Students and teachers across flood-impacted communities in Western NSW will benefit from financial and wellbeing assistance of up to $27.5 million as part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government's flood recovery package.
Schools and registered training providers in towns across Western NSW, including Eugowra, Forbes, Canowindra, Condobolin and Moree, will have access to a range of benefits from Term 1, 2023 with a focus on helping with the cost of living for families and getting students back into the classroom.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said it is critical that ongoing support is provided to communities impacted by flooding events.
"As a former teacher, I know how important it is to provide continued wellbeing support to our students, staff and parents, especially after everything they've been through," Mr Toole said.
"We know schools are at the centre of our regional communities, and we need to do all we can to ensure staff and students can get back to a sense of normality as quickly as possible and focus on what's most important - giving and receiving a top-quality education."
Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said financial assistance includes a $500 Education Hardship grant per student in highly impacted public schools, access to a $1,000 Emergency Grant Payment for public school staff, and targeted learning support for students.
"The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is committed to supporting these communities rebuild and get back to some normality in 2023, with a flood recovery package that offers a wide range of financial and wellbeing support," Ms Mitchell said.
"While damage to infrastructure is limited, there have been significant disruptions to continuity of learning. The wellbeing of our staff and students is the prime focus."
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government's flood recovery package will allow registered training organisations and students to fast-track their return to training by providing a selection of highly impacted providers with a $10,000 grant and greater support for disengaged learners to resume their studies.
"This is a vital measure for a region that is already experiencing significant worker shortages, and the NSW Government is committed to helping both staff and students feel better prepared for the year ahead," Mr Henskens said.
"We look forward to working with our registered training organisations throughout the affected areas to address the opportunities needed for their full return to training."
The Western NSW flood recovery package builds on the Northern Rivers education flood recovery package delivered by the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government in 2022.
