Schools are supported to focus on the development of quality teaching, learning and engagement. The focus is on being responsive to the needs of schools and incorporating wellbeing into planning and processes.

The department provides a range of initiatives to support wellbeing in schools – follow the links in the menu for more information.

Wellbeing and Health In-reach Nurse Coordinator (WHINC) Program

About the program

The Wellbeing and Health In-Reach Nurse Coordinator (WHINC) program is a partnership between NSW Health and the NSW Department of Education.

The program establishes a Wellbeing nurse to work in selected schools to identify health and social concerns for students and their families and facilitate their access to health care.

Wellbeing nurses are an additional support within schools and work as part of a whole school approach to student health and wellbeing.

The wellbeing nurse role

A wellbeing nurse:

• works across schools and health and community settings,
• establishes relationships with key service providers,
• accesses health resources and medical record systems,
• supports students and families to access services.

They work closely with, and are part of, the schools' broader learning and support and wellbeing teams.

Wellbeing nurse locations

Wellbeing nurses typically work across all types of public schools, including primary, secondary, central, connected communities and schools for specific purposes. The roles are positioned to align with the Local Health District (LHD) that employs them.

As of March 2024, 95 wellbeing nurses are working across more than 350 NSW public schools. (Information supplied by NSW Health)

For information about which schools have a wellbeing nurse under the program, download the list of schools.

Contact us

For any other questions about the Wellbeing and Health In-reach Nurse Coordinator program in NSW public schools, please contact the Student Health and Mental Wellbeing team by sending an email to student.health@det.nsw.edu.au

National Student Wellbeing Program (NSWP)

The National Student Wellbeing Program is a Commonwealth-funded initiative to support the emotional wellbeing of students and the broader school community through the provision of pastoral care and/or wellbeing support services through a school chaplain or student wellbeing officer.

It replaces the former National School Chaplaincy Program 2020-2022.

Participation in the National Student Wellbeing Program is voluntary for both schools and students.

Under the program, schools can apply for up to $20,280 per annum (or $24,336 for remote schools) to engage a prequalified provider for a chaplaincy service or student wellbeing officer. The funding goes directly to schools, with 20% able to be set aside by providers for associated administration costs.

For more information about the program, please visit the National Student Wellbeing Program page.

Student Wellbeing Boost

In 2023 all schools across NSW will receive one-off funding for extra mental health and wellbeing resources and initiatives through the Commonwealth ’s Student Wellbeing Boost.

The Student Wellbeing Boost supports schools to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and successive lockdowns on the mental health and wellbeing of their students.

Through the Student Wellbeing Boost schools can purchase new programs, services or resources or use the funds to supplement existing initiatives supporting the specific needs of their students.

For more information about this funding visit the Student Wellbeing Boost webpage.