Regional councils across the New England and North West are set to receive extra support in attracting and retaining staff, following the expansion of the NSW Government’s Welcome Experience program into local government.
The announcement comes amid ongoing workforce shortages across regional NSW councils, with many struggling to fill critical positions in engineering, childcare, planning, road maintenance and other essential services.
Under the expansion, The Welcome Experience will now support local government workers relocating to regional areas, and the program will also broaden its reach across New England and North West to include Walcha, Liverpool Plains, Gunnedah, Tenterfield and Narrabri.
Originally launched by the Minns Labor Government in 2023 as a pilot program across 11 local government areas, The Welcome Experience was designed to help attract essential workers to regional communities by supporting them and their families as they relocate.
The program has since expanded into 88 local government areas across NSW and has already assisted more than 3,000 frontline workers, including teachers, nurses, firefighters and police officers, to make the move to regional communities.
Now, council workers will also be eligible for support through the service.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said local government workers played a critical role in maintaining the liveability of regional communities.
“Council workers are vital to the liveability of our communities, from roads and waste services through to planning and community programs,” she said.
“The Welcome Experience helps ensure new staff and their families feel supported from day one, which makes a real difference in attracting and keeping workers in our regional areas.”
The program connects incoming workers with dedicated Local Connectors who assist with practical challenges associated with relocating, including finding housing, accessing schools and childcare, helping partners seek employment opportunities, and introducing families to local sporting and community groups.
According to a Local Government Workforce Skills and Capability Survey, more than 90 per cent of councils reported skills shortages, while two-thirds said vacancies and skills gaps were affecting project delivery.
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig said careers in regional local government offered workers the chance to make a visible difference in their communities.
“You can really see the impact in the community your work has in a rural and regional council,” he said.
“Local councils provide a range of services from parks to planning, childcare to aged care as well as libraries and tourism services.
“Expanding this program will help more workers and families make the move to the regions — helping councils fill those critical skills gaps and make rural and regional towns and cities even better places to live.”
United Services Union General Secretary Graeme Kelly said the initiative complemented recent commitments to local government apprenticeships and traineeships.
“This initiative by the Minns Labor Government follows their recent commitment in funding local government apprenticeships and traineeships, both of commitments will revitalise communities delivering the skills and services that regional and rural local government so desperately need,” he said.
Country Mayors Association chairman Mayor Rick Firman welcomed the inclusion of local government in the program, saying councils were often among the largest employers in rural communities.
“In many rural and remote communities, local government is the largest employer, making its inclusion essential,” he said.
“We are confident it will strengthen councils’ ability to attract and retain the workforce our communities rely on.”
More information about The Welcome Experience program is available through the NSW Government website.
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