.au/randwick-campus-redevelopment.

Minister for Health Ryan Park:

“I’m delighted to see first-hand the completion of this state-of-the-art paediatric health facility designed to transform children’s care in this state for generations to come.

“The new building will bring together clinicians, researchers and educators in one place, which will significantly improve health outcomes for children and their families.

“The upgraded health facilities will attract clinicians, professionals and academics, support employment, drive innovation and productivity, and support to generate strong economic benefits for the community.”

Member for Coogee:

“I’m proud to be part of a government which is strengthening paediatric health care, research and innovation, which will be a game-changer for the local community and beyond.

“The new paediatric hospital has been designed to support families during their toughest times, including more single-patient rooms, family-friendly zones, play areas, and a pet-friendly zone to provide a welcoming environment and promote healing.

“It has been so exciting to watch the new children’s hospital and research centre come to life, which has involved more than 1,000 children, parents, carers and staff providing input throughout the planning of the new building, shaping the design of welcoming, home-like spaces that promote health and wellbeing, family togetherness, and patient-centred care.”

Cathryn Cox PSM, Chief Executive, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network:  

“Since 2020, we have been planning with our staff, families and community to reimagine our hospital environment.

“The modern facilities, technology and equipment will give us room to grow, tailor care to improve health outcomes, and respond to the state’s evolving paediatric healthcare needs.

“This is an exciting moment for our Network, as we move into a facility that matches the world class care our clinicians provide every day to some of the sickest children in the state.”

A new $3.8 million swimming spot is on the way for the Bay Run with a development application lodged and the NSW Government and Inner West Council finalising a funding agreement and signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

The MoU outlines how both levels of government will work together to develop the Callan Park Tidal Baths which are expected to make a splash, at the Iron Cove foreshore.

The Minns Labor Government has committed $2 million to help deliver the project, which was first identified in the Parramatta River Masterplan, prepared by the Parramatta River Catchment Group in 2018.

The new swim spot set to offer a spot for a dip along the Bay Run will also benefit users of nearby parks and sports fields such as Leichhardt Oval and King George Park. This location will make sure the investment can be enjoyed by the Inner West community and beyond, including swimmers, pedestrians, joggers, cyclists and families.

Designs for the tidal baths include an accessible pathway and ramp, a generous fixed jetty, pontoon and shark net.

Following approval construction is expected to take six months, allowing the Baths to be open for the summer in 2026.

Greater Sydney Parklands is preparing a Callan Park Foreshore Master Plan to support integration of the swim site with the waterfront areas of Callan Park which will be shared for community consultation in the coming months.

For more information on the Callan Park Tidal baths visit the Inner West Council website.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We made a commitment to deliver a swim site in Sydney’s Inner West and this MoU plunges us to the next stage of the project.

“The iconic Bay Run and surrounding parklands are already a community hub for family fun, sport, relaxation and exercise, so adding a swim spot where people can cool off in summer will be the perfect addition to an already thriving public space.

“This $2 million commitment is in addition to the $4.8 million the Minns Labor Government committed in the Budget to demolishing derelict buildings and return 1.6 hectares of parkland.”

Member for Summer Hill Jo Haylen said:

“This is great news for the Inner West because we’re closer than ever to having a free spot to take a dip in, to take the edge off summer heat without having to travel out of our local neighbourhood.

“We look forward to working with Inner West Council to develop this project so we can enhance this Callan Park for the enjoyment of the whole community.”

Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne said:

“The Callan Park Tidal Baths will be a spectacular addition to the Bay Run which is already one of the best used recreation facilities in Sydney.

“This swim site in the next step in incredible rehabilitation of the Parramatta River and will attract swimmers’ and families from all over the Inner West to take a dip in Callan Park.”

Greater Sydney Parklands Chief Executive, Joshua French said:

“Callan Park holds a special place in the hearts of the community who want to see the park reach its full potential.

“The Callan Park swim site will continue our foreshore improvement program and will be a place for families and visitors to enjoy the waterside location and relax on the beautiful foreshore.”

