New accommodation for the Albury Wodonga health workforce is a step closer with a builder appointed to construct the new Key Health Worker Accommodation at the Albury Hospital campus.

Zauner Construction was appointed to deliver the accommodation which will help attract, recruit and retain more healthcare workers to the region as work progresses to deliver the $558 million Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project.

The $9.5 million project is supported by $7.5 million from the Albanese Government and $2 million from the Minns Labor Government.

Each contemporary fit-for-purpose unit will be fully furnished and self-contained featuring a light-filled living and dining area, modern kitchen, bedroom, ensuite and a veranda. 

The accommodation will be conveniently located on hospital grounds, near the Regional Cancer Centre, providing a safe and comfortable environment for healthcare workers and supporting a sense of community.

The units will be built off-site and then installed on the hospital campus, reducing construction impacts to staff, patients and visitors. Work is expected to be completed in mid-2026. 

This will assist with the recruitment and retention of health workers to the Border region, which is essential to the overall success of the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project.  

Albury Wodonga Health is partnering with Health Infrastructure to deliver the project. Construction is expected to start following the statutory planning process and be completed in 2026.

The new health worker accommodation builds on the NSW, Victorian and Australian Government’s $558 million investment for the Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital project, one of the largest regional health projects currently underway in NSW and Victoria. This project will consolidate complex care on the one site, deliver more beds, more car parking and access to state-of-the-art healthcare facilities and services.

The Albanese Government’s $7.5 million commitment is part of the $80 million Albury Wodonga Regional Projects (AWRP) initiative.

For more information about the project visit: www.nsw.gov.au/awrh.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, Kristy McBain MP:

“Our $7.5 million investment in this new project is part of the Australian Government’s broader $80 million ongoing commitment to harnessing local opportunities and strengths within the Albury Wodonga region.

“This project will secure accommodation for essential healthcare workers on the hospital site to help Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital deliver better care for local communities.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Minister for Regional Health Ryan Park:

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in modern, sustainable accommodation options for key health workers who are the backbone of our regional, rural and remote communities.

“Strengthening the regional health workforce is a priority, and this investment will help Albury Wodonga Health attract and retain essential healthcare workers as they continue to deliver high-quality care.

“It’s great to see the rollout of the key worker accommodation program in Albury, which will assist to remove one of the barriers preventing healthcare workers who are looking at making the move to a regional town to live and work.”

Quotes attributable to NSW Minister Tara Moriarty, Duty NSW MLC for Albury and Wagga Wagga:

"This $9.5 million dollar initiative will play a key role in attracting and retaining healthcare professionals in Albury and around the region.

"It will provide modern, sustainable housing for health workers and support Albury Wodonga Health in delivering high-quality services."

Quotes attributable to Albury Wodonga Health Chief Executive Officer, Bill Appleby:

“This welcomed investment represents a critical step forward in strengthening our regional health workforce. 

“The ability to provide fit-for-purpose, short-term accommodation, on-site at our Albury campus is not only a practical solution to an immediate challenge – it’s also a strategic enabler in our efforts to attract, retain and support a highly skilled clinical workforce.

“We thank both the Australian and NSW governments for their commitment to regional healthcare and for recognising the importance of workforce sustainability in delivering safe, connected care for our cross-border community.”