You have the power to take charge of your data this Data Privacy Week
Data Privacy Week is taking place from 27 to 31 January 2025. Its purpose is to promote awareness about the importance of privacy and ways to protect your personal information.
In line with this purpose, the Information and Privacy Commission NSW has released some tips to help you protect your privacy:
- Store documents such as passports, driving licences, pay slips, tax returns, bank statements and bills in a safe place
- Shred or destroy personal documents you are throwing away such as bills, receipts, credit card statements and other documents that show your name, address or other personal details
- If you need to post personal documents, ask the post office for advice on the most secure method
- Limit the number of documents you carry around on you. Don’t leave personal documents in your vehicle or unattended
- Check your bank and credit card statements for unusual transactions
- Always use a different password and PIN for different accounts and take care when using public computers to access personal information
- Regularly check your records. Make sure your information is correct and up to date.
For more information, see the Media release.
National Student Ombudsman to commence in February
A new National Student Ombudsman (NSO) will commence operations on 1 February 2025.
The NSO will sit within the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman and handle complaints from university students.
For more information, see the NSO website.
The NSO won't handle complaints from TAFE students or university staff- the NSW Ombudsman will continue to hear these complaints.
For more information, see the Media release.
Supporting workers in closing power stations
The Australian Government is providing support to workers affected by the closure of coal-fired or gas-fired power stations.
Affected workers can contact:
- Net Zero Economy Authority
- Fair Work Commission
- Fair Work Ombudsman.
For more information, see the Media release.
Off the plan contract laws under review to provide greater certainty to buyers
The NSW Government is seeking feedback from the community regarding strengthening protections for consumers in off the plan contracts for homes and land.
The consultation is open until 7 March 2025.
To have your say, visit: Have your say Off the plan contracts and covenants laws under review.
For more information, see the Media release.
New disaster support for nine more regions after severe storms
Disaster recovery support has been extended to include communities in the Blacktown, Cessnock, Dungog, Hawkesbury, Lake Macquarie, Mid Coast, Northern Beaches, Singleton, and Upper Hunter (LGAs) following severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall that impacted the regions from 15 January 2025.
Assistance is available for eligible residents, including:
- help to meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation
- grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items and undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
For more information, see the Media release.
Disaster support for Port Stephens, Maitland, and the Snowy Valleys after severe storms
A disaster declaration has been made for the Maitland, Port Stephens, and Snowy Valleys Local Government Areas (LGAs) following severe thunderstorms and intense rainfall that impacted the regions between January 15 and January 17.
Assistance is available for eligible residents, including:
- help to meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation
- grants for low income, uninsured residents to replace lost essential household items and undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a safe and habitable condition.
For more information, see the Media release.
One million safe drivers rewarded with a demerit point removed
One million drivers will have a demerit point removed from their driving record for remaining offence-free in the last 12 months under the demerit point reward scheme.
The scheme will continue for another year, ending on 31 January 2026. It is open to eligible unrestricted and professional licence holders with active demerit points.
For more information, see the Media release.
Ban on importation of engineered stone products
On 1 January 2025, a national ban on the importation of engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels with silica content of more than one percent commenced.
This ban aims to safeguard workers from the incurable illness silicosis, a lung disease caused by respirable crystalline silica. Silicosis is caused by items with a high silica content such as engineered stone.
For more information, see the Media release.
New criminal underpayment laws have started
From 1 January 2025, intentionally underpaying an employee's wages or entitlements can be a criminal offence. Penalties for a conviction include fines, imprisonment, or both.
The Fair Work Ombudsman can investigate alleged underpayment offences and refer matters for criminal prosecution.
For more information, see the Media release.
Work begins on new refuge for women and children fleeing domestic violence in Newcastle LGA
Construction has begun on a nine self-contained unit refuge complex for women and children in Newcastle. The complex will have a central hub of on-site support services to help victim-survivors rebuild their lives and heal from trauma, including:
- counselling
- legal assistance
- education and employment support, and
- a yarning space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
For more information, see the Media release.
