2025 Premier's Awards
Winners are selected following a rigorous judging process and awarded for demonstrating a world class public service, delivering exceptional services to the people of NSW.
Premier's Awards ceremony (2025)
Winners and Finalists
Winner: Jayla Nix
Manager, Aboriginal Health Workers and Practitioners, Murrumbidgee Local Health District, NSW Health
Jayla exemplifies the purpose and integrity of public service. A proud Wiradjuri woman, Jayla stepped into senior executive leadership during a time of significant loss, guiding the organisation with composure, cultural strength and compassion. Despite personal grief, Jayla ensured continuity, growth, unity and healing: an act of quiet leadership, earning the respect of the organisation and the wider community.
Jayla consistently goes beyond the expectations of her role, mentoring all levels of staff and fostering a supportive environment where curiosity is welcomed, and cultural learning is safe and encouraged. Her influence has shaped models of care now embedded across services, improving outcomes and deepening trust within Aboriginal communities.
Jayla’s leadership is recognised not for its visibility, but for its substance. She is building a health system where Aboriginal leadership and lived experience drives decision-making and accountability, where cultural safety is embedded all aspects of care and throughout the organisation.
Finalists
Brooke Cowan
Industry Liaison Officer, Livestock Systems, Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Brooke exemplifies public sector values through her unwavering commitment to the sheep and goat industry during the transition to mandatory electronic identification (eID) in NSW. This complex reform requires building trust in a highly sceptical stakeholder environment, and Brooke works tirelessly to achieve this—attending hundreds of events, travelling extensively, and engaging directly with producers, agents, and rural communities. Her integrity, empathy, and persistence have been key to overcoming resistance and fostering understanding.
Brooke consistently demonstrates leadership through proactive problem-solving and her ability to navigate complex issues with professionalism. She has shaped training materials, resolved on-site challenges, and ensured continuity in operations, all while maintaining strong relationships across the sector. Her work ethic, humility, and passion for regional communities and biosecurity reflect her deep alignment with public service values. Brooke’s dedication and hands-on approach make her a standout contributor and leader in the eID rollout.
Sophie Farnsworth
Senior Solicitor, Civil Division, Legal Aid NSW, Department of Communities & Justice
Sophie is a standout emerging leader and government lawyer who exemplifies the best of public service. Without fanfare, she took on one of the toughest and most rewarding jobs with determination and humility.
As the first permanent Legal Aid civil lawyer in the Far West, Sophie has tackled entrenched disadvantage with integrity and tenacity, delivering high-impact legal services across some of NSW’s most remote and disadvantaged communities. Sophie has assisted hundreds of individual clients, while using the law to advocate for system change in regional communities. She has built strong local partnerships and developed innovative approaches to legal service delivery, improving the lives of our most vulnerable clients.
Her work demonstrates courage, innovation and a deep understanding of how to lead in complex environments. With strong interpersonal skills and a clear sense of purpose, Sophie inspires those around her and will undoubtedly step into senior public sector leadership roles.
Jordan Fenech
Acting Nurse Manager, Emergency Department, Blacktown Hospital, Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health
Jordan Fenech is a pivotal nurse leader whose innovative thinking, operational excellence, and deep commitment to public sector values have significantly advanced emergency care in Western Sydney. As Acting Nurse Manager, Jordan has led numerous initiatives that have improved patient safety, reduced treatment delays, and enhanced staff wellbeing.
His leadership of the T2 Nurse Project and the 2nd triage nurse pilot directly improved access to time-critical care, earning multiple district awards and recognition. Jordan’s ability to anticipate clinical risks and implement scalable solutions—such as the ED Safe Searches protocol and the Integrated Geriatric Emergency Medicine (iGEM) model—demonstrates his strategic foresight and system-wide impact.
He is a respected mentor, a champion of inclusive leadership, and a role model for excellence in the ED. Jordan’s leadership potential is exceptional, and his contributions continue to lead emergency care improvements across WSLHD.
Winner: Glenn George
Manager Advanced Operational Support, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Glenn George has led the design and delivery of Advanced Operational Support (AOS) since its inception in 2023, supporting regional Local Water Utilities (LWU) in NSW to improve water quality for communities. Through his leadership, AOS has delivered technical support, operational risk assessments, and training to improve water treatment performance and public health outcomes.
