Certification is an approval granted by the NSW Attorney General under section 126A of the Act, certifying special needs programs, activities or facilities that promote access for certain groups of people affected by unlawful discrimination.
You can apply for a certification for programs, activities or facilities that promote access for groups of people that have one of the characteristics protected by the Act.
Below is a list of the current certifications.
| Department or organisation | Special needs program or activity | Period of certification |
|---|---|---|
| 357 Sydney City Steam | Gay sauna venue for men. | 25.10.2018 to indefinitely |
| Aboriginal Women’s Legal Resource Centre | Aboriginal women’s legal service. | 07.07.1997 to indefinitely |
| Adult and Community Education - Byron Bay Inc and Jutta Kasper | Music course for women only. | 06.07.1999 to indefinitely |
| ActivateFit.Gym | To designate a space within its gym for women only and to provide exercise equipment, gym facilities, and fitness programs for women only. | 22.10.2024 to 21.10.2034 (10 years) |
| APRA AMCOS | To offer its female or female-identifying members and members of the public opportunity to participate in Professional Development Mentorships for Female Popular Contemporary Songwriters. | 26.07.2023 to 25.07.2033 (10 years) |
| Arc@UNSW Ltd | To provide sports and exercise programs and opportunities for women only. | 14.05.2019 to indefintely |
| Armidale Women’s Housing Group Inc | Accommodation service for women and their dependant children. | 22.06.1999 to indefinitely |
| Bankstown Women’s Refuge and Resources Centre Ltd | Refuge for women. | 22.06.1998 to indefinitely |
| Bathurst Women’s Housing Programme Inc. | Supported accommodation service for women and their accompanying children. | 14.08.1998 to indefinitely |
| Belle Fitness | To provide fitness services for females only. | 08.08.2014 to indefinitely |
| BHM Big | To provide and advertise massage therapy services for men only. | 16.09.2025 to 15.09.2035 (10 years) |
| Bodyfit Gym | To operate a gymnasium and fitness centre for men only in the Chester Hill area. | 15.03.2017 to indefinitely |
| Bodyline Spa & Sauna Pty Ltd | Gay venue for men. | 12.05.1998 to indefinitely |
| Campbelltown Legal Centre | Macarthur Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme. | 04.09.1995 to indefinitely |
| Caringbah Women’s Health Information Centre | Health services for women only. | 16.03.2000 to indefinitely |
| Carrie's Place Domestic Violence and Homelessness Services Incorporated | To provide a crisis accommodation program and associated services for women and children only. | 05.03.2021 to indefinitely |
| Chill (SYD) Pty Ltd | To offer and advertise driver training programs for Light Rigid, Medium Rigid and Heavy Rigid vehicle licences for women only. | 28.10.2021 to 27.10.2026 (5 years) |
| CHOICES | Housing program for young single women. | 22.12.1998 to indefinitely |
| City of Canterbury Bankstown | To enable it to continue providing the WimSwim program at the Roselands Leisure and Aquatic Centre and to deliver fitness sessions for women only to the community at Birrong Leisure and Aquatic Centre and Max Parker Leisure and Aquatic Centre. | 20.12.2023 to 19.12.2033 (10 years) |
| Contrary Mary Wimmin’s Refuge Inc. | Crisis accommodation for women and children experiencing domestic violence. | 10.5.2001 to indefinitely |
| Corrective Services | Gender specific classification system for female inmates. | January 1997 to indefinitely |
| Council for Ageing | Older Men: New Ideas Project. | July 1998 to indefinitely |
| Curves NSW ACT Co-op Ltd | To advertise and operate women only fitness and weight management facilities and programs. Exemption applies to all listed members (PDF, 100.9 KB). | 12.10.2012 to indefinitely |
| The Deli Women and Children's Centre Inc | To provide therapeutic services for women and to employ only female staff to provide therapeutic and children's services. | 20.02.2020 to indefinitely |
| Department of Education and Training | Work opportunities for women; career education for women. | 14.12.1998 to indefinitely |
| Department of Local Government | McIver’s Baths Coogee (women’s only baths, children to 13 years). | March 1995 to indefinitely |
| Department for Women | Rest Assured - a guide to assist rural women in finding secure and inexpensive accommodation in Sydney. | 24.02.1995 to indefinitely |
| Department for Women | Women’s Grants Program. | 13.12.1994 to indefinitely |
| Disability Council of NSW | To advertise and designate positions on the Council for people who have particular types of disabilities. | 04.10.2003 to indefinitely |
| Dubbo Emergency Accommodation Project Inc | Women’s refuge. | 04.01.2000 to indefinitely |
| Dubbo Women’s Housing Programme Inc. | Housing program for homeless women and their dependent children. | 02.12.2000 to indefinitely |
| Edie's Place Ltd. | Special needs program which employs an only female workforce and provides services and facilities exclusively to women and children. | 10.09.2023 to 09.09.2033 (10 years) |
