Essential workers heading north

LISMORE and the Tweed will welcome more essential workers, including nurses, aged care workers and child protection staff, with the expansion of an NSW government program.

The Welcome Experience is a free service that supports essential workers and their families who are considering applying for, or have accepted, a job in regional NSW.

After a successful trial the program, which began in eight regional locations in 2023, is expanding to 52 Local Government Areas around the state, including Lismore City and Tweed Shire.

The new locations will be rolled out in stages.

Under the initiative, “local connectors” help participants find a new home, enrol their kids in school, join sporting clubs and assist in securing a job for their partner.

It is open to both government and non-government employees working in industries including health, aged care, education, early childhood, disability support, child protection and out-of-home care, corrections and justice and emergency services.

As well as helping workers decide whether a particular location is a good fit for them, the program helps people prepare for the move, including organising a removalist, links them with real estate agencies and recommends schools and childcare options.

It also provides connections to social groups and community organisations so they can meet like-minded individuals.

Member of the Legislative Council and Labor spokesperson for Ballina and Tweed Emily Suvaal said it was important to prioritise areas that need essential workers the most.

“We want essential workers who are moving to the Northern Rivers to have everything they need to feel comfortable and confident in their new communities as quickly as possible,” she said.

“Moving to a new area can be a daunting experience, but through the pilot phase of The Welcome Experience we saw how local knowledge and advice substantially helped essential workers make the move.”