The Minns Labor Government is bringing back the popular Rural Women's Network Skills Roadshow, with an investment of $60,000 for eight more regional locations to host the free workshops.
Delivered in partnership with St John Ambulance NSW, nearly 400 regional, rural and remote women have taken part in the training since it began in 2025.
The free accredited mental health and first aid training will return to communities across the state in late 2026 and to June 2027.
The sixteen workshops aim to help women build practical skills to assist their families, workplaces and communities.
The next round of the Roadshow is expected to reach up to 240 women with dates for the 2026 Roadshow confirmed for:
- Forster - 6 and 7 November 2026
- Nowra - 13 and 14 November 2026
- Armidale - 27 and 28 November 2026.
Dates for the 2027 locations will be announced as they are confirmed:
- Tweed Heads
- Queanbeyan
- Grafton
- Gunnedah
- Orange.
The workshops are accessible and include skills to respond effectively in emergency situations, recognise mental health issues, spot situations where people may be in imminent crisis, provide appropriate interventions and learn where to direct people for further support.
This is part of the Minns Labor Government's ongoing effort to expand opportunities for regional, rural and remote women to build skills, strengthen connections and increase participation. It includes free regional wellbeing workshops in partnership with Rural Adversity Mental Health Program, the Investing in Women Grants program and the Rural Women's Gathering.
The Rural Women's Network Skills Roadshow includes a full-day workshop for both First Aid and Mental Health in each location.
Registrations will open today for Forster, Nowra and Armidale.
To find out more and register go to nsw.gov.au/rwn-roadshow.
Minister for Regional New South Wales Tara Moriarity said:
"Knowing first aid can literally be the difference between life and death, and in regional and rural communities, where help can be further away, women are often the first on the scene.
"Nearly 400 women have already taken part, and it's great to see this training heading to even more communities, including Forster, Nowra and Armidale.
"It's not just about physical injuries either. This program gives women the skills to recognise and respond to someone experiencing a mental health problem or crisis, until professional help is available."
Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:
"Women in regional and rural communities play an important role in supporting the people around them.
"This training gives women practical skills and recognised qualifications that can help them respond when someone needs support whether it is during an emergency or if they are experiencing mental health challenges.
"By bringing free training directly to communities, the Minns Labor Government is making it easier for women to access opportunities that may not otherwise be available close to home."
St John Ambulance NSW Acting CEO, Vanessa Lorford-Smith, said:
"With nearly 400 women taking part since the Roadshow began, it's clear there is a real appetite for this training in regional and rural NSW. Taking the program to eight communities across the state means even more women will gain the First Aid and Mental Health skills to step in when it matters most.
"This continued investment reflects a shared commitment to equipping regional and rural women with practical, recognised skills thar benefit not only them, but their wider communities.
"When women feel confident and prepared, whether at home, at work or in their local community, the whole region is stronger and better."