Lismore’s long-term recovery from the devastating floods of early 2022 has taken an important step forward, with a contract awarded to a joint venture between CMC Group and JF Hull Holdings for the region’s largest road restoration package.

The major construction contract will enable critical repairs to restore roads from more than 60 landslips, improving reliability and reconnecting towns.

This marks a key milestone in restoring essential transport links across the Lismore region, with more than 50 road and transport infrastructure projects already completed, and almost 140 other projects currently in progress or under development.

Some projects have experienced delays or faced further damage due to the severe weather brought by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March 2025.

Work will be staggered over three years to reduce impacts on local communities and make full use of a locally based workforce from the Lismore local government area.

Jointly funded by the Commonwealth and NSW Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), the permanent repairs are now underway, with the reconstruction projects giving communities confidence in the safety, reliability, and resilience of their roads for decades to come.

Additionally, close to $17 million in new funding is being provided to Lismore City Council to help restore its road infrastructure and make it more resilient against future flooding.

Through the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package (RRTRP) and Essential Public Asset Reconstruction funding under the DRFA, several causeways across the region will be replaced to withstand future floods and improve road resilience.

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain:

“This contract is an important step in Lismore’s recovery journey, delivering critical repairs that the community has been waiting for since the 2022 floods.

“By investing in resilience, we are not just fixing what is broken – but we’re building back better to protect local residents from future flood events.

“The focus on local workforce and staged construction outlines the commitment from the Australian and New South Wales Governments to support the Lismore region’s economic and overall recovery whilst minimising disruption to residents.

“I would like to commend everyone that has been affected by the devastating natural disasters that have impacted the Lismore community for their strength, resilience and commitment to supporting each other in getting through difficult times.”

Minister for Recovery and North Coast and State Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin:

“The Lismore region is getting its old mojo back, as we step up our rebuild with some great new developments.

“Our mission as we build back and emerge from recovery is to be improving the resilience of our infrastructure as we go.

“This announcement means we can invest in our roads so that they are better able to withstand the weather events of the future.”

Minister for Roads and Regional Transport, Jenny Aitchison:

“The Minns Labor Government has quadrupled disaster recovery funding, from $190 million a year under the previous government, to an average of more than $800 million a year.

“We know landslips across the Lismore local government area had a massive impact on residents immediately after the flood and this contract to repair a further 60 landslips will keep up the momentum for action.

“Our objective has been to speed up support to councils dealing with disaster damaged roads.

“Together with the Albanese Labor Government, the vital $2.2 million investment under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements is rebuilding and reconnecting the Lismore community.”

Lismore City Mayor Steve Krieg:

“We’ve come a long way already and there’s still more work to do. These projects will reconnect villages and support our local economy.

“Lismore is not just rebuilding – we are rising.”

Access to holistic diabetes care is set to improve for Lower Mid North Coast communities with the new Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+) Medibus visiting Forster and Taree this week.

The custom-built Medibus is a fully equipped mobile health clinic which brings a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including an endocrinologist, diabetes educator, Aboriginal health worker, and podiatrist.

The clinical team will support patients directly and up-skill local general practitioners (GPs), nurses, and allied health professionals to provide gold-standard diabetes care within the primary care sector.

Diabetes remains one of the most critical health challenges for the Hunter and New England region, with an estimated one in eight people living with the condition, and many more undiagnosed.

If left unmanaged, diabetes can result in serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness, amputations, and premature death.

Diabetes disproportionately impacts those living in low socio-economic communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who are three times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

The service is fully booked for this visit, however the Medibus will return to the Lower Mid North Coast in November. Access to the Medibus is via your GP or a local healthcare provider.

The Medibus is an initiative of the Diabetes Alliance Program Plus (DAP+), first established in 2015 by Hunter New England Local Health District and the Hunter New England and Central Coast Primary Health Network.

In 2023, a five-year, $12.4 million donation from the Colonial Foundation enabled the program to expand. This included welcoming new partners, including the Hunter Medical Research Institute and the University of Newcastle, to lead innovative research and evaluate the program’s impact on patient outcomes and the broader health system.