Glenn has overseen the implementation of site-specific improvement plans at over 25 locations, directly benefiting more than 40,000 residents. His work has resulted in measurable improvements in water quality, operational efficiency, and emergency preparedness. AOS has been delivered on time and within budget, with strong uptake and recognition from stakeholders across government and LWUs.
Glenn’s leadership reflects a commitment to evidence-based decision-making, interagency collaboration, and service delivery in complex regional environments. As the manager of AOS, Glenn demonstrates an understanding of the challenges faced by under-resourced water treatment operators, combined with his commitment to practical solutions.
Finalists
Elizabeth Beveridge
Child and Family Health Clinical Nurse Specialist 2, Perinatal Mental Health, Integrated and Community Health, Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health
Elizabeth (Liz) Beveridge is a Child and Family Health Clinical Nurse Specialist in Perinatal Mental Health whose leadership and innovation have transformed child and family health services in Integrated and Community Health WSLHD. Since 2020, Liz has pioneered trauma-informed, child-centred care models that support vulnerable families, particularly those experiencing mental health challenges and housing insecurity.
Her work includes establishing a child and family health clinic in partnership with Flourish Australia, improving early intervention and developmental outcomes for children aged 0–5. Liz’s initiatives have strengthened interagency collaboration, enhanced clinical governance, and empowered nursing teams to lead complex care planning. Her development of the “GP Letter” for risk communication has been recognised by the Ministry of Health as a quality innovation. Liz exemplifies the values of the NSW public service, through her tireless advocacy, clinical excellence, and commitment to improving outcomes for children and families.
Stewart McLachlan
Chief Executive Officer, Value NSW, Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure
Stewart McLachlan has led Value NSW (VNSW) through an extraordinary transformation over the past 3 years.
He has transitioned the agency from a completely outsourced valuation service delivery model to a hybrid model, standing up in-house valuation capability to deliver around 80% of valuations with further internal growth to come. The model designed by Stewart also aligns with the Government’s priority to reduce reliance on contractors and strengthen the NSW public service, a priority he is certainly delivering on, having created over 150 roles for new public servants over the last 18 months.
Under Stewart’s leadership, VNSW has delivered over $2.2 million in cost savings, through the transition of moving valuations in-house, with up to a further $61.8 million savings expected over the next 6 years. VNSW is also now delivering valuations faster and to a higher standard when statistically measured, compared to the external market.
James Puttock
Rehabilitation Engineering Senior Technician, Prince of Wales Hospital, South-Eastern Sydney Local Health District
As a Rehabilitation Technician at the Prince of Wales Hospital (POWH), James exemplifies innovation, compassion, and collaboration in healthcare. James effectively collaborates with therapists, rehabilitation engineers, and the spinal multidisciplinary team, ensuring custom solutions are tailored to specific clinical needs.
James understands the importance of co-design, actively involving patients in the design process, ensuring their voice is central to each solution. James’s technical expertise, combined with a deep respect for patients and colleagues, fosters a culture of excellence and innovation. From 3D-printed adaptive tools to bespoke assistive technologies, James’s creations often surpass commercial alternatives in both usability and impact.
Winner of the 2025 South Eastern Sydney Local Health District (SESLHD) CORE Values in Action Award, James’s transformative contributions and unwavering commitment to the rehabilitation service make him an outstanding nominee.
Winner: Australia’s first family-friendly Healthy Higher Density Living Guide
Integrated and Community Health, Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health
Australia’s first Healthy Higher Density for Families with Children Guide is a new initiative that reimagines urban living for families. Developed by the Western Sydney Local Health District’s Integrated and Community Health Centre for Population Health in partnership with the City of Parramatta and Cities for Play, the Guide responds to the growing number of families with children living in high-density housing. It addresses a critical gap in planning policy by offering practical, evidence-based strategies to improve liveability and health outcomes at both the building and neighbourhood scales.
Launched in September 2024, the Guide was co-designed with over 300 stakeholders and has already influenced planning controls, policy documents, and design practices across NSW. With over 2,100 downloads and national recognition, it is shaping healthier, more inclusive urban environments. This project exemplifies innovation, collaboration, and leadership in creating sustainable, family-friendly cities that support long-term community wellbeing and economic resilience.