| Elsie Refuge for Women and Children Inc. | Refuge and halfway house for women and dependent children. | 23.08.2000 to indefinitely |
| Embrace People & Place Limited | Programs run by Embrace People & Place Limited, in collaboration with its program partners, for women who have experienced prison. | 25.03.2025 to 24.03.2035 (10 years) |
| Fernwood Women's Health Clubs (Australia) Pty Ltd | To advertise and operate women only health and fitness services, with a condition of the exemption that Fernwood Women's Health Clubs (Australia) Pty Ltd is required to make public on its website an up-to-date list of its franchisees. The exemption applies to listed franchisees. | 18.06.2024 to 17.06.2034 (10 years) |
| Fthree Pty Ltd T/A the F3 Project | To provide a development program for women only to encourage and support careers in the financial services industry. | 24.01.2018 to indefinitely |
| Hard Core Gym (ACN 099 553 401) | To advertise and operate men only fitness and weight management facilities and programs. | 09.03.2015 to indefinitely |
| Hawkesbury Community Legal Centre | Hawkesbury Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme. | 04.09.1995 to indefinitely |
| Hunter Community Legal Centre | Hunter Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme. | 05.02.1996 to indefinitely |
| Infrastructure NSW | To run the NSW Government Women in Construction program. | 28.02.2023 to indefinitely |
| Jenny’s Place Inc | Refuge for women and their children only. | 15.02.1999 to indefinitely |
| Katakudu Women’s Housing Inc | Refuge for women. | 25.05.1998 to indefinitely |
| Law Society of NSW | To provide pro bono legal services to eligible Indigenous members of the NSW Chamber of Commerce. | 01.08.2014 to indefinitely |
| Legal Aid Commission | Domestic Violence Court Assistance Program. | March 1997 to indefinitely |
| Legal Aid NSW | To enable it to amend its policies to provide that Aboriginal women are eligible for legal aid in certain Local Court criminal matters when an applicant in the same circumstances who is not an Aboriginal woman would not be eligible. | 08.06.2021 to 07.06.2031 (10 years) |
| Lesbian Space Community Legal Centre | Women-only venue program. | 03.10.1996 to indefinitely |
| Liberty Domestic & Family Violence Specialist Services | To provide a crisis accommodation program and associated services for women and children only. | 24.02.2020 to indefinitely |
| Linda Matlab | To provide and advertise massage therapy services for women only. | 30.04.2021 to 29.04.2031 (10 years) |
| Lower Hunter Women’s Housing Association Inc | Housing program for women only and their accompanying children. | 03.03.1999 to indefinitely |
| Macquarie Legal Centre Inc | Parramatta Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme. | June 1995 to indefinitely |
| Maritime Industry Union Local Govt. Clerks Association and Aust Social Welfare Union (NSW Branch) | Creation of 2 women’s positions Vice President (women) and Women’s Officer (Social and Community Services). | 17.01.1995 to indefinitely |
| Moree Women’s Refuge | Ngala House. | 25.05.1998 to indefinitely |
| Mr Elkin | Women-only fitness centre | 29.04.1996 to indefinitely |
| Ms Holder & Ms McFayden | Women only bath house | 18.01.1996 to indefinitely |
| Ms Judy Laws | Female gentle exercise class. | February 1997 to indefinitely |
| Ms O’Hare | Toongabbie Leisure Centre. | 24.04.1996 to indefinitely |
| Mullimbimby Women’s Information and Support Network | Mullimbimby Domestic Violence Support Service | 13.05.1996 to indefinitely |
| Mullimbimby Neighbourhood Centre | Mullimbimby Women’s Festival. | 28.01.1997 to indefinitely |
| Murrane Women’s Housing Inc | Refuge for women and their children only. | 15.02.1999 to indefinitely |
| Newcastle Family Support Service | Mothers only and fathers only support groups. | 09.03.1998 to indefinitely |
| North Coast Festival of Women Committee | North Coast Festival of Women. | 06.03.1998 to indefinitely |
| Northern Rivers Community Legal Centre | Rural Women’s Outreach Program. | 13.05.1996 to indefinitely |
| NSW Department of State and Regional Development | To run its Women in Business Programs. | 08.08.2002 to indefinitely |
| NSW Department of Family and Community Services | To provide Domestic Violence Line services to women only. | 11.07.2016 to indefinitely |
| Office of the Status of Women | National Women’s Leadership Project run by the Australian Council of Business Women. | 22.06.1998 to indefinitely |
| Patricia Hoyle and Association | Women at work discussion and support group | January 1997 to indefinitely |
| Pop In | To run a domestic violence drop-in and case management service for women and children only. | 24.07.2021 to 23.07.2031 (10 years) |
| Premier’s Department | Spokeswoman program. | 04.10.1995 to indefinitely |
| Redfern Legal Centre | Women’s Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme. | Dec 1995 to indefinitely |
