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Grafton Key Health Worker Accommodation
Published: 30 Mar 2026

The Grafton community is set to benefit from new key health worker accommodation, which will help attract and retain essential healthcare staff to the region as part of the Minns Labor Government’s $200.1 million program.

This major investment will deliver 20 Key Health Worker Accommodation projects in rural, regional and remote NSW as the government rebuilds and supports healthcare staff across the state.

The accommodation at Grafton is part of the $34.2 million investment in Northern NSW under the statewide program, with projects also underway at Lismore and Tweed.

The project will refurbish buildings at the former minimum-security wing of the old Grafton Gaol site to create 36 modern, self-contained one-bedroom units for healthcare staff, as well as new onsite car parking spaces. 

Refurbishment work on Stage 1 is expected to begin in mid-2026, subject to statutory planning approvals and the appointment of a contractor and is expected to be completed by early 2027. 

The site has capacity for refurbishment of a second block which will add an additional 36 units in the future. 

The new units will be adjacent to two new administration blocks, currently also being refurbished on the old Grafton Gaol site to accommodate administrative staff from the hospital, as part of the enabling works for the $263.8 million Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment.

Both projects will pave the way for the existing accommodation and administrative services on the existing hospital campus to be demolished and used for new and expanded clinical facilities as part of the Grafton Base Hospital Redevelopment.

In line with planning requirements, community feedback on the key health worker accommodation is now being sought through a Review of Environmental Factors (REF) process. Have your say before Monday, 27 April 2026 on the NNSWLHD Engage platform.

Consultation is also being undertaken with immediate neighbours and stakeholder groups. 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The Minns Labor Government is delivering on the responsible long-term reforms to rebuild a health system for the future.

“We are committed to strengthening our regional, rural and remote workforce and this project is creating new accommodation for health workers in Grafton to do just that.

“Ensuring housing facilities are modern, comfortable, and affordable is vital to attracting and retaining healthcare workers in remote, regional and rural areas.

“This is why we are investing $200.1 million to deliver more key health worker accommodation in Northern NSW and across NSW.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for the North Coast Janelle Saffin:

“We know that housing is one of the biggest hurdles in attracting skilled staff to our regions. 

"By delivering 36 new, high-quality units right here in Grafton, we are making it easier for nurses, doctors, and allied health staff to choose the North Coast as the place to live, work and play."

Quotes attributable to Labor spokesperson for Clarence Emily Suvaal MLC:

“This is a commonsense reuse of the facilities at the old Grafton Gaol site, located so conveniently to the hospital and other amenities.

“We know that availability of accommodation can be a barrier to key health workers relocating to the regions, so this investment will really assist workers looking to move to Grafton.”

Quotes attributable to NNSWLHD Chief Executive Tracey Maisey:

“It is exciting to see work underway to provide new accommodation facilities for our healthcare workers in Grafton.

“Offering accommodation onsite allows us to attract nurses, doctors and allied health professionals to Grafton at a time when the lack of affordable housing options in northern NSW is a significant issue.

“This is an important step in the overall redevelopment of Grafton Base Hospital which will have a significant, positive impact on the health and well-being of the Grafton community for years to come.”