Between $100,000 to $250,000 per organisation, up to a total of $2 million in funding, will be available to support the needs of diverse women in NSW who experience lower workforce participation rates.

Organisations working with the following eight priority groups are eligible to apply for funding:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women
• women with disability
• carers
• older women (over 55 years)
• young women (17-24 years)
• women from culturally and linguistically diverse communities
• women living in regional, rural, and remote areas (particularly Far West NSW and North West NSW)
• women living in Western Sydney (see the eligibility criteria for the list of Local Government Areas).

Priorities under the NSW Women’s Strategy are to boost women’s economic opportunity, health and wellbeing and participation and empowerment.

Since its launch in 2023, the Return to Work Pathways Program has funded 22 successful projects and supported more than 1,000 women with their employment goals.

Tailored return-to-work projects are being delivered, addressing the barriers that prevent women re-entering the workforce and providing wraparound supports, including training, mentoring and pathways to employment.

Success stories from the previous funding round include Beacon Laundry’s Women@Work in the NSW Northern Rivers region. Beacon has created 50 jobs for local women experiencing complex barriers to employment. Participants have access to mentoring, on-the-job training, tailored wraparound supports, and pathways to mainstream employment. Women@Work aims to ensure employees are retained at Beacon or are job-ready so they can transition to mainstream employment.

Expressions of Interest for the Return to Work Pathways Program open today Monday 11 November 2024 and close on Friday 6 December 2024.

For more information on the grant program, eligibility information and details on how to apply, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/2024-25-return-to-work-pathways-program.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“Encouraging and supporting women to enter or re-enter the workforce is essential to building their confidence and wellbeing, as well as boosting the economy and benefitting families across NSW.

“Projects funded under the Return to Work Pathways program help women overcome barriers and provide them with the opportunity to secure sustainable employment that they might have otherwise missed out on.

“I encourage all eligible organisations with ideas for projects aimed at supporting pathways to employment and advancing economic participation for women in NSW to apply for a grant.”

People and Pathways at Beacon Laundry General Manager Morag Roseby said:

“This funding has allowed us to do more than provide jobs—we’re able to create a community where each woman can feel supported to address their barriers and work toward their goals.

“For many, this is the first step toward securing stable housing, achieving financial independence, and building a future they can feel excited about. Through providing a safe, welcoming space to gain confidence, learn new skills, and move forward on their own terms, we're seeing first-hand how this support is transforming lives.

“Take Terri, who at 55 years, has just secured her very first job. Terri’s disability and previous struggles with substance addiction presented barriers for past employers, forcing her into long-term unemployment. Today, Terri is thriving. She was one of our first team members to be offered a permanent part-time contract, giving her a sense of independence and financial security that before Beacon, was out of reach.”