18 March 2026: A Mini Woolies has opened at TAFE NSW Casino to support local students with disabilities as they gain job-ready skills.
The site is the first in the Northern Rivers region for the Mini Woolies program, and the 10th with TAFE NSW in a vocational education and training (VET) facility.
Rather than a fully operational store, a converted classroom has been set up to simulate the operations of an actual Woolworths supermarket, with baskets for fresh food, shelving for groceries, ticketing, signage and Woolworths branded uniforms, as well as two registers.
The site will serve as an accessible and safe learning space for dozens of local students currently completing nationally recognised units from Certificate I in Retail. Students will use the space to practice checkout processes, receiving and handling stock, and communicating with customers.
Sarah Corey, General Manager of Mini Woolies and Domain Enablement Group, said: “We are excited to bring the first Mini Woolies to the Northern Rivers region through our partnership with TAFE NSW Casino.
“Through our partnership with TAFE NSW, we have seen nine additional sites set up across the state, offering students with disabilities the chance to practice retail skills in an interactive learning environment. We look forward to seeing how it will help students in Casino and the surrounding area build their skills and confidence as they work toward new job opportunities in the future.”
Chloe Read, Managing Director of TAFE NSW, said: “The Mini Woolies site at TAFE NSW Casino is a milestone moment. Since 2023, we’ve seen the difference this initiative makes for students with disability, giving them a chance to explore career pathways, develop practical skills, and see what they’re capable of achieving.
“We’re excited to offer this training program to the Casino community and connect more people with inclusive, hands-on learning opportunities that prepare them for the workplace.”
The Hon. Janelle Saffin MP, Minister for the North Coast, said: “For the North Coast, rebuilding means more than just infrastructure; it means investing in our people through education and specialised training. By equipping locals with job-ready skills in a supported environment, we are strengthening our regional economy and creating resilient pathways to work.
“This initiative proves that when we prioritise accessible training, we create a more inclusive workforce that benefits every business and resident in the North Coast.
“Good on TAFE for creating these partnerships in programs for the benefit of our locals.”
The new Mini Woolies at TAFE NSW Casino campus joins over 115 sites across Australia and New Zealand. In partnership with Fujitsu, the Woolworths program recently marked seven years since its inception.
Peter Grassi, Chief Executive Officer of Fujitsu in Oceania, said: "At Fujitsu, we believe technology should make a positive difference in people’s lives. Our partnership with the ‘Mini Woolies’ program helps bring this unique learning experience across Australia and New Zealand. It creates a safe and authentic space at TAFE NSW in Casino where young people can gain the skills and confidence to participate fully in community life."
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