70 new units in Tweed Shire to help combat homelessness
A vacant retirement village in the Northern Rivers will be transformed into 70 supported temporary accommodation units to help combat homelessness. The accommodation will provide vulnerable community members with a safe place to stay and wraparound support to help them get back on their feet.
For more information, see the Media release.
Consumer warning as NSW Fair Trading odometer tampering crackdown fines 28 sellers in one month
Used-car buyers are being urged to check a vehicle’s history before purchase to ensure that it is free from finance, has not been written off in a crash, and has accurate odometer readings. The NSW Government's free vehicle registration check gives prospective buyers of a NSW-registered vehicle’s previous three annual odometer readings, as well as basic details like vehicle make, registration and insurance history.
For more information, see the Media release.
NSW pet laws go under the microscope
The NSW Government is seeking feedback from pet owners and the general public to help shape cat and dog laws in NSW. The current laws are being reviewed to provide greater support for responsible pet ownership, and ensure the wellbeing of pets and the safety of communities. The review will cover all aspects of the care and management of companion animals in NSW.
To provide feedback, visit the website of the Office of Local Government.
For more information, see the Media release.
A ‘purr’-fect digital home for cats and dogs
The new and improved digital NSW Pet Registry is now operational, allowing pet owners to register their pet, change their address, reporting a missing pet, and keeping track of key events in their pet’s life. The registry also provides instant online transfer of ownership, and real-time email or SMS reminders for desexing. It can be accessed using a Service NSW login.
For more information, see the Media release.
NSW Government cracks down on antisemitism and other hatred as three new bills pass Parliament
Three new bills have passed parliament designed to ensure the community is protected from racial hatred, offensive Nazi symbols, and desecration and harassment at places of worship. They include:
- Crimes Legislation Amendment (Racial and Religious Hatred) Bill 2025
- Crimes Amendment (Places of Worship) Bill 2025, and
- Crimes Amendment (Inciting Racial Hatred) Bill 2025.
The new laws make it a crime to:
- intentionally block, impede or hinder a person from accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship without a reasonable excuse
- harass, intimidate or threaten a person accessing or leaving, or attempting to access or leave, a place of worship
- intentionally and publicly incite hatred towards another person, or group of people, on the grounds of race.
For more information, see the Media release.
Men’s behaviour change program expanded
Men’s Behaviour Change Programs are being expanded across NSW and rolled out across an additional seven locations, including:
- Nowra, Shoalhaven LGA - Anglicare
- Ulladulla, Shoalhaven LGA - Anglicare
- Forster, Mid-Coast LGA – Manning Support Services
- Gloucester, Mid-Coast LGA – Manning Support Services
- Lithgow, Lithgow LGA – Plus Community
- Blacktown, Blacktown LGA – Relationships Australia
- Maitland, Maitland LGA – Relationships Australia.
These evidence-based group programs and services focus on working with perpetrators of domestic and family violence to reduce or prevent the recurrence of abusive behaviour by a perpetrator towards a partner or family member.
For more information, see the Media release.
New strata laws ensure fairer rules for fees and charges
New laws have passed Parliament that improve the way strata communities operate.
The new laws will:
- help owners repair and maintain common property
- require owners corporations to offer a payment plan before taking debt recovery action
- prohibit blanket rules refusing payment plans
- make it easier to install accessibility infrastructure in common areas by lowering the voting threshold for approval from 75% to a majority vote.
For more information, see the Media release.
SafeWork NSW to become a standalone regulator
The NSW Government is set to introduce a bill into the NSW Parliament to make SafeWork NSW a standalone regulator. A new SafeWork Commissioner will be appointed to lead the agency and be given the authority to enforce compliance with work place laws, promote best practices and engage meaningfully with workers, unions and businesses across all industries in NSW.
For more information, see the Media release.
Government introduces bill to extend strict bail test for young people
The NSW Government has introduced a bill to extend the strict bail test that applies to young people accused of stealing cars and breaking into homes, amid ongoing concerns about youth crime. The test, which applies to young people aged between 14 and 18 who are charged with certain car theft or serious break and enter offences while on bail for another offence of that type, was due to end operation on 4 April 2025. However, under the legislation that has been introduced this will be extended for three years to April 2028.
