A new wellbeing nurse position is being rolled out in schools across the state to provide care and support for students. 

After a successful pilot program in six different communities across the state, the NSW Government has committed to creating roles for 87 school wellbeing nurses, which will cover various towns across the Western Plains in base and outreach capacities. 

The role is designed to play a crucial role for families and students in identifying health and social needs and then connecting them with the appropriate services.



According to an evaluation of the pilot program that began in 2018, their assistance in helping navigating the health and social service system sets the wellbeing nurses apart from other wellbeing roles in schools. 

“...a child in Year 1 that is clearly ADHD with a single mum and no transport, no money, how do you get those people to a paediatrician…so (the wellbeing nurse) provides that service,” a school executive reported back within the evaluation.  

In 2021-22, more than 3,400 primary and secondary school students were seen by a wellbeing nurse, with the majority of students living in rural and regional NSW.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said that the wellbeing nurses are an invaluable addition to support staff within the school. 

“Wellbeing Nurses are trusted figures within the school community, who provide a safe and confidential place for children, young people and their families to seek advice about health and wellbeing supports,” Ms Mitchell said.  

“Our schools have really benefited from the Wellbeing Nurses’ expertise, which has helped improve the coordination of care for students, by facilitating access to health services and reducing the workload for school staff who support student wellbeing,” she said. 

Wellbeing Nurse Wendy White said that through collaborating with the school counsellor service and staff, schools have been better equipped to match students with support agencies in the community. 

“We’re also helping students to become more aware of the mental health support services within their communities, by building the skills they will need once they leave school, setting them up for better self-advocacy both now and into their adult years,” Ms White said.

“The schools I work with have embraced the health service working within the school space. The collaborative approach has been such a boost for students and their families.” 

The NSW Government has committed $46.8 million over four years to June 2024 to fund 100 wellbeing nurses, who are employed by NSW Health and co-located in select metropolitan, regional and rural public schools.