The Minns Labor Government is empowering regional and rural women with essential skills in first aid, and mental health and crisis support through free training with St John Ambulance.
Coordinated by the Rural Women's Network, the government has provided $90,000 in funding to deliver approximately 30 free workshops tailored for women across 15 regional locations.
The 'Rural Women's Network Skills Roadshow' program will run workshops for up to 450 women across regional New South Wales from May until November 2025.
The program aims to be accessible and includes skills to respond effectively in emergency situations, recognise mental health issues, recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, provide appropriate interventions and learn where to direct people for further support.
Recent St John Ambulance statistics highlight the need to increase first aid and mental health knowledge:
In New South Wales, 33% of adults have never trained in first aid (the highest proportion of any state/territory in Australia) and only 37% have done training in the last three years.
Women are less likely to be confident providing first aid (44% of women are confident) compared to men (57% of men are confident).
87% of Australians would be more willing to provide help to a person with a mental health issue if they were taught how.
Workshop participants will receive a nationally accredited certification once they have completed their training.
To find out more about the roadshow and register for a course near you visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/women-nsw/rural-womens-network/rwn-events/rural-womens-network-skills-roadshow-2025.
Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarity said:
"It's so important to equip rural and regional women with the first aid skills that they need to be a crucial first responder during an emergency because it can literally be the difference between life and death.
"It's not just about physical injuries either, this program helps develop the skills to identify and respond to someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, until professional help is available."
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
"For the first time women across regional and rural NSW - from Ballina to Broken Hill to Bega - will have access to free first aid and mental health training thanks to this program.
"The New South Wales Government is making it easy for women to access this life-saving training to bridge an important gap, particularly for women who would have otherwise missed out due to cost or travel. We're not only giving them essential skills but building resilience in regional communities.
"Thank you to St Johns Ambulance for partnering with us to deliver this exciting program, which will deliver 30 workshops right across New South Wales.
"For women living in regional or rural NSW, I encourage you to register for one or both courses nearest to you to help keep your family, workplace and community safe."