Partner: City of Parramatta Council and Cities for Play
Finalists
Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone
Energy Corporation of NSW, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Three of NSW’s four remaining coal-fired power stations are set to retire by 2033-34. In late 2020, NSW legislated its transition plan – the Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap – with bipartisan support to transform NSW’s electricity sector and keep the lights on. A new innovative regulatory framework was developed to accelerate how we upgrade the grid in NSW to unlock our abundant renewable wind and solar resources. The framework will attract tens of billions in investment to regional communities and funds EnergyCo’s Community Benefits and Employment Program.
The Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) is Australia’s first REZ and the largest coordinated renewable project in Australia. 7.15GW of generation and storage projects were awarded access rights on 8 May. The NSW Government has invested an initial $128 million for community and employment benefits in the Central-West Orana REZ to 2028, with more funding to be made available to communities over the next three decades, generated from fees paid by projects with an access right to connect to the REZ network infrastructure. The REZ will ensure affordable, reliable and sustainable power for consumers and leave a legacy for regional communities.
Climate Vulnerability Assessment - Opportunities for Regional Communities
Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Primary industries in New South Wales are highly exposed to the climate and face added challenges from climate change, due to a lack of a consistent, evidence-based understanding of climate change impacts.
In a world-first initiative, the Climate Vulnerability Assessment team conducted a comprehensive study to examine how climate change is likely to affect the state’s agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors by 2050. It assessed the impact of climate change on 37 commodities and 14 biosecurity risks, identifying the sectors most likely impacted by climate vulnerabilities and considered opportunities for growth of different commodities in a changing climate.
By combining scientific research with expert knowledge, the assessment helps regional, rural and remote communities and businesses understand the future challenges and opportunities. It supports informed decision-making and long-term planning to ensure that industry and communities can adapt and remain productive. This builds resilience across NSW’s regional economy and environment and safeguarding food security and livelihoods in the face of a changing climate.
Switching Intravenous Antimicrobials to Oral: A Path to Sustainable Healthcare
South-Eastern Sydney Local Health District
Extended intravenous (IV) antimicrobial use can lead to patient harm, IV-line complications, longer hospital stays, increased waste, carbon emissions, and healthcare costs due to consumables and energy use. In response, an electronic health record (eMR, Powerchart, Cerner) clinical decision support (CDS) tool was developed by South East Sydney Local Health District with Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District, to trigger an e-alert from a set of patient characteristics indicating clinical readiness to safely switch from IV to oral antimicrobials.
The CDS-tool was optimised and implemented across SESLHD with district-wide governance, education and promotion over 4 months in 2024. At St George Hospital, there was an associated reduction of 580 days of therapy (DoT) of IV antimicrobials, 130kg of waste, 180 nursing hours and estimated carbon saving of 137kgCO2-eq at St George Hospital. By integrating the tool into routine practice, Antimicrobial Stewardship (AMS) teams have delivered a sustainable, scalable solution, improving care, reducing both environmental and economic impact.
Winner: Broadband Cells on Wheels (COWs) for emergency community Wi-Fi
Telco Authority, Department of Customer Service
In a first for the NSW Government, NSW Telco Authority delivered a fleet of broadband Cells on Wheels (COWs) to provide emergency wi-fi for use by the community. This initiative aims to address urgent and critical gaps caused by the loss of service from Mobile Network Operators by providing reliable broadband connectivity during and post emergencies.
Designed for rapid deployment, the COWs provide temporary wi-fi connectivity to disaster-impacted areas via an aggregation of technologies, including multiple power options, wi-fi user access, network traffic management and satellite backhaul connection to the network. The units can be operational within hours, providing large area wi-fi connectivity to local communities and first responders.
Delivery of the COWs enables public access to free wi-fi in key locations, such as Evacuation Centres, when commercial carriers are experiencing outages. This supports the welfare of the community and enhances disaster response when it is most needed.
Finalists
Budjery Manya – New Directions Aboriginal Mothers & Babies Program
Integrated and Community Health, Western Sydney Local Health District, NSW Health
Budjery Manya – the New Directions Program addresses maternal and child health inequalities among Aboriginal families in Western Sydney.
