Information about the Bondi Beach attack that occurred on Sunday, 14 December 2025, provided by the NSW Government
NSW Government Statement, Monday December 15 2025
NSW is a welcoming and connected society. One which respects the differing views, backgrounds and cultures that make us stronger.
This incident was designed to target Sydney’s Jewish community on the first day of Hanukkah, which should have been a night of peace and joy.
Incidents targeting our Jewish communities have no place in our society.
We recognise the distress these types of incidents have and how they impact the wellbeing of individuals and our communities, particularly children and young people.
Hate and violence will not be tolerated. Threats against any part of our society are a challenge for us all.
Together we are stronger and can ensure that no one falls victim to these hateful influences.
Every person deserves to feel safe in NSW.
Members of the public can contact the Public Information & Enquiry Centre on 1800 227 228 for information relating to people impacted by the Bondi Beach Terrorism Incident.
Victims Supports Services
Victims Support Scheme
The Victims Support Scheme provides counselling, financial assistance and a recognition payment to victims of an act of violence in NSW.
Support is available through the scheme for the families of those who have lost their lives and those who have been affected by the violent acts at Bondi Beach on 14 December 2025.
For information on how to access support:
Victims Services has established a dedicated phone line for victims and family members of victims of the Bondi Beach incident. Please call 1800 411 822 from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.
What support is available?
The Victims Support Scheme provides:
- Counselling to help victims recover from the psychological and emotional impacts of a crime.
- Financial assistance for immediate needs to help cover urgent health, safety or security expenses resulting from the violent crime.
- Financial assistance for economic loss to cover other expenses resulting from a violent crime.
- Assistance to pay for funeral expenses on behalf of family members of a homicide victim.
- A recognition payment to acknowledge the violent crime.
Who can access victims support?
The type of support available for those who have been impacted by the acts of violence at Bondi Beach will depend on their situation:
- Primary victims who have been injured can access:
- Counselling
- Financial assistance for immediate needs
- Financial assistance for economic loss
- A recognition payment.
- Secondary victims who are witnesses can access counselling.
- A parent, step-parent or guardian of a child who was injured can access counselling and financial assistance for economic loss that directly resulted from the act of violence.
- Family victims (an immediate family member of a homicide victim) can access:
- counselling
- financial assistance for immediate needs
- financial assistance for justice-related expenses
- financial assistance to help with funeral expenses of the victim
- Eligible family victims may also receive a recognition payment.
- A relative of a homicide victim, not considered a family victim, who is affected by the victim’s death (extended family member) can access counselling.
For general information about support available to victims of violent crime, contact Victims Services, at the Department of Communities and Justice:
- Call the Victims Access Line on 1800 633 063 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5pm).
- Email Victims Services at vs@dcj.nsw.gov.au
- Visit the Victims Services website
- Find useful resources:
- Victims Support Scheme Quick Guide for primary victims, secondary victims and parents, step-parents and guardians of a child victim
- Victims Support Scheme fact sheet for family victims and family members
- Understanding the Victims Support Scheme – an Easy Read Guide.
- Bondi Beach incident victims support fact sheet (PDF 125.4KB)
Mental health support:
NSW Health, alongside other agencies, will provide mental health support to anyone impacted by the tragic incident.
Trained disaster mental health support clinicians will be available on the ground at Bondi for the local community.
NSW Health staff will be visible at Bondi Beach over the coming days and weeks. These staff will be mobile and identified by NSW Health vests.
We urge members of the community who are feeling any distress to make themselves known to these mental health clinicians.
- The community can also call the NSW Health’s dedicated Mental Health Line, which is available 24/7 on 1800 011 511.
- If you, or someone in your care, needs crisis support, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
- Children and young people can call Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 or chat online at kidshelpline.com.au.
- For non-crisis support, please talk to your GP or other trusted health or mental health professional.
- You can also call Beyond Blue for mental health advice and support on 1300 22 46 36.
How you can support: Online Condolence Book
We know that people will be wanting express love and sympathies.
An online condolence book has been made available by the NSW Government here.
This Webpage will be also be updated
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Messages-Statements
From His Majesty, King Charles III, to the people of Australia following the anti-semitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.
The Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia: Sunday night, December 14 2025:
I am joined tonight by Nigel Ryan, the Acting Deputy Commissioner for National Security for the AFP, and Mike Burgess, the Director-General of ASIO. And we don't normally talk and confirm meetings of the National Security Committee, but I think at this moment it is appropriate to tell Australians that the National Security Committee was convened as a matter of urgency and we have just come from it.
This afternoon, there has been a devastating terrorist incident at Bondi at the Chanukah by the Sea celebration. This is a targeted attack on Jewish Australians on the first day of Chanukah, which should be a day of joy, a celebration of faith. An act of evil, antisemitism, terrorism that has struck the heart of our nation.
An attack on Jewish Australians is an attack on every Australian, and every Australian tonight will be like me, devastated by this attack on our way of life.
There is no place for this hate, violence and terrorism in our nation. Let me be clear - we will eradicate it. Amidst this vile act of violence and hate will emerge a moment of national unity where Australians across the board will embrace their fellow Australians of Jewish faith. At this dark moment for our nation, our police and security agencies are working to determine anyone associated with this outrage. Our agencies will provide you with factual updates as quickly as possible as they continue to emerge.
