Communities across NSW will receive a boost for emergency health care as more regional paramedics are recruited and a new class of paramedic interns and emergency call takers is inducted into their roles.
500 Regional Paramedics
An additional 125 paramedics will begin working across regional NSW in coming months as part of the Minns Labor Government's commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to regional, rural and remote areas.
These paramedics are the third group to join NSW Ambulance as part of the regional 500, joining 250 others who are already on the road.
Paramedics have already started in Grafton, and more will start in Gunnedah, Tea Gardens, and Tweed Heeds from Saturday, 28 February 2026. Additional locations will be announced in coming months.
NSW Ambulance has been consulting with staff and the Health Services Union about the proposed locations with consultation ongoing.
The additional paramedics will help optimise response times and patient outcomes as well as provide support to existing paramedics who continue to provide world-class emergency and mobile healthcare across regional NSW.
The Minns Government will continue to roll out the additional 500 paramedics for regional NSW next year, with future locations determined through NSW Ambulance's evidence based, best practice service and workforce planning as well as consultation with staff and the Health Services Union.
In 2024, Ballina, Bathurst, Broken Hill, Goulburn, Kangaroo Valley, Lismore, Lithgow, Mudgee, Parkes, Port Macquarie, South West Rocks and Tottenham received additional paramedics as part of the first tranche of the regional 500 program.
As part of the second tranche in 2025, Albury, Blayney, Deniliquin, Dubbo, Moree, Orange, Tamworth South, Temora, Wagga Wagga, Yamba and Young received additional paramedics.
The Minns Labor Government is also investing $10 million into health worker housing for paramedics in regional NSW as part of the $200.1 million Key Health Worker Accommodation program.
Paramedic Interns and Emergency Call Takers
NSW Ambulance has also welcomed 118 new paramedic interns and 26 trainee emergency medical call takers, who were officially inducted in a ceremony at the State Operations Centre in Sydney Olympic Park today.
Following a successful 2025 which saw more than 1,000 paramedic interns and emergency medical call takers join the workforce, 2026 is starting off strong by delivering a significant boost to frontline healthcare services across the state.
These latest recruits bring a diverse range of skills and experiences to NSW Ambulance, including paramedic intern Tomas Scone, a former Australian Defence Force infantry soldier, and trainee emergency medical call taker Jillian Suggate, who formerly worked with the NSW Reconstruction Authority and disaster relief initiatives overseas.
The paramedic interns will now commence the on-road phase of their 12-month internship, working at locations across NSW before transitioning into permanent roles in both metropolitan and regional communities.
The trainee emergency medical call takers will be posted to the Sydney, Northern and Western control centres.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health, Ryan Park:
"This boost to the paramedic workforce ensures patients right across NSW continue to receive the highest quality emergency medical care, regardless of where they live.
"We are rebuilding our emergency health services by investing in our paramedics. Our commitment to recruit 500 regional paramedics is already helping deliver world-class emergency care to regional and rural communities.
"We know how critical timely healthcare is, and these new roles will help improve outcomes for patients and their families."
Quotes attributable to Gerard Hayes AM, Secretary, HSU NSW:
"These additional paramedics are welcome news not only for our regional communities, but also the existing NSW Ambulance staff who are critically important to these areas outside our cities."
"By investing in more paramedics, the Minns Labor Government is also investing in the wellbeing of our crews on the ground, allowing them to continue doing amazing, life saving work to the highest standard."
Quotes attributable to NSW Ambulance Chief Executive Dr Dominic Morgan:
"This latest group of paramedics represents another important step in building a stronger, more resilient emergency care network across regional NSW.
Our clinicians do an incredible job, at times under challenging circumstances, and these additional resources will provide vital support and help reduce pressure on existing staff.
"As demand for services grows, we remain committed to delivering world-class emergency and mobile healthcare for every community we serve."
Quotes attributable to paramedic intern Tomas Scone:
"I was proud to serve my country, but I knew that becoming a paramedic was my real calling.
"My future aspiration is to utilise my army training and become a special operations team paramedic."
Quotes attributable to trainee emergency medical call taker Jillian Suggate:
"Working in disaster relief helping ravaged communities was incredibly rewarding, strengthening my passion for emergency management.
"I thrive under pressure and I am looking forward to being part of a dynamic team with NSW Ambulance."