Since 2016, it has delivered culturally safe services including immunisations, home visits, paediatric assessments, and referrals. In response to growing demand, the program expanded in 2023–2024 to include newborn clinics, speech pathology, and out-of-home care assessments—guided by community consultation and data from over 2,800 service occasions.
In 2023–2024, 880 clients were served (463 children, 417 mothers), with a 29% increase in referrals. Immunisation rates rose by 62%, and developmental assessments by 20%. Strong partnerships, targeted recruitment, and alignment with the NSW Aboriginal Health Plan 2024–2034 underpin its success.
The program has transformed routine care into an integrated model across the LHD, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Greater Western Aboriginal Health Services and Aboriginal communities. Budjery Manya exemplifies excellence in Aboriginal healthcare, delivering holistic, culturally responsive services that improve outcomes and empower families.
Partners: Sydney Children’s Hospital Network, Greater Western Aboriginal Health Services and NSW Ministry of Health
Fire Ant Free - Keeping NSW safe from harm
Agriculture and Biosecurity, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Fire ants are one of the world’s worst invasive species. They occupy 830,000 ha of SEQLD and have been found 550m from the NSW border. If established in NSW, they would cause significant biodiversity impacts, and lead to 2.7M stings and up to 185,000 medical visits annually. The impact on our primary industries would be severe.
The NSW Fire Ant Team implements its succinct, targeted strategic plan with a singular, critical goal: To prevent the establishment of fire ants in New South Wales. The plan outlines 5 key objectives and 26 actionable steps. Prevention, early detection and rapid response remains a priority. With four confirmed detections of fire ants in northeast NSW since November 2023, the team have spearheaded the NSW response to these prohibited biosecurity matter events and are well on the way to eradicating fire ants from the state.
Historical Sexual Assault Backcapture Project
NSW Health Pathology
The Historical Sexual Assault Backcapture Project was established at NSW Health Pathology’s Forensic & Analytical Science Service (FASS) and funded by NSW Police Force, to examine hundreds of previously untested Sexual Assault Investigation Kits (SAIKs). The project’s primary objectives included the recovery of sex offender DNA profiles to establish connections between cases and/or offenders and provide additional case evidence which may renew a Police investigation.
Over 780 historical SAIKs were examined by the project team, many with samples compromised by age, storage conditions or lack of information. Despite these challenges and whilst adhering to a tight 12-month timeframe, the team uploaded over 300 offender DNA profiles to the NSW and National Criminal DNA Databases. Additionally, 3500 male suspect reference samples were upgraded and added to these DNA databases. The results recovered have assisted NSWPF by generating important investigative leads, thus improving safety and justice outcomes for the wider NSW community.
Partner: NSW Police
Winner: NSW Health Pathology Aboriginal & Disability targeted traineeships
NSW Health Pathology
NSW Health Pathology (NSWHP) has a history of entry level roles that are hard to fill and have a high turnover, increasing the workload and training burden and potential burn out of staff in these roles. Coupled with this, NSWHP had not made improvements in the number of Aboriginal and people living with a disability participating in its workforce.
NSWHP designed a ground-breaking traineeship program to attract traditionally disadvantaged and marginalised communities with a focus on Aboriginal people and people living with a disability. The team successfully designed the program by working with operations leaders, training entities and Aboriginal organisations. Under tight deadlines and significant pressures, the team used innovative approaches to recruitment, onboarding and provided on-going support for these trainees who wouldn't otherwise get an opportunity to have a career and role within Health.
Finalists
First Nations Engagement in School Infrastructure (FNESI) Team
NSW Department of Education
First Nations Engagement in School Infrastructure (FNESI) is a program to increase the involvement of Aboriginal business, people and communities in the maintenance of our schools and educational facilities. FNESI manages a large maintenance program for more than 2,000 public schools across NSW.
The program supports enhanced economic and employment outcomes by engaging Aboriginal businesses to maintain local schools. The FNESI team works alongside Aboriginal businesses and our partners to develop skills, build capability and create opportunities for young people to take up apprenticeships and traineeships. The FNESI program also supports the development of a talent pipeline of First Nations staff, which includes investing in upskilling and training young people.