For more information, see the Media release.
Court Dog Program expands to Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle registries
Three new dogs will join the Sydney, Parramatta and Newcastle registries as the Court Dog Program expands in NSW. The dogs will be expertly trained and supplied by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT to provide emotional support and comfort to vulnerable court users. They will commence their duties in 2025.
For more information, see the Media release.
Reminder about changes to casual employment rules
From 26 February 2025, eligible casuals can provide written notice to their employer that they want to change to full-time or part-time employment under the new employee choice pathway. An employer can only refuse to make an employee a permanent employee for certain reasons.
For more information, see the Media release.
Information published about unfair deactivation and other new functions
The Fair Work Commission can now deal with disputes about:
- unfair deactivation and unfair termination of regulated workers, and
- changing from casual to full-time or part-time employment under the new employee choice pathway.
Information about these types of disputes, including the new forms to make a complaint, have been published on the Fair Work Commission website.
For more information, see the Media release.
Better access to justice for remote and regional areas
The Australian Government has provided additional funding to the new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) to enable the ART to conduct hearings in regional and remote communities around Australia. This will allow people from regional and remote communities to deal directly with the ART, instead of having to attend hearings by video or telephone or travel great distances to capital city registries to appear in person.
For more information, see the Media release.
Ombudsman investigation into the Targeted Compliance Framework
The Commonwealth Ombudsman has launched an investigation into the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and Services Australia's cancellation of income support payments under the Targeted Compliance Framework (TCF). The investigation was launched after a report was made to the Ombudsman by the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) that income support payments may have been cancelled unlawfully or inappropriately under the TCF. The Ombudsman will now examine the TCF to determine if cancellation decisions are being made and implemented in a manner that is lawful, fair and reasonable.
The Ombudsman will deliver a report at the conclusion of the investigation.
For more information, see the Media release.
Tougher laws against antisemitism and hatred in NSW
The NSW Government has announced new measures to crack down on a recent escalation of troubling graffiti, racial hatred and antisemitism in the community.
These measures include:
- a new offence for intentionally inciting racial hatred, with a maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment
- 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 a maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment
- expanding the aggravating circumstances that the court considers during sentencing for an offence that is partially or wholly motivated by hatred or prejudice
- amending the Graffiti Control Act 2008 to create an aggravated offence for graffiti on a place of worship
- 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, with a maximum penalty of 2 years’ imprisonment.
For more information, see the Media release.
More than $2 million in additional funding for Moree as Youth Justice NSW marks milestones
More than $2 million in additional funding will help tackle offending and support young people in the town of Moree.
This fund will be used to create a new youth bail accommodation centre and after-hours patrols. The accommodation centre will be managed by three local Aboriginal organisations, Miyay Birray Youth Service, Pius X Aboriginal Medical Service, and SHAE Academy. It will:
- give the police and court more options to supervise young people on bail, to help prevent them re-offending while proceedings are ongoing, and
- provide culturally appropriate support services.
Additional funding has also been provided for:
- Safe Aboriginal Youth (SAY) program - a safe transport and outreach service for young Aboriginal people who are on the streets late at night
- Casework Support Program (CSP) - this program program helps young people meet practical needs and goals as part of their case plan, such as enrolling in education, getting ID, finding work, applying for Centrelink payments, and other essential activities.
For more information, see the Media release.
Government releases draft legislation to protect gig workers
The NSW Government is looking to modernise the NSW Industrial Relations Act to protect gig workers and other precarious workers in the transport sector.
The proposed changes will:
- give gig workers the same legal protections already offered to owner driver truck drivers, couriers and taxi drivers
- allow platform companies, employers and unions to apply to the Industrial Relations Commission for binding determinations on the workers’ pay and conditions of employment.
For more information, see the Media release.
NSW Rental Taskforce to tackle fairness in rental market
A new Rental Taskforce has been established within NSW Fair Trading to hold landlords and real estate agents to account, and will address rental law violations.
