Regional councils across New South Wales will now be included in the NSW Government’s Welcome Experience program, aimed at helping essential workers relocate to regional communities.
Local government workers will now be supported through the program, helping them settle into essential council roles including road maintenance, town planning, engineering and childcare services.
As a major regional employer, local government plays a vital role in sustaining communities, yet workforce shortages remain an ongoing challenge for councils.
The Welcome Experience is a free service supporting workers and their families who are considering or have accepted roles in key sectors such as health, aged care, education, veterinary services, policing, emergency services and now local government.
The program was established by the New South Wales Government in 2023 as a pilot across 11 council areas to help attract essential workers to regional communities.
Following the program’s expansion into 88 local government areas across the state, it has supported more than 3,000 frontline workers to relocate to regional New South Wales and will now also assist councils recruit for critical local government roles.
A Local Government Workforce Skills and Capability Survey found more than 90 per cent of councils reported skills shortages, with 66 per cent indicating project delivery had been impacted by vacancies, skills gaps or training needs.
Through the Welcome Experience, workers are connected with a dedicated Local Connector who provides practical support including assistance finding housing, accessing childcare or schools, connecting with community and sporting groups, and identifying employment opportunities for partners.
New South Wales Minister for Regional New South Wales, Tara Moriarty, said council workers were vital to the liveability of regional communities.
“Council workers are vital to the liveability of our communities, from roads and waste services through to planning and community programs,” Moriarty said.
“The Welcome Experience helps ensure new staff and their families feel supported from day one, which makes a real difference in attracting and keeping workers in our regional areas.”
Moriarty said the program had already supported thousands of essential workers to relocate to regional communities since launching in 2023.
New South Wales Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, said local government careers offered an opportunity for people to directly contribute to their communities.
“You can really see the impact your work has in a rural and regional council,” Hoenig said.
“Local councils provide a range of services from parks to planning, childcare to aged care, as well as libraries and tourism services.”
General Secretary of the United Services Union, Graeme Kelly, said the initiative followed recent commitments to fund local government apprenticeships and traineeships.
Chairman of the Country Mayors Association, Mayor Rick Firman, welcomed the expansion of the program to include local government.
“In many rural and remote communities, local government is the largest employer, making its inclusion essential,” Firman said.
“We are confident it will strengthen councils’ ability to attract and retain the workforce our communities rely on.”
More information about the Welcome Experience program is available on the New South Wales Government website.
