Katelin McInerney has created history after being sworn into NSW Parliament as the Kiama electorate's first female MP.

The former unions campaigner was officially inducted as Kiama's newest state MP, ending the long-running saga over the vacancy in the seat following her predecessor Gareth Ward being found guilty of sexual assault offences.

After finishing a narrow runner-up to Ward at the 2023 election, McInerney won the 13 September by-election in a landslide ahead of Liberal Party nominee Serena Copley.

Katelin McInerney is all smiles after entering NSW Parliament.

“It is a privilege to be sworn is as the Member for Kiama. I want to thank my local community for putting their trust in me," she said.

"I do not take it for granted for a moment.

“I am committed to being a strong local voice inside government, fighting for what our community deserves.

"The 13th member, the first woman in the position and absolutely humbled and driven to serve my community, from Nowra, Kangaroo Valley, Berry and Kiama itself.

"I am proud to be joining the NSW Labor Government under the leadership of Chris Minns and his team.

"I am grateful for the time, dedication and wisdom of so many MPs and members of the Legislative Council (and their amazing staff) who have supported me on the journey to Macquarie Street.

Labor regained the seat for the first time since 2011 when Ward, then under the Liberal Party banner before becoming an independent, claimed victory over Matt Brown.

All 12 previous state MPs have been men for the electorate - in its first incarnation from 1859-1904 and since it was reinstated in 1981 with Bill Knott and Bob Harrison representing Labor before Brown was first elected in 1999.

McInerney, who went to primary school in Minnamurra and attended Kiama High School, was previously a journalist with the Illawarra Mercury before working as an advocate for the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance as well as local not-for-profit organisation Community Industry Group.

She is setting up her electorate office at Ward's former location at 102 Terralong Street.

Members of the public are encouraged to contact her office via 4232 1082 or [email protected] until the office is officially reopened in early November.

McInerney has said that she is using her 18-month initial stint in the job as a way to prove to the Kiama electorate that she deserves to be re-elected at the next statewide election in early 2027.