NSW announces $1m mental health and resilience package after Bondi terror attack

The NSW government has announced a further $1 million in funding for Jewish community mental health and resilience programs following the deadly antisemitic terrorist attack on a Chanukah celebration in Bondi Beach on 14 December, 2025.

This marks a shift from immediate recovery measures to longer-term support focused on healing, wellbeing, and community strength. The attack, carried out by two gunmen at Archer Park during a Chanukah event attended by around 1,000 people, killed 15 civilians and injured dozens more.

It has left deep trauma across the Jewish community, particularly among families, school students, and those who witnessed or were directly affected by the violence.

The funding, to be delivered through 24 community-led grants, will prioritise trauma-informed mental health services for children, teenagers and young adults, alongside support programs for seniors and vulnerable members of the community, including Holocaust survivors for whom the attack triggered painful memories. It will be administered by Multicultural NSW in partnership with the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies.

This $1 million package forms part of a broader NSW and federal government response to the attack, which has included millions of dollars in victim support, security enhancements at Jewish sites, expanded mental health services in the eastern suburbs, targeted assistance for small businesses, and the appointment of coordinators general to oversee recovery efforts.

The new funding comes as the psychological impact of the December 2025 attack continues to reverberate through the Jewish community. Multiculturalism Minister Steve Kamper said the funding recognised that the harm caused by the attack extended well beyond the immediate aftermath.

“This is about dignity, compassion and practical help, delivered by the community for the community,” Kamper said. “Our responsibility is to stand alongside the Jewish community and help them recover.

“This attack has shaken our entire state and caused unimaginable pain for our Jewish community. We know the impacts will be long-lasting, and it’s critical that we provide support quickly and in a way that people trust.”

Unlike earlier recovery rounds, which focused on small businesses, emergency assistance and rapid response measures, the latest funding is aimed squarely at mental health and resilience, particularly for younger people navigating trauma, fear and a heightened sense of vulnerability.

Programs to be supported include trauma-informed counselling for teenagers and young adults, after-school resilience and wellbeing workshops for children, and culturally appropriate mental health support for older Jewish Australians, including those living in aged care.

David Ossip, president of the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, said the funding acknowledged the depth and duration of the emotional toll the attack had taken.

“The trauma of the Bondi terrorist attack on the Jewish community is simply incalculable. The hurt and the loss are profound,” Ossip said.

“Now more than ever, we need everyone to come together. Now is a time for unity. Now is a time for us to spread light and to unequivocally call for an end to antisemitism. Our Jewish community needs support, and we are determined that light will triumph over darkness.”

Ossip said the response from the broader Australian public had played an important role in helping the community begin to process what had occurred.

“The Jewish community has been deeply moved by Australians from all walks of life wrapping their arms around us in the aftermath of the attack and offering support in any way they could,” he said.

“Though we are all in shock and deeply sad, we are also resilient. These programs will play a crucial role as our community continues the long process of healing.”

In the days following the attack, NSW Health deployed additional clinicians to Bondi and surrounding areas, strengthened crisis helplines, and expanded access to counselling and psychological services. The latest funding builds on that foundation by placing delivery in the hands of trusted Jewish organisations with experience in culturally sensitive care.

Acting chief executive of Multicultural NSW James Jegasothy said that approach was critical to ensuring support reached those who needed it most.

“Jewish organisations have always provided culturally sensitive and effective services to their community,” Jegasothy said. “These services are even more important right now, and we’re pleased to support the community with funding during a very difficult time.”

He said community-led delivery helped reduce barriers to access, particularly for people who might be reluctant to seek help through mainstream services.

The funding announcement also follows a series of government statements, interfaith meetings, and a National Day of Mourning emphasising solidarity with the Jewish community and a united stand against antisemitism in the wake of the attack.

Kamper said that the broader message of unity remained central to the government’s approach.

“In the wake of this horrific attack, it is more important than ever that the Jewish community in NSW knows they do not stand alone,” he said in a separate statement. “Every community leader, every faith leader, must be unambiguous in their support of our Jewish community.”

The focus on children and young people reflects concerns raised by educators, parents and mental health professionals about the impact of the attack on students already grappling with anxiety linked to rising antisemitism and global events.

Community organisations have reported increased demand for counseling, wellbeing programs and peer support, particularly among teenagers and young adults struggling with fear, anger and grief.

Senior members of the community have also been identified as a priority group, with aged care providers noting heightened distress among Holocaust survivors and others for whom the attack triggered painful memories and renewed feelings of insecurity.

By targeting multiple age groups, the funding aims to support the community as a whole, recognising that trauma often manifests differently across generations but can be deeply interconnected within families.

The announcement has been welcomed by Jewish leaders as an important signal that mental health recovery is being treated as a long-term priority rather than a short-term response.

While no amount of funding can undo the harm caused by the attack, community representatives say sustained investment in mental health and resilience is essential to ensuring people are not left to cope alone once public attention fades.

As programs begin rolling out in the coming months, both government and community leaders have stressed that recovery will take time, patience and ongoing commitment.

“This is not something that can be fixed overnight,” Ossip said. “But with the right support, delivered with care and understanding, our community can continue to heal and to move forward together.”