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    Media release

    TAFE NSW Tomaree | 10 October 2025

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    Tackling Tomaree regional care shortages with job-ready graduates

    “School wasn’t a good experience for me, but my TAFE NSW teacher Hayley completely changed my mind.”

    Natalie Lucas, TAFE NSW graduate

    TAFE NSW Tomaree Connected Learning Centre (CLC) is addressing workforce shortages across aged care and disability sectors. Training is underway in the Hunter New England for a new wave of local, skilled workers.

    Demand continues to grow for healthcare and social assistance workers, with more than 580,000 new jobs predicted by 2034. The TAFE NSW Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing & Disability) gives students the practical training they need to transition directly into local jobs and long-term careers.

    For Tomaree local Natalie Lucas, the course offered not just a career path, but a life-changing experience.

    “I’d put off studying for years,” said Natalie. “School wasn’t a good experience for me, but my TAFE NSW teacher Hayley completely changed my mind. Her teaching style was so inclusive and interactive, no judgment, just real support. It made all the difference.”

    TAFE NSW teacher Hayley Strath and graduate Natalie Lucas stand together, smiling, in front of a black TAFE NSW backdrop.

    Following work placements at local facilities, Natalie was hired by disability employment provider On the Move Allied Health and Support Services. She plans to enrol in the Diploma of Nursing through TAFE NSW to grow her healthcare career.

    “The placements really opened my eyes. You can’t fully prepare for what it's like until you're there, but the in-class training gave me such a strong foundation. It made me realise how rewarding this work is, and now I can’t imagine doing anything else,” she said. 

    TAFE NSW teacher and registered nurse, Hayley Strath, has been delivering the Certificate III in Individual Support at TAFE NSW Tomaree CLC for the past 18 months. She says the program’s success lies in its strong local connections and supportive learning environment. 

    “We may be a small facility, but we are mighty in our delivery and results,” Hayley said. “We’re preparing students for real-world jobs with the same tools and equipment they’ll use in the workplace. They are completing training with us and going on to deliver care, right in the heart of their local community.” 

    Placement opportunities have grown significantly, thanks to partnerships with local organisations including Regis Aged Care, Uniting and Calvary Tanilba Shores. These facilities provide practical experience in real care environments. They are often quick to offer students employment after seeing their passion and preparedness. 

    Over half of students in the most recent TAFE NSW Tomaree CLC cohort secured jobs at the facilities where they completed their work placements. 

    Anne MacLeod, a local care sector manager, said the program is helping employers find much-needed staff, while giving students a meaningful start in a values-driven industry. 

    “We’re seeing students not only build confidence and competence during their placements but also form strong professional relationships that often lead directly to ongoing roles.” 

    As workforce shortages continue to affect aged care and disability services across regional NSW, the partnership between local providers and TAFE NSW remains vital to strengthening the community. 

    “Being able to study just 10 minutes from home made all the difference,” Natalie said. “This course gave me a clear path, a job, and the confidence to keep going. I’m proud of what I’ve achieved.” .

    Media contact: Rachel Ecclestone, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, 02 7920 5000.

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