From Novice to ICU-Ready: Building ICU Capability Through Accelerated Training
South-Western Sydney Local Health District
Situation: In response to critical staff shortages at Campbelltown Intensive Care Unit (ICU) due to COVID-19-related burnout and resignations, an urgent solution was needed to maintain quality and safety in patient care.
Task: The goal was to rapidly upskill non-ICU nurses to safely fill ICU roles, traditionally requiring 1–3 years of training, within a condensed 3-month period.
Action: The ICU Accelerate Training Program (IATP) was launched, delivering a blended learning approach—face-to-face education, online modules, simulations, and buddy nursing. The program focused on developing ICU-specific competencies including hemodynamic monitoring, mechanical ventilation, decision-making, and clinical judgment. It was implemented in three phases between 2023 and 2025.
Result: IATP led to a significant reduction in ICU nurse vacancies from 35% in 2023 to 0% by 2025. It improved staff retention, increased workforce capacity, enhanced patient outcomes, reduced reliance on casual staff, and built participant confidence and clinical competence.
NSW Health Deployment Program
NSW Ministry of Health
The NSW Health Deployment Program, established in May 2023, is a strategic initiative aimed at addressing workforce shortages in regional, rural, and remote areas of NSW. The program facilitates short-term placements (ranging from two to thirteen weeks) for healthcare professionals across more than 20 disciplines, including nursing, midwifery, and allied health. With travel and accommodation costs covered, participants are offered a unique opportunity to contribute to rural communities while gaining diverse clinical experience.
Since its inception, the program has facilitated 245 health professionals on 773 deployments, across 134 facilities (as at 30 September 2025) in roles such as occupational therapy, podiatry, speech pathology, and physiotherapy. The initiative is set to expand to 400 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. Early outcomes suggest strong engagement and retention, with many participants choosing to remain in their placements long-term, delivering sustained benefits to patients, communities, and the broader health system.
Winner: Language+ App – Connecting Communities with Emergency Services
Multicultural NSW, Department of Communities & Justice
In NSW, one in four people speak a language other than English at home. With over 283 languages spoken in NSW, it’s not practical for frontline police to have an interpreter available in every situation, 24/7 across the state.
Language+ is an app developed by Multicultural NSW in close collaboration with NSW Police for deployment on 12,000 police mobile devices. Over 200 commonly used policing phrases were identified across key police services, including Highway Patrol, Water Police, Domestic Violence and General Duties. Multicultural NSW translators professionally translated these phrases into 32 languages, and the phrases were recorded by interpreters.
Directly available on Language+, Multicultural NSW developed a dedicated 24/7 on-demand telephone interpreting service, allowing NSW Police to access certified interpreters anytime and anywhere. Language+ is scalable and adaptable across other NSW government frontline services and will be rolled out to support SES and Rural Fire Service this year. This initiative would not have been possible without Digital Restart Funding. Multicultural NSW brought together the latest technology with their expert interpreters and translators to make the impossible, possible.
Partners: NSW Police
Finalists
Box Hill Public School - Temporary School team
Department of Education
The Temporary Schools team delivers high-quality, fully equipped learning environments while permanent school facilities are being planned and built. A standout example is the establishment of Box Hill Public School, driven by collaboration across School Infrastructure and Public Schools.
In response to the urgent need for educational infrastructure in the rapidly growing Box Hill suburb, teams worked seamlessly over the Christmas and New Year period to plan, gain approvals, acquire land, work through heavy rain, and build temporary facilities that met all safety and accessibility standards.
Constructed in just 45 days, Box Hill Public School opened its doors to 150 students on Day 1 Term 1 2025, showcasing service delivery at its best.
Driver Knowledge Test Online
Transport for NSW
The Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) online is a new way for aspiring drivers to qualify for their learner licence from home or from anywhere with internet access. Previously, they had to travel to a service centre to attempt the test and this could be a nerve-racking and stressful experience.
DKT online is a self-paced, 4-hour learning course and test, covering road rules and safe driving behaviour, using video, animation and simulated driving environments.
Aspiring drivers can take the test as many times as it takes to pass for one fee. It is fully accessible with text to speech, suitable for people with low literacy and dyslexia. It cuts costs and saves time for customers, is inclusive and convenient, and delivers comprehensive driving knowledge.
This product has reduced barriers to driver education. Customers tell us that it instils the importance of driving safely even before they sit in the driver’s seat.
