The NSW Government has finalised a comprehensive Worker Support Package for employees at the six timber mills on the North Coast directly impacted by the recent moratorium on timber harvesting within the proposed boundaries of the Great Koala National Park (GKNP).

The Worker Support Package was developed in consultation with trade unions, industry, and workers to ensure it delivers meaningful, practical assistance to those directly affected.

It also extends to harvesting operators contracted by the NSW Forestry Corporation whose supply has been restricted by the moratorium.

The Package is part of the state government’s commitment to timber workers and to ensure they receive the support they need as they adjust to these changes.

It is in addition to existing redundancy entitlements, providing an added layer of financial security and transition assistance for affected workers.

The package recognises the impact on these employees and provides additional financial compensation, and practical support, to assist with re-employment or career change, and to support workers and their families through a difficult time.

Under the Minns Government’s Worker Support Package, the workers will receive:

• Top-up redundancy payments ensuring affected workers receive four weeks' base pay (inclusive of employer redundancy payment) for each year of employment with an impacted timber mill or harvesting operator, capped at $150,000.
• Additional support for employees over 45 years of age - a further three weeks of pay for every year of service after the age of 45 (up to a cap of $50,000), to be calculated separately from the top-up redundancy payment.
• Education and training payments of up to $9,000 for retraining and upskilling with a registered training organisation, as well as any associated travel costs.
• Relocation payments of up to $45,000 for affected workers who move more than 50 kilometres for new employment, including property purchase, tenancy termination fees, removalist services and other expenses.
• Free access to mental health support and financial and legal guidance through TELUS Health via phone, video, app or face-to-face.

Eligible employees are those employed on the North Coast of NSW on a full-time, part-time or casual basis who were employed on 7 September 2025 (date of the moratorium announcement) and made redundant within 18 months of that date, being 7 March 2027, as a result of this decision.

Redundancy payments and entitlements will be provided to workers by their employer in accordance with their employment contracts or enterprise agreements.

The NSW Government’s redundancy top-up payment will also be provided to the workers via the employer. Part-time and casual employees will be eligible for the redundancy payments at a pro-rata value.

Staff from the NSW Government’s Department of Primary Industry and Regional Development is meeting with affected timber mills and haulage operators and their staff to provide information about the Worker Support Package.

The Minns Government is committed to supporting workers, businesses and industry with a suite of support already announced including:

• Business Continuity payments to impacted mills to support their operations and ensure workers continued to be paid while the Worker Support Program was being finalised.
• Grants of up to $100,000 through the $5 million Forestry Industry Supply Chain Support Program to help eligible downstream businesses meet additional business costs.
• TELUS Health services providing 24/7 confidential mental health and financial counselling services to affected workers and their immediate family.
• The Rural Financial Counselling Service providing free and independent financial counselling to businesses.
• Training Services NSW providing advice on training to bridge skills gaps and helping to identify suitable job opportunities.

For information about the Worker Support Package: dpi.nsw.gov.au/gknp.

Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said, “We have worked closely with affected workers, industry and unions to ensure these payments are fair and will help meet the real costs people will face.

“These payments are about supporting workers through an incredibly difficult time, and we are committed to helping people and their families move forward with practical support.

“We will continue to work with affected workers and communities to make sure they’re supported through every stage of this transition.

“The Government understands this isn’t just about changing jobs, it is a major adjustment for families, and these payments aim to make the transition more manageable.”

Minister for the Environment, Penny Sharpe, said, “The transition of state forest to national park has an impact, and we will support affected workers as we create the Great Koala National Park.

“I want to thank the industry panel for their work over the two years of consultation on the park, and those involved in discussions around support for workers.”

Minister for the North Coast and Small Business Janelle Saffin said, “This package announced today shows our commitment to ensuring our regional workers have the support and opportunities they need to continue to contribute to their communities. 

“We have been working closely with the workers, their unions, and their employers to ensure we have a good and responsible support package that helps with their transition from the industry where they have been affected. 

“It wasn’t possible to create the Great Koala National Park without some impacts, and the decision was taken at the right scale to protect koalas and the broader ecosystem on the North Coast into the future.