The Rental Taskforce will focus on:
- ending solicited rent bidding
- implementing renting reforms to prevent no grounds evictions
- ensuring improved responses to repairs and maintenance in the rental market.
For more information, see the Media release.
Bathurst refuge expanded to support more women and children escaping domestic violence
Three new emergency refuge units have opened at The Orchard in Bathurst, which will provide accommodation to more than 30 women and children fleeing abusive relationships each year. The self-contained accommodation is located next to a 'core’ of support services such as counselling, legal assistance, education, and employment support. This will provide victim-survivors with safe and secure accommodation and tailored on-site support to rebuild their lives and heal from trauma.
For more information, see the Media release.
More help on the way for the Mid-North Coast and North Coast following Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
The NSW Reconstruction Authority will launch three new Community Outreach services next week to ensure communities on the Mid North Coast and in Northern NSW continue to get the help they need after Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Services available at the Community Outreach points include help with the NSW Government’s Personal Hardship Assistance Payment and general recovery support.
For more information, see the Media release.
Albanese Government bolsters fight against child sexual exploitation online
The Albanese Government is stepping up the fight against child sexual exploitation and other serious online harms by strengthening collaboration between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the eSafety Commissioner.
A strengthening of the 2020 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will improve information sharing between the AFP and eSafety, enabling the agencies to work together to more effectively respond to tackling sexual extortion and the promotion of terrorist and violent extremist material.
For more information, see the Media release.
$200,000 to support health services for the homeless
The Minns Labor Government has announced $200,000 in funding to support the expansion of healthcare services for people who are experiencing homelessness.
The investment will support charity Street Side Medics whose mission is to improve access to primary healthcare for homeless communities in Australia. The one-off grant will fund the organisation to provide health-related services to people experiencing homelessness and continue to expand their service within the Illawarra Shoalhaven and Hunter New England regions.
For more information, see the Media release.
Extension of strict bail laws for young people
The NSW Government has extended the operation of section 22C of the Bail Act 2013.
The law restricts bail for young people aged between 14 and 18 if they are charged with certain car theft or serious break and enter offences while already on bail for the same type of offence. It requires a judicial officer to refuse bail unless they have a “high degree of confidence the young person will not commit a serious indictable offence while on bail.”
For more information, see the Media release.
Laws strengthened to tackle road toll on NSW roads
A bill has been introduced into NSW Parliament that will allow blood and urine samples to be taken from a driver or rider if they have been involved in a crash that results in grievous bodily harm. These samples will be tested for both drugs and alcohol.
The current laws allow for mandatory drug and alcohol testing of all drivers involved in fatal crashes.
For more information, see the Media release.
AFCA welcomes changes to authorisation conditions
The Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services has approved a change to the conditions of AFCA’s authorisation to enable it to investigate and consider the actions of receiving banks in scam complaints. The change will come into effect in 12 months’ time and give AFCA the jurisdiction to look at the actions of a “receiving bank”, where the proceeds of a scam are transferred. Currently, AFCA can only consider the actions of the bank that has the direct customer relationship with the person or entity who has lodged a complaint.
For more information, see the Media release.
Seminar: Applying for Awards by Consent – filing the required information
Commissioner McDonald and Commissioner Muir are holding a seminar covering the issues you must address when applying to the Commission for a new award or for a variation of an award, in particular when applying by consent. The seminar will be held both in-person (with limited seating) in Court 4.1 of the Chief Secretary’s Building, 47 Bridge Street, Sydney and online at 5.00pm on Wednesday, 9 April 2025.
For more information, see the Media release.
No place for workplace sexual harassment
The Fair Work Ombudsman is reminding workers and employers that sexual harassment in workplaces is unlawful and can lead to serious consequences for individuals.
Workers and employers are encouraged to access information about sexual harassment on the Fair Work Ombudsman’s website, which includes examples of harassment, case studies, and specific information for those who seek to make a complaint. It also includes information on support services, including 1800RESPECT, the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.
For more information, see the Media release.
