Essential Workers Welcomed To Regional NSW

Police officers, teachers, firefighters, doctors and childcare workers are among hundreds of essential workers and their families receiving support to relocate to regional NSW thanks to a successful NSW Government initiative.

Launched by the government in June last year, The Welcome Experience has helped 511 essential workers to find a new home in the regions, settle into their communities, enrol kids in school, join sporting clubs and assist with finding a job for their partners.

The Welcome Experience is part of the NSW Government’s $25.1 million Essential Worker Attraction Program, which aims to boost essential workforces in regional NSW.

The Welcome Experience Program pilot has so far delivered the following successes:

• Close to 1,800 workers have enquired about the pilot locations - Griffith, Corowa, Broken Hill, Bega, Goulburn, Muswellbrook, Walgett and Coffs Harbour;

• Provided a vital boost to essential services in locations, by helping 511 essential workers relocate and settle into their new communities, including 224 health workers, 84 educators and 35 NSW Police staff; and

• Helped more than 227 workers move to Broken Hill, 62 to Bega, 57 to Walgett and 38 to Muswellbrook.

The program offers a concierge style service facilitated by a number of organisations including councils, local business chambers, not-for-profit organisations and community groups.

Originally piloted in Bega, Broken Hill, Coffs Harbour, Corowa, Goulburn, Griffith, Muswellbrook and Walgett, the program has been so successful it is now being rolled out to 52 Local Government Areas across the State.

The new areas include Bourke, Dubbo, Kempsey, Kiama, Orange, Queanbeyan, Shoalhaven, Tumut, Uralla, Wagga, Yass Valley.

These new locations will give essential workers considering a change, that extra nudge to get them over the line, because they will have confidence that they and their family will have choices and opportunities to fit in and be welcomed in the regions.

NSW Premier, Chris Minns said we were so lucky to live in a state with such beautiful regions, from the beaches of the South Coast to the bushes of the Central West.

“But what makes it such an incredible place to live, work, and raise a family is the strong sense of community,” Premier Minns said.

“This program is about ensuring when people make the move, whether it’s to Broken Hill or Bega, they feel welcomed and find their feet as soon as possible.

“We need skilled and essential workers in our country towns and we’re working to make it easier than ever for people considering a tree change to take that leap.”

Whether it is the pristine beaches of the Mid North Coast, the expansive plains of the Far-West or inland regional city living, the program’s new locations will offer a friendly helping hand to essential workers to move, settle their families, grow their careers and give back to their new communities.

The expansion will support the delivery of a skilled and robust essential workforce in our regions and is further proof of the NSW Government’s dedication to paving the way for stronger, more resilient communities while ensuring that every corner of the state thrives.

NSW Minister for Regional NSW and Minister for Western NSW, Tara Moriarty said locals could give insights on different locations in towns to suit housing needs or finding a reliable removalist or even knowing which cafe boasts the best cappuccino in town, and that is why The Welcome Experience pilot has been such a resounding success.

“Since I launched the program 12 months ago, 1,800 individual enquiries have been received frome essential workers who are considering moving or have made the move to the regions,” Minister Moriarty said.

“Five hundred and eleven workers and their families have already made the move and the feedback is the program was important in accepting the job offer and was vital in helping people find their feet in their new community.

“The NSW Government’s decision to expand the program shows what a difference a warm welcome can make for workers moving to a new community.

“It fosters people to grow roots in the town and be part of the community are are looking after.”

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