Relocating for work can be exciting—but it also comes with a long checklist of challenges that go well beyond starting a new job. For essential workers moving to regional NSW, that’s where The Welcome Experience steps in.
An initiative of the NSW Government and offered by Regional Development Australia Murray, The Welcome Experience is a free service supporting eligible essential workers—and their families—who are moving to regional NSW, specifically the Albury, Federation, and Greater Hume areas.
The goal? To make settling into a new community easier, faster, and far less overwhelming.
“We help with the life stuff—so new arrivals don’t just start a job, they start a life,” says Lou Newman, one of the program’s dedicated Local Connectors.
Lou’s role is to support essential workers before, during, and after their move. That might mean helping find housing, linking partners with local job opportunities, suggesting schools or childcare, or simply introducing people to sports clubs, walking trails, or community groups.
“Sometimes it’s as simple as recommending a good mechanic,” Lou says. “Other times, it’s something more meaningful—like connecting someone to a creative group that gives them a real sense of purpose and belonging.”
Lou recalls one young woman who had moved to the area. “She was missing her creative outlets and feeling quite isolated. When we introduced her to a local arts group, everything changed. She made friends, swapped numbers, and started to feel like this place could really be home.”
The program recognises that relocating involves far more than packing boxes and starting a new job. There’s a whole layer of “life stuff” that can affect how well someone settles in—from social connections to navigating local services.
And the benefits extend well beyond the employee. For employers, The Welcome Experience helps ensure new staff are supported in ways that may otherwise fall outside of HR’s scope.
“When employers find out how much we can help, there’s a real sense of relief,” Lou says. “They want their staff to be happy—but they don’t always have the time or resources to provide that kind of support.”
Local Connectors like Lou bring a deep understanding of the region and strong personal networks to their work. “If I don’t know the answer, I’ll know who to ask. That local knowledge makes all the difference.”
The service is available to eligible employees of key public and private providers—including Health, Education, Police, and Emergency Services—as well as those working in aged care, disability support, early childhood education, and veterinary services.
What motivates Lou is simple: “I just want people to feel like they belong. That they’re not alone, and that there’s someone here who’s got their back.”
With The Welcome Experience, essential workers don’t just move to regional NSW—they’re welcomed into it.
“People who feel they belong in their community are happier and more content,” Lou says. “That’s what it’s all about.”
Click here to find out more about The Welcome Experience or register your interest.
*The Welcome Experience is part of the NSW Government’s Essential Worker Attraction Program, fully funded until 2025/26.
