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 employees of the following NSW agencies are eligible:
- Corrective Services NSW
- Department of Communities & Justice
- Fire & Rescue NSW
- NSW Ambulance
- NSW Department of Education
- NSW Health
- NSW Police Force
- NSW Rural Fire Service.
Non-government employees in the following industries are eligible:
- Aged care
- Disability support
- Early childhood education
- Education
- Health
- Veterinary services.
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:
Preparing for the move, including an overview of what to expect and guidance on finding a removalist.
Connecting you with trusted real estate agencies to help find a place to call home in a safe neighbourhood.
Providing information on early childhood education, schooling and university options in the area.
Connecting to sports clubs, social groups and community organisations to meet like-minded individuals.
Supporting essential workers and partners to find relevant, meaningful employment.
Providing information on disability support, healthcare and other services providers.
Providing local knowledge on the best activities and events happening around town.
Providing information and introductions to cultural communities.
Locations
The Welcome Experience is currently available in the following locations:
![Sandstone and brick two story buildings stand on the side of the street. There are cars angle parked in front of them. In the foreground, two people cross a pedestrian crossing](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2024-08/welcome-experience-central-west.jpg?itok=LDdaYiWI)
Weddin Shire Council
Central West Region
Covers Bathurst Regional, Cowra, Lachlan Shire, Lithgow City, Oberon, Orange City, Parkes Shire and Weddin Shire local government areas.
![A white four wheel drive is parked on a beach. Two people stand beside it looking towards the ocean. Two surfboards - one white and one yellow - lean against the 4WD beside them](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2024-08/welcome-experience-coffs-coast.jpg?itok=iWOdBbeZ)
Coffs Coast Region
Covers Coffs Harbour City and Bellingen local government areas.
![A picture of the Sapphire Coast Guiding Co Merimbula](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2023-07/Bega%20Valley_square_0.jpg?itok=IBqVo1oy)
Far South Coast Region
Covers Bega Valley Shire and Eurobodalla Shire local government areas.
![The Living Desert and Sculptures, Broken Hill](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2023-07/The_Living_Desert_and_Sculptures_Broken_Hill.jpg?itok=KvGa-IXM)
Far West Region
Covers Balranald Shire, Broken Hill City, Central Darling Shire and Wentworth Shire local government areas and the Unincorporated Far West.
![Two young people ride their bikes. Two adults are walking a dog. The family are on an asphalt path beside some gum trees and a river](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2024-08/welcome-experience-greater-albury.jpg?itok=ma_jMO1d)
Greater Albury Region
Covers Albury City, Federation and Greater Hume Shire local government areas.
![A grass section and path beside the ocean. There is a pine tree to the left and the coastline continues in the background](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2024-08/welcome-experience-illawarra.jpg?itok=hGUmuyeu)
Illawarra Shoalhaven Region
Covers Shellharbour Council, Kiama Municipal and Shoalhaven City local government areas.
![A clear blue river. In the foreground on a pillar of wood a black and white bird spreads its wings. There are boats moored and some white buildings in the background.](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2024-08/welcome-experience-mid-north-coast.jpg?itok=OjT1vQvX)
Mid North Coast Region
Covers Kempsey Shire, Nambucca Valley and Port Macquarie-Hastings local government areas.
![an overhead view of Moree, a town in regional NSW. There are two roads crossing in the middle and the buildings are surrounded by trees. The sky is mostly clear and the sun is low in the sky](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2024-08/welcome-experience-moree.jpg?itok=iH1Mmk0p)
Destination NSW
Moree Plains Region
Covers Moree Plains Shire local government area.
![A person in shorts walks through a grassy park. There is a small pavilion in the centre of frame. Trees with autumn leaves hand over the pavilion.](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2024-08/welcome-experience-northern-tablelands.jpg?itok=ZofHt4nW)
Destination NSW
Northern New England Region
Covers Glen Innes Severn and Inverell Shire local government areas.
![Surfers catching a morning wave at Cabarita Beach, Northern Rivers Tropical NSW](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2025-02/northern-rivers-region.png?itok=4QLjURn5)
Destination NSW
Northern Rivers Region
Covers Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Lismore and Richmond Valley areas.
![Aerial view of schools and playing fields in the Orana region](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2024-07/overview-of-ovals-in-the-orana-region.jpg?itok=PO2_p1v0)
Orana Region
Covers Bourke Shire, Dubbo Regional and Walgett Shire local government areas .
![De Bortoli Wines, Griffith](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2023-07/De_Bortoli_Wines_Griffith.jpg?itok=SNsVl93r)
Riverina Region
Covers Griffith City, Leeton Shire, Tumut, Temora Shire and Wagga Wagga City local government areas.
![A single lane asphalt round slopes towards the back of the photo. Tall trees frame the road on either side with light green leaves](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2024-08/welcome-experience-southern-new-england-armidale.jpg?itok=PlU1o2MZ)
Southern New England Region
Covers Armidale Regional, Tamworth Regional and Uralla Shire local government areas.
![Rocky Hill War Memorial and Museum Goulburn](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2023-07/Rocky_Hill_War_Memorial_And_Museum_Goulburn.jpg?itok=Dx66T4Md)
Southern Region
Covers Goulburn Mulwaree, Hilltops, Queanbeyan Palerang Regional, Snowy Monaro Regional, Upper Lachlan Shire, Wingecarribee Shire and Yass Valley local government areas .
![A photo of Campbells Corner in Muswellbrook NSW](/sites/default/files/styles/_medium/public/2023-07/Campbells%20Corner%20e5847-2.jpg?itok=UXFfxMkr)
Upper Hunter Region
Covers Muswellbrook, Singleton and Upper Hunter Shire local government areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Essential workers who have secured employment in the following agencies or industries, in a regional NSW location serviced by The Welcome Experience are eligible.
Government employees of the following NSW agencies are eligible:
- Corrective Services NSW
- Department of Communities & Justice
- Fire & Rescue NSW
- NSW Ambulance
- NSW Department of Education
- NSW Health
- NSW Police Force
- NSW Rural Fire Service
Non-government employees in the following industries are eligible:
- Aged care
- Disability support
- Early childhood education
- Education
- Health
- Veterinary services.
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.
If you have a question we haven't covered email us and a team member will be in touch.
Image
![2 women smiling and floating in a sunny rural waterway](/sites/default/files/styles/_extra_large/public/2024-03/Celine-make-the-move-banner3.jpg?itok=jTtb0XXs)
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.