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.
Local Connectors can help you with the life stuff, everything from the practicalities of finding housing, choosing childcare, exploring job opportunities for partners or even introducing you to your neighbours!
Government and non-government employees in the following industries are eligible for The Welcome Experience:
- Health
- Aged Care
- Education
- Early Childhood Education
- Disability Support
- Child Protection and Out-of-home care
- Corrections and Justice
- Emergency services.
NSW Government employees of the following agencies are also eligible:
- NSW Police
- NSW Fire & Rescue
- NSW Ambulance
- NSW Health
- Department of Education
- Department of Communities & Justice.
The ‘life things’ we can help with
The Welcome Experience service is tailored to the specific needs of the individual or family. Not only will we help you decide if a particular location is a good fit for what you’re looking for, but we can also help with:
Relocation
Preparing for the move, including a rundown of what to expect and organising a reliable removalist.
Housing
Connecting you with trusted real estate agencies to help find a place to call home in a safe neighbourhood.
Education
Providing information on early childhood education, schooling and university options in the area.
Social connections
Connecting to sports clubs, social groups and community organisations to meet like-minded individuals.
Employment
Supporting essential workers and partners to find relevant, meaningful employment.
Accessibility & healthcare
Providing information on disability support, healthcare and other services providers.
Leisure & recreation
Providing local knowledge on the best activities and events happening around town.
Cultural connections
Providing information and introductions to cultural communities.
Locations
The Welcome Experience is currently available in the following locations:
Weddin Shire Council
Central West Region
Covers Bathurst Regional, Cowra, Lachlan Shire, Oberon, Orange City, Parkes Shire and Weddin Shire local government areas.
Coffs Coast Region
Covers Coffs Harbour City and Bellingen local government areas.
Far South Coast Region
Covers Bega Valley Shire and Eurobodalla Shire local government areas.
Far West Region
Covers Balranald Shire, Broken Hill City, Central Darling Shire and Wentworth Shire local government areas and the Unincorporated Far West.
Greater Albury Region
Covers Albury City, Federation and Greater Hume Shire local government areas.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Region
Covers Shellharbour Council, Kiama Municipal and Shoalhaven City local government areas.
Mid North Coast Region
Covers Kempsey Shire, Nambucca Valley and Port Macquarie-Hastings local government areas.
Destination NSW
Moree Plains Region
Covers Moree Plains Shire local government area.
Destination NSW
Northern New England Region
Covers Glen Innes Severn and Inverell Shire local government areas.
Orana Region
Covers Bourke Shire, Dubbo Regional and Walgett Shire local government areas .
Riverina Region
Covers Griffith City, Leeton Shire, Tumut, Temora Shire and Wagga Wagga City local government areas.
Southern New England Region
Covers Armidale Regional, Tamworth Regional and Uralla Shire local government areas.
Southern Region
Covers Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan Palerang Regional, Snowy Monaro Regional, Upper Lachlan Shire, Wingecarribee Shire and Yass Valley local government areas .
Upper Hunter Region
Covers Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter Shire local government areas.
Locations coming soon
The Welcome Experience is expanding to cover 52 local government areas across the state.
The new locations will be rolled out in stages. Please check back to see when the new Welcome Experience locations are available.
Destination NSW
Covers Lismore City and Tweed Shire local government areas.
Image by Destination NSW.
The Welcome Experience
Frequently Asked Questions
Essential workers that have secured government or non-government employment in the following industries in a NSW regional area serviced by The Welcome Experience are eligible for support:
- Health
- Aged Care
- Education
- Early Childhood
- Disability Support
- Child Protection and Out-of-home care
- Corrections and Justice
- Emergency services.
NSW Government employees of the following agencies are also eligible:
- NSW Police
- NSW Fire & Rescue
- NSW Ambulance
- NSW Health
- Department of Communities & Justice.
Registering is easy – just fill out this form and a Local Connector will be in touch soon.
Get started
Local Connectors are there to help you and your family settle in, which includes helping your partner find relevant, meaningful employment.
Our Local Connectors have strong relationships with local employers and extensive industry employment networks in each local community. They will work with your partner to understand their employment goals and challenges, connect them into relevant employment networks and can also direct them to relevant training and employment support services if required.
The Welcome Experience is currently expanding and will soon cover 52 Local Government Areas. Check this website regularly to find out when The Welcome Experience opens in a regional area you are interested in.
If you have a question we haven't covered email us and a team member will be in touch.
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Regional NSW, make the move
There’s never been more opportunity in regional NSW for essential workers and their families. If you are looking to have more time for yourself and your family, or just want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, then make the move to regional NSW.