The evil that was unleashed at Bondi Beach today is beyond comprehension, and the trauma and loss that families are dealing with tonight is beyond anyone's worst nightmare. Australians have had their lives cruelly stolen and many have been injured for all Australians, our first thoughts are with those in the terrible early hours of their grief.
We are also thinking of everyone being treated for their injuries and many of whom are alive right now because of the courage and quick action of the NSW Police and the first responders who rushed to their aid, as well as the courage of everyday Australians who without hesitating, put themselves in danger in order to keep their fellow Australians safe.
We have seen Australians today run towards danger in order to help others. These Australians are heroes, and their bravery has saved lives.
As Prime Minister, I say on behalf of all Australians to the Jewish community, we stand with you. We embrace you and we reaffirm tonight that you have every right to be proud of who you are and what you believe.
You have the right to worship and study and live and work in peace and safety. And you enrich us as a nation. You should never have to endure the loss that you have suffered today. You should never know the fear that you know tonight. We will dedicate every resource required to making sure you are safe and protected.
You are Australian and all Australians are with you today and every day. My fellow Australians, I say tonight that there are nights that tear at our nation's soul in this moment of darkness.
We must be each other's light. Hold on to the true character of the country that we love. Australia is stronger than the cowards who attacked innocent people today. Australia is braver than those who seek to make us afraid. Australia will never submit to division, violence or hatred. We will see justice done and we will come through this together.
Allegra Spender, Federal MP for Wentworth: December 15, 2025 - Statement on shooting in Bondi
Yesterday was one of the darkest days in Australian history.
Our country is built on the safety and acceptance of all - regardless of faith, ethnicity, or sexuality.
Yesterday’s dreadful murders are the worst nightmare of Jewish Australians, and all of us who are proud of what our country stands for.
This is the day we must all stop being complacent about what it takes to preserve our beautiful tolerant country, and actively pursue our cohesion.
We must be steadfast and strong, but not reactionary.
At a personal level, I urge everyone to reach out to every Jewish Australian they know and say, I am here for you, I have your back.
Bondi Beach will remain closed today. Please avoid the area, follow police orders and do not cross police lines.
My Edgecliff office is open this week for anyone in the community needing support.
Executive Council of Australian Jewry: Terror attack on Bondi Chanukah event Statement, 14 December 2025
ECAJ statement following the terrorist attack on the Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach in Sydney.
The Jewish community is in mourning following the massacre of innocent Australians including Jews celebrating the festival of Chanukah.
We express our heartfelt sorrow and condolences to the families of those who were coldly and calculatedly slain in a terrorist attack of unfathomable evil, and our wishes for a complete and speedy recovery to those injured.
We express our profound gratitude to the police, first responders and courageous citizens whose actions prevented even greater loss of life.
We acknowledge the strong words of the Prime Minister and Premier of NSW and their commitment to eradicate the evil of antisemitism in Australia.
The time for talking is over. We need decisive leadership and action now to eradicate the scourge of antisemitism from Australia’s public life, for which the Jewish community has long been advocating. Government’s first duty is to keep its citizens safe.
The shooting attack targeted the Jewish community but it took place at Bondi Beach, the people’s beach, on what should have been a carefree summer’s day. It was an attack on all Australians, our freedoms and our way of life.
Zali Steggall MP: statement on terrorist attack at Bondi
14 December 2025
Like all Australians, I am deeply distressed by the attack at Bondi.
My thoughts are with the victims, their families and loved ones, and with emergency services personnel.
Sunday 14 December was a Jewish day of celebration. Police believe the attack was targeted at a Jewish Hanukkah gathering and have declared this a terrorist incident. I want to state unequivocally that antisemitism and hatred have no place in our community. I stand in solidarity with the Jewish community at this devastating time.
I urge the public to refrain from sharing graphic images or footage of the incident, as doing so can cause further harm and distress.
If you are feeling impacted by this incident, please seek support. Confidential assistance is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14 and Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636.
Waverly Council Bondi Beach closed as Waverley mourns and investigations continue
15 December 2025
The entire Waverley community mourns this devastating loss of life and horrific display of senseless violence.
This is a senseless, depraved and deplorable terror attack on the Jewish community. To kill and maim innocent attendees at a Jewish event to celebrate one of the most important events on the Jewish calendar, within a suburb known for its proud Jewish community, must be condemned in the strongest terms.
We pray for the victims of this senseless violence and pray for those injured.
Everything possible must be done to protect and support our Jewish community during this time.
Council sends its sincere thanks and gratitude to the enormous number of police and emergency service personnel who responded swiftly to Bondi Beach.
We also commend the extraordinary bravery of community first responders, including surf lifesavers, Council staff and community members, who came to the immediate assistance of some of the wounded.
Many ran towards danger to render first aid and help bystanders shelter. Many have remained at the scene into the night, assisting police and emergency services.
Council will continue to assist NSW Police with their investigation into this attack.
The public are requested not to visit Bondi Beach on Monday. Council will be closing the beach while investigations continue.
Information about NSW Government resources and support: https://www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/bondi-beach-attackThis external link will open in a new window
A note from Mayor Will Nemesh:
''This is a despicable and cowardly display of terror targeted at our Waverley community, and in particular our Jewish community.
We grieve and mourn the victims of this violence and pray for all those impacted.
We thank and recognise all those who put their lives on the line to protect innocent civilians today.
As a community, we must stand firm together in solidarity to honour the victims and support each other during this tragic time.''