Partner: Service NSW
Tamworth Justice Collaborative (TJC) - Fresh Footprints Program
Premier’s Department
Like many towns, Tamworth is struggling with increasing youth crime. Various models and approaches have been applied in Tamworth and other regional locations to address youth crime. Research identified there is no simple solution to address the issue and no single government agency or community organisation can address the issue alone.
In recognition of the complexity and importance of the issue, Premier’s Department brought together 14 agencies from all levels of government and community-based organisations to collaborate and develop an innovative approach to respond to the local challenges. The group, the Tamworth Justice Collaborative, adopted a shared commitment, pushing outside everyday service delivery, to understand and respond to underlying issues impacting young offenders. TJC members supported each other to challenge the status quo and push through the barriers. TJC's approach is consistent and committed to making a difference for a group of young people who’ve only ever seen this with their mates.
Partners: Department of Communities and Justice – New England Cultural Connections & Youth Justice, Department of Education, Hunter New England Health, Oxley Police District - NSW Police
Winner: All Together Now: Coordinating Care for Kids
Hunter New England Local Health District
Children with medical complexity (CMC) represent a vulnerable population at high risk of care fragmentation and poor-quality care. Though only 1% of the paediatric population, they account for over 30% of paediatric healthcare costs. This project co-designed a new model of care with over 150 staff and consumer stakeholders across Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). This led to the HNEkids Complex Care Coordination Service—a structured model offering a six-to-twelve-month intensive phase, followed by transition to a district-wide Network for sustained support.
Early outcomes for the first 20 families were substantial: Emergency Department presentations fell by 62%, total inpatient days dropped from 276 to 110, and same-day outpatient appointment coordination rose from 2.6% to 35.3%. Families described the service as providing “coordination respite,” improving trust and reducing the emotional and logistical burden of managing care. Now a permanent service, the model delivers measurable benefits for vulnerable families.
Finalists
Mobile Dental Van Program – A vehicle for change
Hunter New England Local Health District
The Mobile Dental Van Program (MDVP) is an innovative partnership with internal and external organisations to provide access to dental care and education for disadvantaged communities.
Rural and remote communities generally suffer poorer oral health compared to major cities due to fewer dental practitioners, significant distances to travel for dental care and limited or no access to fluoridated water.
Commencing in November 2022 with its inaugural visit to Walhallow Public School seeing 8 students, the program has since provided dental care to more than 400 patients through school & community clinics, covering a distance of over 28,000 kms. 79% of patients identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and 16% of patients have not seen a dental practitioner before. Whilst the centrepiece of the program is the mobile dental van, its strength is the integration of the program with a number of complementary health initiatives and health providers.
NSW Chronic Wound Management Initiative
NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation, NSW Health
Wounds that fail to heal as expected can have a profound impact on individuals and place a significant burden on the NSW health system. In response, the chronic wound initiative commenced in 2019 to improve how wounds are experienced and managed in NSW.
The initiative established a statewide taskforce to strengthen the system for wound management, and support for quality improvement activity within local health districts (LHDs). Through broad collaboration, the initiative increased access to wound management specialists and multidisciplinary care, including virtual care strengthened wound management capability across the workforce, and enhanced consumers' involvement in their care.
In 2023/24, hospital admissions for wound management were 27% lower than before the initiative commenced, exceeding the improvement target of 10%, and over $76M in costs were avoided. In NSW, more people living with chronic wounds now receive the care they need, at the right time, in the right place.
Right care, right time, right place: Reducing ED burden through connected care in the community
NSW Ministry of Health
To ease pressure on NSW emergency departments (EDs), the NSW Government launched the ED Relief Package. Building on COVID-19 innovations, NSW Health, Healthdirect and Primary Health Networks collaborated to deliver the Single Front Door (SFD), Virtual Care Hubs, and 26 Urgent Care Services (UCS).
The SFD provides free, 24/7 phone and online access to professional health advice and nurse triage via Healthdirect, linking patients to local and virtual care pathways including UCS, virtualKIDS, virtualADULTS and virtualGP. These services divert patients with urgent, but non-life-threatening conditions, away from busy EDs.
