The State Government has announced an expansion of its essential workers attraction program, The Welcome Experience, with a renewed focus on strengthening services across the New England region.
The program will grow from 55 to 88 local government areas (LGAs) statewide, including further support for communities across Northern Inland and Northern New England, where workforce shortages in health, education and emergency services have been particularly acute.
Since its launch in 2023 as a pilot across 11 LGAs, The Welcome Experience has supported 3,020 essential workers to relocate to regional NSW, including 73 in Northern New England.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said the expansion would help address critical workforce gaps.
“The Welcome Experience is a demonstration of the Minns Government’s commitment to rebuilding essential services in regional NSW and helping ease pressure within our health, education and emergency services systems.
“Our Government has sensibly first piloted the program to verify its capabilities and then methodically grown the coverage of The Welcome Experience service to keep delivering results.
“Helping more than 3,020 nurses, teachers, vets, police and paramedics make the move to 55 local government areas is a strong mark of a successful program and that’s why we will now expand to cover 88 LGAs and keep building our essential services.”
Under the expansion, additional Northern Inland LGAs—including Gunnedah, Gwydir, Narrabri, Liverpool Plains, Tenterfield and Walcha—will be included, extending the program’s reach across the broader New England area.
The program provides free, tailored support to essential workers and their families considering or accepting roles in sectors such as health, aged care, education, veterinary services, policing and emergency services.
On average, each worker relocating to regional NSW contributes an estimated $116,050 to the local economy, with more than half moving with their families—further strengthening regional communities.
“These essential workers are the heartbeat of our communities. They keep hospitals running and our communities safe, they care for our elderly and are teaching our next generation – providing the skills regional NSW needs to thrive,” Moriarty said.
Participants receive on-the-ground assistance with housing, schools, childcare, community connections and employment opportunities for partners, aimed at supporting long-term retention.
Paramedic Thomas Finlay, who relocated from Ballarat to Kempsey with his family, said the program helped ease the transition.
“Our Local Connector from The Welcome Experience was able to organise house inspections and attend them for us whilst we were still based interstate,” he said.
“She was so knowledgeable about the area we were moving to, including what schools are available and the daycares we could use. She took away the unknowns of moving such a long way from family and support.”
Finlay said the ongoing support helped new arrivals settle into their communities.
“Most of all, our Local Connector made the move such a pleasure and continues to be there whenever we need it – organising monthly community catch-ups with others who are part of The Welcome Experience, as well as day trips to the zoo, afternoons at local water parks, and catch-ups at the surf club, just to name a few.”
“My advice to others considering a move to regional NSW would be to just take the leap! It’s such a great experience to see more of our country. The people you meet and work with, and the communities you visit, create so many new and exciting memories.”
Local Connector with Regional Development Australia Northern Rivers, Lisa Richards, said tailored support was key to attracting and retaining workers in regional areas.
“The Welcome Experience is a vital initiative supporting the attraction and retention of essential workers across regional New South Wales,” she said.
“By providing tailored, place-based support, we are helping address one of the most pressing challenges facing our regional communities.
“Through social events, meet-and-greets, and tailored guidance, we are helping people build networks and a sense of belonging. This is key to not only attracting workers to the regions but ensuring they choose to stay long-term.”
The government says the initiative is helping ease workforce shortages and rebuild essential services across regional NSW, including in the New England region.
Further information is available at www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/welcome-experience.
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