New police wanding powers tackling knife crime across the state
More than 90 dangerous weapons seized from NSW streets and 67 people have been charged with 71 weapons offences since the NSW Police Force began wanding operations in December. Some of these weapons include knives, tasers, sling shots, knuckle dusters, machetes and folding kitchen knives.
Under Operation Ares, officers are using handheld scanners or electronic metal detecting ‘wands’ to scan individuals within a designated area for dangerous weapons. The designated areas include Sydney CBD, Liverpool, Campbelltown, Blacktown, Mt Druitt, Parramatta, Newcastle, Coffs Harbour, Dubbo, Wollongong, Wagga Wagga, Nowra, Bomaderry, Albury and Lavington.
For more information, see the Media release.
Workers Compensation Ministerial Statement
The NSW Government will soon introduce new bills to Parliament to reform the states workplace health and safety and workers' compensation laws to deal with psychological injuries.
The new bills will:
- give workers the right to call out a psychological hazard before an injury takes place
- define psychological injury
- adopt some of the anti-fraud measures recently introduced by the Commonwealth to protect the National Disability Insurance Scheme
- implement many of the recommendations Robert McDougall made in his independent review of Safe Work NSW, as well as recommendations from the State Insurance Regulatory Authority and the Law and Justice Committee.
For more information, see the Media release.
NSW Government to crack down on practice of ‘claim farming’
The NSW Government will introduce legislation to crack down on the predatory practice of ‘claim farming’, where vulnerable people are pressured to lodge compensation claims.
The Claim Farming Practices Prohibition Bill 2025 will:
- prohibit a person from contacting another person to solicit them to make a relevant claim
- prohibit a person from buying or selling a relevant claim referral
- prevent lawyers who are convicted of these offences from charging legal costs in relation to the claim, and to require them to refund any costs already received.
Existing offences, such as fraud, will still apply in addition to the claim farming bill.
For more information, see the Media release.
Automatic Mutual Recognition expanded in NSW
New laws have been passed in NSW expanding Automatic Mutual Recognition (AMR) to more industries.
From 1 July 2025, conveyancers, real estate and property agents, and automotive industry workers from interstate will be allowed to work in NSW without having to get a separate NSW licence.
AMR facilitates workers moving between states by reducing red tape and removing the need to apply and pay for another professional licence.
For more information, see the Media release.
Government introduces new laws to protect gig workers and owner drivers in the road transport sector
The NSW Government is introducing legislation this week to provide greater protections for transport gig workers as well as modernise the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act that apply to the road transport industry. The legislation will allow transport gig workers to access the same legal protections currently offered to owner driver truck drivers, couriers and taxi drivers. It will allow eligible transport workers and their representative to apply to the NSW IRC to have contract determinations or agreements that will regulate their pay and conditions
For more information, see the Media release.
Consumers urged to check it or forget it following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
Landlords and homeowners arranging repairs or building work following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred are being warned against accepting unsolicited offers of repairs from people who may be posing as builders or other tradespeople.
Before engaging a tradesperson, customers should:
- Check their licence via the Service NSW website
- Ask for references and examples of previous work
- Review the Step by step guide to choosing the right tradesperson or builder on the NSW Building Commission website
- Clarify what is and isn’t included in the contract
- Confirm whether subcontractors will be involved in the project
- Check when Home Building Compensation insurance is required on the State Insurance Regulatory Authority website.
Tenants should notify their landlord or property manager of any damage to their home as soon as possible.
For more information, see the Media release.
App-ealing features boost Service NSW accessibility, security and functionality
The Service NSW app has a number of new features:
- Service NSW Centre Finder - allowing people to find their nearest Service NSW centre
- Digital wallet update - allowing people see all their licences on one screen
- Voucher sharing - allowing families to share their Active and Creative Kids voucher
- allowing people to update their personal details via the app
- Multi-factor Authentication Push Notifications.
For more information, see the Media release.
Operator for the state’s first Migrant Workers Centre locked-in
The NSW Government will establish the first standalone centre to help prevent the exploitation of migrant workers. The centre will partner with organisations such as the Immigration Advice and Rights Centre (IARC) to deliver support for at-risk workers that is culturally sensitive and accessible. It will provide migrant workers across the state with workplace, work health and safety, and immigration advice.