The system integrates with the NSW Patient Flow Portal, primary care, and MyHealthRecord, ensuring safe, data-enabled care transitions. Phased implementation began in 2022. In 2024, over 500,000 callers accessed urgent advice or care through the SFD, with more than 200,000 directed to non-ED pathways (Healthdirect data, 2025)—delivering the right care, at the right time, at or closer to home.
Partners: NSW Ministry of Health, Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network, Hunter New England Local Health District, Sydney Local Health District, Western NSW Local Health District, Healthdirect Australia, and Primary Health Networks.
Winner: Life-changing pathways for students with disability
TAFE NSW
When two dedicated Retail teachers from TAFE NSW saw a news story about Mini Woolies, it sparked a transformative collaboration with Woolworths Group – bringing this innovative initiative into the tertiary vocational education space for the first time. Since then, Mini Woolies sites have launched at nine TAFE NSW campuses, opening up life-changing learning, social, and employment opportunities for students with disability that might otherwise have been out of reach.
The first facility opened at Loftus campus in 2023; each training room features stocked shelves, registers, and the signature Woolworths caps and aprons – equipping students with hands-on, practical retail and customer service skills they need to succeed in the workforce. With over 300 enrolments, exceptional course completion rates, and three students already securing part-time roles with Woolworths, the award-winning program is opening up an array of learning, social, and employment opportunities.
Partner: Woolworths Group
Finalists
Building Healthier Northern NSW Communities Through Education, Research and Innovation
Northern NSW Local Health District
The Northern NSW Local Health District (NNSWLHD) faced the urgent challenge of addressing regional health inequities and an ageing population while building a future-ready, skilled workforce. In response, Bond University, Griffith University, Southern Cross University, and TAFE NSW came together to form the Northern NSW Academic Health Alliance (NAHA), partnering with NNSWLHD to co-design a transformative, sustainable model of health education, research, and workforce development.
This landmark, first-of-its-kind partnership created a NAHA-funded, dedicated floor in the state-of-the-art Learning, Development and Research Building at Tweed Valley Hospital, where students train in real clinical settings and staff advance research and teaching. The scalable, adaptable model preserves each partner’s autonomy while driving shared outcomes to build a skilled workforce tailored to regional needs. Focused on long-term sustainability through a fifteen-year agreement, the Alliance aligns closely with the NSW Higher Education Strategy 2025–2029, proactively anticipating and shaping the healthcare workforce of tomorrow.
Partners: TAFE NSW, Bond University, Griffith University and Southern Cross University
50°C: Climate, Heat and Resilience
Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, Department of Creative Industries, Tourism, Hospitality and Sport
50°C: Climate, Heat and Resilience is a world-first, interdisciplinary learning program developed by Powerhouse with support from the Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.
Designed to deepen students understanding of the impact of extreme heat on health and communities, the program engaged almost 1000 students from nine Western Sydney public schools to learn about climate change through the study of the heat within their own schools’ microclimates.
The 10-week program was supported by in-person learning experiences with academics, industry and advocacy groups along with a suite of specially designed curriculum aligned resources. Using data, design, storytelling and science to investigate the impacts of heat, students developed proposals for heat mitigation solutions that could be implemented in their schools and communities.
Student proposals included tree canopy expansions and solar-powered cooling in schools, to community heat safe messaging which they then presented at a 50°C Climate Summit attended by key decision-makers. The program empowered students to take meaningful action, helping to build resilience against the effects of rising temperatures in their local communities.
Partner: Office of the NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer
Tiny Homes @ Lismore High: Building Futures One Tiny Home at a Time
The Rivers Secondary College - Lismore High Campus, Department of Education
The Tiny Homes @ Lismore High project is an innovative, alternate learning program in which Stage 5 students (Years 9 and 10) at Lismore High Campus (LHC) design and construct a tiny home with the guidance of staff and local industry professionals.
Developed in partnership with RIEP (Regional Industry Education Partnerships), who also provided the initial seed funding, the project delivers hands-on, trade-based education designed to build skills, confidence and community. In 2025, the project culminated in the successful sale of the completed 2024 Tiny Home for $65,000, allowing the initiative to become a self-sustaining, legacy project.
The program directly contributes to improved student engagement, attendance, and post-school outcomes, all while fostering community partnerships and providing meaningful learning beyond the classroom.
Partner: Regional Industry Education Partnerships