The funds are available for community initiatives which align with SafeWork NSW or NSW Fair Trading regulatory priorities.
This includes programs focussed on protecting consumers from unsafe products, scams and unfair business practices as well as initiatives on work health and safety issues, reducing serious injuries, illness and fatalities in NSW workplaces.
Successful applicants in 2022 included an organisation which produced a radio program to raise consumer awareness which broadcast in Tamil language, while another held workshops on consumer rights to empower multicultural community members living with disability.
Another initiative includes an intervention program targeted at the Mandarin-speaking communities of greater Sydney to improve awareness of hazards in the air and the safe use of respiratory protection for workers in the manufactured stone sector.
Applications are now open for organisations considering staging events and activities between 1 July to 31 December 2023.
The deadline for submitting an application is 5pm on 30 April 2023. Applications for sponsorship will be considered for eligible initiatives that can deliver against the program’s assessment criteria.
The funding is administered by the Better Regulation Division within the Department of Customer Service.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Better Regulation and Fair Trading Anoulack Chanthivong:
“Better regulation only works if people know about it, so this is critical. This is a great initiative to boost awareness in communities that sometime miss out on hearing important messages about their rights as consumers and workers.
“Whether it’s First Nations people, those in the regions, people with disability, or culturally and linguistically diverse communities, we want them to hear these messages in the language they prefer and through the channels they use.
“Our priority will be initiatives which demonstrate long-term self-sustaining benefits, but we are open to all ideas.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Work Health and Safety Sophie Cotsis:
“No matter who you are, where you live and what your background is, your safety at work is essential.
“This funding will give local groups and not-for-profits the tools to encourage positive work health and safety habits throughout their communities.
“I urge all eligible applicants to make a submission and think outside of the box. The best way to protect our workers and save lives is through creative collaboration between government, unions, industry and the public.”