For more information, see the Media release.
Safe Aboriginal Youth program expanding in Dubbo
Oyster Tribe has been selected to deliver the Safe Aboriginal Youth (SAY) program in Dubbo for the next five years. The NSW Government is expanding SAY to four more regional locations in addition to existing services in Bourke, Kempsey, Newcastle, Taree, Dubbo and Wilcannia.
For more information, see the Media release.
New Safe Aboriginal Youth program for Tamworth
Winanga-Li has been selected to deliver the Safe Aboriginal Youth (SAY) program in Tamworth for the next four years.
SAY is a community-based service that provides supervised activities and safe transport for Aboriginal young people aged 12 to 18 years, helping them to stay safe after dark. It is designed to divert young people away from harmful activities and reduce the risk of them becoming involved in criminal activity or the victims of crime.
For more information, see the Media release.
NSW Government’s Rental Taskforce intervention results in almost $50,000 in refunds for renters
In October 2024, new laws came into force banning landlords from making rental applicants pay for background checks before or when entering into a tenancy. Since then, the NSW Government’s Rental Taskforce has conducted an investigation into incorrect charges for rental background checks resulting in almost $50,000 being returned to renters.
Any rental applicants who have been charged for a background check since October can lodge a complaint with NSW Fair Trading.
For more information, see the Media release.
Government delivers on rental reform by ending no grounds evictions on 19 May 2025
On 19 May 2025, new rental laws will come into force. Under the new laws:
- property owners will now have to provide a valid reason to end a lease
- tenants who find a new property after receiving an eviction notice will have improved rights to end their tenancy early
- tenants will be able to apply to keep a pet in their rental home, with owners only able to refuse for specific reasons, such as the owner living at the property or failure to comply with local council laws
- tenants will have access to fee free rent payment options, such as direct bank transfer.
For more information, see the Media release.
Australian Human Rights Commission observes International Day to Combat Islamophobia
On 15 March 2025, the Australian Human Rights Commission observed the International Day to Combat Islamophobia. This day serves as an opportunity for individuals, organisations, and communities to reflect on the impact of anti-Muslim prejudice and to call out Islamophobia.
For more information, see the Media release.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred grant applications now open
Applications for Personal Hardship Assistance Grants are now open. The grants package provides emergency financial assistance of $180 for individuals or up to $900 per family to cover essential costs such as food, clothing, medicines and emergency accommodation.
To be eligible for a grant you must:
- reside in one of the 18 declared affected Local Government Areas, and
- have either
- been subject to evacuation orders (Category red emergency warning), or
- experienced power outages of more than 48 hours.
For more information, see the Media release.
Beware of fundraising scams and donate responsibly following cyclone
NSW Fair Trading is warning people donating to the communities impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred to remain vigilant against potential fundraising scams.
You can avoid falling victim to fundraising scams by:
- only donating to registered charities with a charitable fundraising licence
- no responding to phone calls, emails, or social media messages asking for donations
- reporting suspicious activity to Scamwatch or NSW Fair Trading.
To check whether a charity is legitimate and holds a charitable fundraising licence, see ACNC Charity Register and Verify NSW.
For more information, see the Media release.
Crimes Amendment (Inciting Racial Hatred) Bill 2025
The NSW Government has respondent to calls for the Crimes Amendment (Inciting Racial Hatred) Bill 2025 to be scrapped. The Government has confirmed that it will not be repealing these laws, stating they are very important to maintain social cohesion.
For more information, see the Media release.
Financial assistance on the way for northern New South Wales residents recovering from Cyclone Alfred
The Federal and NSW Government are today announcing financial assistance to help residents impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The Personal Hardship Assistance Grant will be available for individuals and families who reside in the one of the declared affected Local Government Areas (LGA) of Armidale, Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Glenn Innes Severn, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, MidCoast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley, Tenterfield and Tweed.
To be eligible, you must be to show:
- you reside in a declared LGA
- you
- were subject to evacuation orders (Category red emergency warning), or
- experienced power outages of more than 48 hours
- have suffered hardship because of the disaster and can't meet your immediate needs..
