The Welcome Experience, delivered in the Upper Hunter Region by Muswellbrook Shire Council, is expanding, with Dungog joining Muswellbrook, Singleton and the Upper Hunter local government areas as part of the program that helps essential workers relocate and settle into regional communities.
Previously, the program has been exclusively for essential workers. The expansion now also includes local government workers, broadening the range of essential workers who can access support when locating to regional NSW and further strengthening the opportunity for potential employees to relocate to the Upper Hunter region.
Since the launch of The Welcome Experience in 2023, the Upper Hunter region has supported more than 300 essential workers and their families to relocate to the area, helping strengthen local services and address workforce shortages across a range of sectors.
Community Connector Coordinator, Katrina Kiely said the expansion would enable the program to support more workers and families making the move to regional communities.
“The Welcome Experience is designed to help people navigate the practical challenges that can come with relocating to a new area,” Ms Kiely said.
“Whether its finding housing, accessing childcare and schools, connecting with local sporting groups or exploring employment opportunities for partners, the program provides personalised support to help people settle into their new community.”
“We’re pleased to see Dungog included within the Upper Hunter service area and to welcome local government workers into the program.”
Muswellbrook Shire Mayor, Jeff Drayton said the expansion reflects the strong connections across the Upper Hunter and surrounding regions.
“The Welcome Experience has already helped more than 300 essential workers and families relocate to the Upper Hunter, and it’s great to see that support now extended to Dungog and local government workers,” Mayor Drayton said.
“This isn’t just about supporting one town. Our communities are closely connected, and the essential services we rely on every day operate across the region.”
“Whether it’s nurses working in our hospitals, teachers in our schools, emergency service personnel or council staff delivering local services, attracting skilled workers to the Upper Hunter benefits all our communities.”
The Welcome Experience is a free service supporting workers and their families who are considering or have accepted roles in key sectors including health, aged care, education, veterinary services, policing, emergency services and local government.
Workers are connected with a dedicated Community Connector who provides practical, on the ground support before and after relocation.
The inclusion of local government workers recognises the important role councils play in regional communities, and the workforce challenges many councils have in attracting and retaining skilled staff, the Council said in a statement.
Local government roles supported through the program may include engineers, project managers, construction managers, facility managers, administrative staff, directors and a range of other council positions where workers are relocating to the region permanently.
For more information about The Welcome Experience, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/makethemove/welcome-experience.