| RichmondPRA Limited trading as Flourish Australia | To provide a program which provides accommodation and support services for women and their children, including women facing homelessness and with lived/living experience of mental health conditions. | 01.04.2026 to 31.03.2036 (10 years) |
| RPA Sexual Health Service (Sydney South West Area Health Service) | To run Aboriginal men's clinic and Aboriginal women's clinic. | 21 May 2008 indefinitely |
| SaveHer Drivers Pty Ltd | To provide and promote a service that enables female drivers to elect a preference to receive requests exclusively from female riders, and to operate a ridesharing service in New South Wales for women, using female drivers only. | 26.02.2026 to 25.02.2031 (5 years) |
| Share (SMR) Learn for Life & Canterbury Aquatic Centre | Gentle exercise class for women only. | 04.11.1996 to indefinitely |
| Shebah Pty Ltd | To operate a ridesharing service in New South Wales for women, using only female drivers. | 18.08.2017 Remains in force until the certification is withdrawn |
| Shoalhaven Neighbourhood Centre | Men’s support group project. | 16.08.1996 to indefinitely |
| Sirens | Women-only nightclub and restaurant. | 18.12.1996 to indefinitely |
| Sisters Housing Enterprises Incorporated | To run a supported accommodation service as a special needs program for women and their dependent children. | 01.04.2003 to indefinitely |
| South West Sydney Legal Centre | Liverpool Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme. | 25.09.1995 to indefinitely |
| Southern Cross Uni | Xerox Shop Lismore Scholarship for women only. | 15.02.1999 to indefinitely |
| State Bank NSW | Women’s development training program. | May 1995 to indefinitely |
| Stepping Out Housing Program | Accommodation program. | 01.10.1998 to indefinitely |
| Strata Community Association NSW | Mentorship program for strata professionals aspiring to a board position for females only. | 28.11.2019 to indefinitely |
| Supported Accommodation and Homelessness Services Shoalhaven Illawarra | The provision of crisis and transition accommodation to women and their dependent in the Shoalhaven District. | Indefinite period |
| TAFE | To run Certificate II in Career Education and Employment for Women and Statement of Attainment - Work Opportunities for Women. | 14.12.98 to indefinitely |
| TAFE NSW | to advertise and deliver the courses in the Access Employment Education and Training Qualifications package for women only. | 10.01.2007 to indefinitely |
| TAFE NSW | The Women in Business Program is certified as a special needs program or activity under the Act to enable it to provide free online business education and support services for women only. | 28.01.2020 to indefinitely |
| The Man Centre | To provide psychology, counselling and allied health services for men only. | 05.07.2018 to indefinitely |
| Total Image Fitness | Women’s only fitness centre. | 15.02.1999 to indefinitely |
| Toukley Women’s Refuge Inc | SAAP for women. | 17.07.1998 to indefinitely |
| Tweed Shire Women’s Service Inc. | Health centre for women only. | 28.01.2001 to indefinitely |
| Uber | To provide and promote a feature allowing female drivers to elect a preference to receive requests from female riders | 19.08.2022 to indefinitely |
| Victress Connection | Membership and professional development course for women only. | 28.11.2019 to indefinitely |
| Westpac Banking Corporation | For programs run by Westpac Banking Corporation and in collaboration with its program partners, to fund, sponsor, run, advertise, and promote women in entrepreneurship and in business. | 10.02.2025 to 09.02.2035 (10 years) |
| WILMA women’s health centre | Women only medical centre. | 09.03.1998 to indefinitely |
| Wimlah Refuge | Refuge for women. | 25.05.1998 to indefinitely |
| Wollongong West Street Centre | To enable it to provide trauma counselling services for women and children only and to advertise for, and employ, women only for all staff positions, for a period of 10 years. | 08.06.2021 to 07.06.2031 (10 years) |
| Women in Community Legal Housing Ltd | Housing program for women over 45 years. | 10.12.1998 to indefinitely |
| Women for Election Australia Ltd (WFEA) | To provide it's EQUIP Program, Masterclasses, Regional Roadshows and scholarship tickets for these, to women only. | 22.11.2022 to indefinitely |
| Women’s Health NSW (ABN 51392 627 790) | Covers member associations. See attached list | 25.05.1998 to indefinitely |
| Women’s Housing Company Ltd | Accommodation services for single women. | 23.09.1999 to indefinitely |
| Women’s Legal Resources Ltd | Women’s Legal Resources Centre. | 04.08.1995 to indefinitely |
| Women’s Support Network | Local Women’s Day Festival. | 28.04.1999 to indefinitely |
| Yawarra Meamei Women's Group | Women's refuge. | 16.03.2012 to indefinitely |
| Young Peoples Refuge Inc | Refuge for young women aged 13-17 years. | 12.05.1998 to indefinitely |
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