For more information, see the Media release.
Disaster support for Armidale, Glen Innes Severn and Tenterfield LGAs as rain from Tropical Cyclone Alfred moves inland
The Federal and NSW Government are extending disaster assistance to flood impacted residents in the Armidale, Glen Innes Severn and Tenterfield Local Government Areas (LGAs).
The assistance will be provided for:
- eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items
- eligible low-income residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living
- eligible low-income residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.
For more information, see the Media release.
Disaster support for fifteen Northern NSW LGAs ahead of TC Alfred
The NSW Government has declared a natural disaster for the LGAs of Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Dungog, Kempsey, Kyogle, Lismore, Lord Howe Island, MidCoast, Nambucca Valley, Port Macquarie-Hastings, Richmond Valley and Tweed.
The declaration allows assistance to be provided for:
- eligible residents to help meet immediate needs like emergency accommodation and essential items
- eligible low-income residents to replace lost essential household items to maintain basic standard of living
- eligible low-income residents to undertake essential structural repairs to restore their homes to a basic, safe and habitable condition.
For more information, see the Media release.
Cyclone impacting parts of Australia
Information about your workplace rights and responsibilities if you're affected by a natural disaster, including those affected by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
For more information, see the Media release.
Seminar: Appearing in the Commission - The Basics
Vice President Justice Chin and Commissioner Webster are holding a seminar discussing the fundamentals of appearing before the Industrial Relations Commission of NSW as an advocate and focussing on the resolution of industrial disputes in conciliation. The seminar will be held both in-person (with limited seating) in Court 4.1 of the Chief Secretary’s Building, 47 Bridge Street, Sydney and online on 26 March 2025 at 5pm.
For more information, see the Media release.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred
The Australian Financial Security Authority is committed to working with people impacted by Cyclone Alfred who need their services. Contact AFSA if you are having trouble meeting any of the obligations required of you as part of your personal insolvency.
For more information, see the Media release.
Understanding of coercive control increases in community
Independent research shows awareness and understanding of coercive control has increased in NSW following the NSW Governments recent campaign. As a result, more people can now correctly identify key behaviours linked to coercive control, such as threats, manipulation, or monitoring someone’s movements.
For more information, see the Media release.
NSW Government to ban private electronic monitoring for people on bail
The NSW Government is set to ban private electronic monitoring for people on bail following concerns raised about the limitations on the justice systems ability to overseas private providers, including the risks posed by a provider suddenly ceasing to operate. The Government will put in place transitional arrangements to expedite the court matters of people with private electronic monitoring.
The ban won't affect other types of monitoring managed by Corrective Services NSW, such as mandatory electronic monitoring for serious domestic or offenders on parole.
For more information, see the Media release.
Parklea Correctional Centre to return to public hands
The Parklea Correctional Centre will be returned into public hands by October 2026 as decided by the NSW Government. Parklea is Sydney’s second-largest remand centre and has been managed by privately since 2018. It will be the second prison to be de-privatised when Corrective Services NSW takes over the management of the Junee Correctional Centre returns on 1 April 2025.
For more information, see the Media release.
Tamworth’s new mental health unit nearing completion
Enhanced mental health care is just around the corner for Tamworth thanks to a major construction milestone, with the three-storey building structure of the new Tamworth Hospital Mental Health Unit now complete.
For more information, see Media Release.
Waterloo renewal reaches new milestone to deliver Australia’s largest social housing project
Located on Gadigal land, this project will deliver more than 3,000 new homes in the inner city, within walking distance of local amenities and public transport including the Waterloo Metro. Half of these will be dedicated to social and affordable housing, providing over 1,000 new social homes and 600 affordable homes in the heart of Sydney.
For more information, see Media Release.
New refuge for women and children escaping violence in Griffith
The NSW Government is continuing to build a safer New South Wales by investing $6.4 million into a new emergency refuge for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence (DFV) in Griffith LGA.
For more information, see Media Release.
