The Welcome Experience: supporting essential worker businesses

This free NSW Government service supports regional businesses to attract and keep essential workers by making their move to regional NSW easier.

Young woman with long brown hair, wearing a blue uniform and stethoscope round her neck, smiling and holding a relaxed golden labrador

How does it work?

Moving for work is a big step, but The Welcome Experience is here to help.

We connect essential workers (and their families) with local support, whether it’s finding housing, childcare, social groups, or just getting to know the area. Our friendly Local Connectors offer personalised help - from recommending removalists, to tips for local coffee spots, creative groups and sporting clubs.

Local Connectors can help with the ‘life things’ to make moving and settling in easier for essential workers.

Find out more about The Welcome Experience.

Eligible industries

Businesses in these industries can mention the service in their job advertisements and recruitment processes, to support new or recently hired staff:

  • Aged care
  • Disability support
  • Early childhood education
  • Education
  • Health
  • Veterinary services.
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How businesses benefit

The Welcome Experience helps essential workers with settling in and gaining local insights - offering extra support beyond work onboarding processes. Businesses benefit from:

  • better retention – reducing turnover by making new hires feel welcomed and connected in regional NSW
  • stronger community ties – helping new staff and their families settle in, making them more likely to stay long-term
  • time and cost savings – lower hiring costs by reducing turnover and providing community support to staff and their families
  • free NSW Government support –a no-cost service for eligible essential workers.
Smiling asian woman with short dark hair wearing a white uniform over a dark top standing outside buildings.

How can businesses access The Welcome Experience?

Businesses in eligible LGAs can include The Welcome Experience in their job advertisement and hiring processes. 

Use this suggested text in job advertisements, offer letters or other recruitment materials for encouraging essential workers to access the service:

The Welcome Experience

The Welcome Experience is a free service for essential workers and their families who are considering moving to or have moved to regional NSW. 

Local Connectors make moving easier by helping you find a home, schools, childcare, job opportunities for your partner, and connections within the community.

Learn more at nsw.gov.au/welcomeexperience

Need local support or have questions?

Email welcome.experience@regional.nsw.gov.au, and we’ll put you in touch with the Local Connector in your area.

Eligible regions

The Welcome Experience is available to support essential workers in the following Local Government Areas (LGAs):

AlburyGriffithShellharbour
ArmidaleHilltopsShoalhaven
BallinaInverellSingleton
BalranaldKempseySnowy Monaro
BathurstKiamaSnowy Valleys (Tumut only)
Bega ValleyLachlanTamworth
BellingenLeetonTemora
BourkeLismoreTweed
Broken HillLithgowUnincorporated Far West
ByronMoree PlainsUpper Hunter
Central DarlingMuswellbrookUpper Lachlan
Coffs HarbourNambucca ValleyUralla
CowraOberonWagga Wagga
DubboOrangeWalgett
EurobodallaParkesWeddin
FederationPort MacquarieWentworth
Glen Innes SevernQueanbeyan PalerangWingecarribee
Goulburn MulwarreeRichmond ValleyYass Valley
Greater Hume  
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