With 178 essential workers relocating to the Northern Rivers through The Welcome Experience program, the NSW government says they will expand the services ‘to additional areas to rebuild essential services across the Northern Rivers’.
They said in a media release, ‘Established in an original 11 pilot locations in 2023 to improve health, education, policing and emergency services in regional NSW, The Welcome Experience has grown to support more than 3,000 frontline workers to make the move’.
‘The service has only been available in the Northern Rivers since late 2024 in the local government areas of Tweed, Byron, Ballina, Lismore and Richmond. Following today’s announcement, it will be expanded to operate in Kyogle, Tenterfield and Clarence Valley, so more essential workers and families can make the move.
‘It is a free service supporting essential workers and their families who are considering applying for or have accepted a job in either government or non-government eligible sectors such as health, aged care, education, veterinary services, policing and emergency services.
‘The workers considering a move are linked to a Local Connector who can help with the realities of relocating with the practicalities of finding housing, choosing childcare, finding a relevant sporting or interest group, plus exploring job opportunities for partners.
‘The following essential workers and families have been supported to make the move to the following local government areas in the Northern Rivers:
- Lismore – 42 health and 14 education workers are among the 56 essential workers who relocated and brought 43 family members who are now connecting with the community.
- Ballina – 14 health and 3 paramedics are among the 24 essential workers who have relocated and brought 24 family members to become new members of the community.
- Byron – 8 health and 1 veterinarian are among the 13 essential workers who have relocated and brought 15 family members who are now connecting with the community.
- Richmond Valley – 11 health, and 3 aged care workers are among the 15 essential workers who have relocated and brought 20 family members to join the community.
- Tweed – 49 health, and 5 NSW Police officers are among the 65 essential workers who relocated and brought 71 family members into the community.
‘The Northern Rivers region isn’t the only area with an expanding service delivery, with The Welcome Experience being set to increase operatonal delivery from 55 local government areas to 88 LGAs across regional NSW as part of a major scale up.
‘Through this program and appropriate increased pay levels for nurses, teachers and police, the Minns Government is addressing the issues of regional essential workforce shortages, inherited from the former Nationals Liberal Government’.
To find out more about The Welcome Experience and the opportunities awaiting those considering a move to the regions, visit www.nsw.gov.au/regional-nsw/welcome-experience
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