Further information can be found on the dapplus.org website.

Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:

“The DAP+ MediBus is exactly the kind of healthcare innovation our regional communities need.

“By bringing specialist diabetes care close to people’s home we are ensuring everyone, regardless of where they live, can access the support and care they need to manage diabetes.

“Everyone deserves equitable access to expert, evidence-based health care. This initiative is delivering tailored, best practice diabetes management directly to regional communities and I’m proud to see the mobile clinic visiting Forster and Taree locals this week.”

Minister for the Hunter, Yasmin Catley:

“When we announced the Medibus rollout across the Hunter earlier this year, I was excited to see lifesaving healthcare travelling to people who might otherwise struggle to access the support they need.

“Our goal is to make it easier for people to get the care they need without the stress or burden of travelling long distances, especially in regional and rural areas.

“Diabetes can lead to serious complications, so we’re making it easier for people to seek help early. We’re looking forward to seeing the Medibus reach even more communities across the Hunter later this year.”

Labor spokesperson for Myall Lakes, Emily Suvaal:

“I’m very happy to see the Medibus visiting our area and bringing expert, evidence-based diabetes care to those who need it most.

“Diabetes is a significant health challenge for many people in our region, and timely access to care is vital.”

Hunter New England Local Health District, DAP+ Implementation Manager, Morag Joseph:

“Our aim is to increase awareness of diabetes and work alongside local health professionals in Forster and Taree, so that patients can receive the best possible care, now and into the future.”

Remarkable, an initiative of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance aimed at empowering Disability Tech innovators, is just one of 13 organisations the Minns Labor Government will support as part of the latest round of the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program.

$400,000 in funding will go towards delivering a range of innovation-themed events and initiatives over the coming months including pitch nights, hackathons, and tech summits, as well as projects that have the potential to lead to the creation of new businesses and attract investment in target areas.

The first of these initiatives will take place tonight with a UNSW Founders Pitch night in Southwest Sydney.

Other initiatives will follow all over the state, with a report and forum zeroing-in on the gender funding gap hosted at Tech Central, a medtech and health innovation workshop in Wagga Wagga, and the Remarkable Disability Tech Summit 2025 at Sydney Town Hall.

The Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program boosts collaboration and partnerships across the innovation ecosystem, delivering a key action in the Innovation Blueprint 2035, with the latest funding round delivering a diverse mix of activities across Sydney and regional NSW.

Applications opened earlier this year, with a record number received.

In line with the Minns Labor Government’s strategic, whole-of-government approach to its Industry and Innovation policy frameworks, the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program supported initiatives that aligned with the Innovation Blueprint 2035, along with the Housing, Net Zero and Local Manufacturing priorities of the NSW Industry Policy.

This consistent strategic vision demonstrates how the Minns Labor Government is committed to building a better NSW with a thriving innovation ecosystem, so businesses can create more economic and social opportunities for our people and help tackle the state’s most important challenges. 

For more information on the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program visit the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program web page. 

Minister for Innovation, Science and Technology Anoulack Chanthivong said:

“Innovation in tech, housing, and manufacturing is one of the top priorities of the Minns Labor Government.

“Collaboration is key to delivering a more prosperous innovation ecosystem, and through the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program, we’re ensuring entrepreneurs and startups at various stages of growth can connect, learn, and develop.

“Our strongest assets are our people, and it’s through collaborative initiatives where ideas flourish, and connections and partnerships are made.

“This is another step the Minns Labor Government is taking to bring our Innovation Blueprint to life which is helping to cement NSW as the innovation powerhouse of the nation.”

Remarkable (Cerebral Palsy Alliance) Founder Pete Horsley said:

“The Remarkable Disability Tech Summit 2025 represents a pivotal moment where we can lead the world in ensuring AI and emerging technologies are designed inclusively from the ground up.

“With over 1 billion people globally needing assistive technology and less than 10% having access to what they need, we’re not just talking about closing gaps – we’re talking about unlocking a US$1.9 trillion opportunity for innovation and economic growth.