Support for Northern and Western NSW farmers as flood risks increase
Landholders and communities in western NSW are being urged to prepare for extensive flooding and isolation throughout April and May as significant flows from Queensland continue to move down the river systems into NSW.
For more information, see Media Release.
NSW Government successfully transitions Junee Correctional Centre into public hands
The NSW Government has successfully transitioned Junee Correctional Centre into public hands, making this the first time the centre has been run by the public sector since it opened in 1993.
This will secure well paid public service jobs for locals while integrating the centre into the broader prison network, enhancing operations statewide.
For more information, see Media Release.
NSW Government extends mental health support for first responders through bold new strategy
The NSW Government has launched a new mental health and wellbeing strategy for first responders which now recognises forestry workers, national park employees, and road and transport workers who put their lives on the line keeping communities safe.
This is in addition to emergency services personnel including Ambulance NSW, Fire and Rescue NSW, NSW Police, NSW State Emergency Service and the NSW Rural Fire Service. This is a recognition that these additional first responder services provide an essential service in responding to a range of emergencies, from car crashes to bushfires and floods.
For more information, see the Media Release.
Harmful LGBTQ+ conversion practices now banned in NSW
Dangerous and damaging LGBTQ+ conversion practices were banned from 4 April 2025.
The Conversion Practices Ban Act 2024 makes conversion practices, which can include 'conversion therapy' and suppression practices, a crime punishable by up to five years’ imprisonment. It also creates a scheme allowing civil complaints about conversion practices to be made to Anti-Discrimination NSW.
For more information, see the Media Release.
For the first time in 20 years, there are no vulnerable children in unaccredited emergency care
The NSW Government has ended unaccredited emergency accommodation for vulnerable children in out-of-home care (OOHC). Vulnerable children have now been transitioned to more appropriate, supportive accommodation with an accredited provider. This marks a significant milestone in ongoing efforts to fix the state’s child protection system.
For more information, see the Media Release.
Disaster support for Narrabri following severe storms
The Australian and NSW Governments are activating specific disaster assistance measures for the Narrabri Local Government Area (LGA) following widespread severe weather including strong winds and heavy rainfall. A broad range of assistance measures has been provided to affected communities.
For more information, see the Media Release.
New technology allows all NSW Police Officers to access interpreters on the beat
On the 2nd of April the NSW Government unveiled new technology that allows every police officer across NSW to access interpreting services 24/7. Language+ is a mobile application designed to facilitate more effective communication between police and community members who may not be fluent in English. The app is recorded in 29 languages and provides officers with direct access to a dedicated team of certified interpreters, ensuring critical information can be conveyed quickly and accurately.
For more information, see the Media Release.
More support for Central Coast women facing homelessness
The NSW Government has given a much-needed funding boost to an innovative project to provide supported transitional accommodation to women over 55 experiencing or at risk of homelessness on the Central Coast.
Allawah House is a former disused aged care facility that has been transformed into 14 safe and secure rooms to give older women a safe place to stay before they move into longer-term housing. Under the first round of the Homelessness Innovation Fund (HIF), the project received an injection of $275,000 to enable 12 months of specialist services to be provided at the site.
For more information, see the Media Release.
Justice reforms to boost safety for victim-survivors of domestic violence
The NSW Government states that they are building a safer New South Wales for victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. New rules require all bail decisions in NSW courts to be made by a magistrate or judge while tough new penalties will apply for breaches of Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders.
For more information, see the Media Release.
Expanded support for victim survivors of domestic and family violence
Over 200 victim-survivors of domestic and family violence have received support under the expanded Rentstart Bond Loan scheme as the NSW Government continues work to build a safer New South Wales. The Renstart Bond Loan scheme was expanded in October 2023, allowing victim-survivors of domestic and family violence to access a loan of up to 100 per cent of their rental bond to secure accommodation.
For more information, see the Media Release.
$250,000 pledged to support suicide prevention
The NSW Government has today announced $250,000 in funding to enhance suicide prevention programs for men and women across NSW. The Government investment will assist charity Talk2meBro whose mission is to help reduce the number of Australians who die from suicide to zero by offering tailored mental health programs.
For more information, see the Media Release.
