Additional paramedics deployed to Tea Gardens as regional ambulance workforce grows

newy.com.au – Seventeen additional paramedics are now based at Tea Gardens Ambulance Station, bolstering frontline emergency and out-of-hospital care across the Hunter New England area.

The new clinicians form part of NSW Ambulance’s highly mobile workforce and are part of the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to deliver 500 additional paramedics to rural and regional communities across the state.

The Tea Gardens deployment marks the third intake under the regional 500 initiative, following 125 paramedics who commenced in regional NSW in 2025 and another 125 who began work in 2024. The government said the remaining positions would continue to be rolled out next year, with future locations to be determined through NSW Ambulance workforce planning and consultation with staff and the Health Services Union.

Health Minister Ryan Park said the additional staff would strengthen emergency health services in regional communities.

“The Minns Government is strengthening emergency health services in regional communities by adding more paramedics to the frontline,” Mr Park said.

“After 12 years of neglect by the Coalition, we are focused on rebuilding the health workforce that keeps our essential services running.”

Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley said the added paramedics would support the needs of the growing Tea Gardens community.

“From day one as Minister for the Hunter, my focus has been to make sure growing communities like Tea Gardens get the health services they need and today’s announcement is real progress on that front,” Ms Catley said.

Member for Port Stephens Kate Washington said the new positions would add to recent ambulance staffing growth in the region.

“This is great news for Port Stephens – with 17 additional paramedics in Tea Gardens on top of the 25 new paramedics who now call Medowie Ambulance Station home, our growing community will be well served into the future,” Ms Washington said.

NSW Ambulance chief executive Dr Dominic Morgan said the expansion would increase the service’s capacity to respond to emergencies and support teams across regional NSW.