“Remarkable is part of the Cerebral Palsy Alliance and with Investment NSW’s support through the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program, we’re bringing together the global tech leaders, researchers, and decision-makers to actively re-wire the future of disability tech.”

UNSW Founders Program Manager Julie Pham said:

“We are grateful for the support provided by the Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program.

“This funding enables us to expand Pitch Night South West supporting diverse, early-stage founders in one of the state’s most dynamic growth regions – and deliver the MedTech Innovation Workshop in Wagga Wagga to help regional innovators translate ideas into real-world health solutions.

“Investment NSW’s commitment to backing diverse and regionally focused innovation is instrumental in strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem across NSW.”

Fostering Innovation Sponsorship Program – Round 3 Recipients

Netball NSW is celebrating the selection of four of its brightest young stars in the Australian 21/U Team to contest the 2025 Netball World Youth Cup, announced today by Netball Australia.

Named in the 12-strong national team are Frederika Schneideman (NSW Swifts Training Partner), Hope White (GIANTS Netball), and Grace Whyte (NSW Swifts), who will all make their debut wearing the green and gold for Australia, along with reserve Monika ‘Otai (GIANTS Netball).

Netball NSW General Manager of Performance and Pathways, Mardi Aplin, said the selection was a proud moment for the state.

“To have four athletes in this team – each with such unique journeys – is a credit to their hard work and to the strength of our pathway. We’re thrilled to see them take on the world stage and know they’ll inspire the next generation back home.”

Frederika “Freddie” Schneideman – GD/GK
A Randwick junior, Schneideman rose through the Netball NSW Pathway and QBE Swifts Academy, starring for ERNA Hawks in Premier League. She was named MVP at the 2024 19/U National Netball Championships, which NSW won, and gained her first Suncorp Super Netball experience in 2025 as a Temporary Replacement Player for the Swifts.

“She is a formidable defence who reads the game perfectly. After an amazing performance in 2024 at the National Netball tournament she was awarded player of the tournament and has always been nationally identified as an underage athlete,” said Aplin.

Hope White – WA/C
Originally from Maitland, White developed her game playing at Newcastle Netball Association. She is a GIANTS Academy product whose sharp playmaking earned her a spot as a permanent replacement player in 2025. She was named MVP of the 2024 19/U National Championships Grand Final at only 17 and has impressed at both state and Super Netball level with her dynamic attacking game.

“This year she was elevated into a full-time contract with the Giants. She’s a really strong and dynamic mid-court wing attack and her vision into the circle is next-level. The commitment, dedication and endless hours driving to Sydney for training has been rewarded with this selection,” Aplin said.

Grace Whyte – GA/WA
Hailing from Tumut in the Riverina, Whyte’s talent was first spotted at a 17/U regional trial in Wagga Wagga. A dual basketball and netball representative for NSW as a teenager, she joined the QBE Swifts Academy in 2022, debuting for the Swifts in 2024, to then be selected as the 11th player the following year and becoming a regular during the season. Her rise has been marked by flair, athleticism and a competitive edge that saw her win multiple national tournament MVP awards.

“I saw Grace out at a regional trial for 17U state team in Wagga Wagga,” recalls Aplin. “She was this really amazing athlete with lots of flair.

Monika ‘Otai – GS/GA (Reserve)
A Tongan heritage shooter and GIANTS Academy graduate, ‘Otai is regarded as one of Australian netball’s most exciting young prospects. After starring in 2024 as a first-time training partner, she toured Fiji with the Australian 21/U squad in preparation for the World Youth Cup.

“Monika is an amazing athlete that is strong under the post and her movement and long range shot sets her apart from others. A St George District junior, she has been captain of multiple teams, and made her debut for Giants this year,” Aplin said.

Australia will head to Gibraltar in September aiming to reclaim the world title in a tournament featuring 20 nations over ten days. The 2025 Netball World Youth Cup will run from Friday 19 to Sunday 28 September 2025.