Program expansion helps essential workers relocate to the Riverina
Successful program expanded to include Griffith, Leeton, Tumut, Temora and Wagga Wagga.
The NSW Government’s 'The Welcome Experience' is expanding across the Riverina, after a successful pilot in Griffith delivered by Regional Development Australia Riverina (RDA Riverina).
This initiative, which has already seen success in Griffith since its launch in July 2023, is designed to help essential workers settle into the region with free personalised support.
Essential workers (and their families) who are considering applying for or have accepted a job in regional NSW are linked with a ‘Local Connector’ from the community who provides advice, introductions and support throughout the whole relocation process.
Since the program began, 44 individuals and their families — working in health, education, police and fire and rescue — have already made the move to Griffith, and with 1800 enquiries received across New South Wales in the previous 12 months, this number is expected to grow.
The expansion has been welcomed by regional employers including Murrumbidgee Local Health District. Melanie Reeves, Murrumbidgee Health & Knowledge Precinct Manager, stated, “We are thrilled to see the Welcome Experience successfully extended across more areas within the Murrumbidgee Health and Knowledge Precinct. This initiative not only highlights our region's appeal but also plays a crucial role in increasing our healthcare workforce.
"We are especially pleased to witness the positive impact it has had in attracting more professionals to move here, strengthening our community and enhancing the quality of care we can provide. It’s a testament to our commitment to making the Riverina and Southern NSW not just a place to work but a place to thrive."
RDA Riverina is one of 14 host agencies responsible for facilitating The Welcome Experience in NSW, which will now be available in Griffith, Leeton, Tumut, Temora and Wagga Wagga.
Dianna Somerville, Chair of RDA Riverina said “Having participated in the Pilot Program in Griffith, RDA Riverina has seen first-hand the positive impact this program has had on our communities.
"Local people providing local solutions and local knowledge is a good outcome for our region, it allows our communities to build a collaborative approach to attracting and retaining professionals in our towns and cities.
"I welcome the NSW government’s investment into expanding the program and look forward to expanding our footprint to include more towns across the Riverina”.
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.
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said The Welcome Experience pilot program has been a major success since it launched in June last year, supporting over 511 workers and their families to relocate to regional New South Wales. “Moving to a new town can be daunting, but the feedback we receive from workers is that having a host agency like RDA Riverina to offer a warm welcome and local advice, significantly increases their likelihood of staying and contributing to their community long term,” said Ms Moriarty.
“We’ve had close to 1800 enquiries from a range of essential workers considering making the move, and this demand for tailored relocation support is one of the key reasons The Welcome Experience has been such a phenomenal success so far.”
“The NSW Government’s recent decision to expand the program to 52 Local Government Areas across the state reaffirms our commitment to regional communities by ensuring they receive the skilled and robust workforce they need.”
Rachel Whiting, CEO of RDA Riverina said “we are excited to be able to now extend the successful pilot from Griffith to other locations in the Riverina and we look forward to working with community, government agencies employing essential workers, local government and business to assist our region in welcoming and settling newcomers.”
If you or someone you know is considering a move to the Riverina, or if you're curious about how The Welcome Experience can support new residents, be sure to check out the details at NSW Government Welcome Experience or reach out to po@rdriverina.org.au.
What is The Welcome Experience?
The Welcome Experience is a free service supporting essential workers (and their families) who are considering applying for or have accepted a job in regional NSW.
The program aims to help essential workers feel more at home in their new communities sooner by helping them to settle and establish connections and relationships with personalised support. Following the success of the pilot program, The Welcome Experience is being rolled out to 50 local government areas across regional NSW.
Local Connectors in each location provide essential workers with advice and support in the decision to relocate and help the transition into their new town.
How will The Welcome Experience help attract and retain essential workers to regional areas?
Relocating to a regional area can be a daunting experience.
The Welcome Experience aims to make the transition as seamless as possible for essential workers by removing some of the barriers and challenges of moving to a new town.
By linking essential workers with a Local Connector before the move, the program aims to arm essential workers with local knowledge to help inform decisions about where to live, childcare, schools, and healthcare.
Local Connectors will also link essential workers and their families to clubs, teams, and community groups to help them make friends and form connections.
Evidence has found that by better preparing and supporting new arrivals to integrate into community, essential workers will be more likely to move to, and stay longer, in regional communities.
Why is this service needed in this location?
It is important that regional communities have access to high quality support services, and essential workers are the backbone of these services.
RDA Riverina is proud to be able to offer the support of The Welcome Experience across the Riverina to help attract and retain essential workers in our community to ensure our services run smoothly and efficiently.
How many essential workers are likely to benefit?
During the 12-month pilot program, The Welcome Experience helped over 500 essential workers and their families move to the initial eight regional locations and received over 1800 enquiries.
Now that the program has been expanded to include 50 locations across regional NSW, we hope to help even more essential workers find their feet in their new communities.
What sort of essential workers does The Welcome Experience support?
Employees of the following industries are eligible for The Welcome Experience:
Education workers, including Department of Education and Training employees who work in a school, TAFE or university, teachers at Catholic and Independent schools, and Early Childhood Education workers
Healthcare workers including nurses, allied health professionals, ambulance staff, visiting medical officers, specialists, Aboriginal Medical Service staff, general practitioners, aged care staff and disability support workers.
NSW Police Force employees
NSW Fire and Rescue employees
Department of Communities and Justice employees including child protection workers, corrections officers and staff working in a courthouse.