What work opportunities are available in Northern NSW?
It’s no secret that one-fifth of city dwellers are contemplating a move to the Northern Rivers for a better work-life balance. But how easy is it to find jobs in Northern NSW? And what are the available work opportunities?
Surprisingly varied, is the answer. Thanks to a diverse economy and a fantastic tourism industry, with a wide mix of jobs, there are many businesses in need of skilled workers. Key industries include; manufacturing, tech, agribusiness and food. Health, aged care and medical technology are also growing industries in Northern NSW.
Being close to the Queensland border, the North Coast of NSW offers great connections to Brisbane and the Gold Coast, as well as Sydney. This means it’s an excellent place to establish a business – you can make professional connections in the major cities and visit when you need to. At the same time, you’ll benefit from lower living costs and an enviable quality of life at home.
Let’s go a little further into the key industries, to give you an understanding of what to expect when looking for employment in Northern NSW. Here are some key economic drivers in the region:
Advanced manufacturing is thriving in regional NSW as a whole, thanks to both international and domestic manufacturers basing their operations in the Northern Rivers and Tweed regions. Manufactured goods are NSW’s largest export, and this figure is expected to grow. There are opportunities in marine, medical and computer equipment.
As businesses set their sights on renewable and recyclable energy this sector is also set to grow, thanks to the low-cost environment, access to markets within the Asia-Pacific region, and a skilled local workforce.
Agribusiness and food and beverage production offer many opportunities for work. The region’s airports and transport hubs, as well as Australia’s reputation for premium-quality produce, mean that food businesses based in Northern NSW can export to other countries with ease.
Tourism is unsurprisingly a job creator in Northern NSW, thanks to the region’s spectacular coastlines and surfing, and beautiful towns and villages with their thriving dining and arts scenes.
Right now, the industries with the most job listings are:
- Hospitality and tourism
- Healthcare and other medical fields
- Trades and services
- Community services and development
- Manufacturing, transport and logistics
- Government and defence
- Education and training
- Retail and consumer products
- Administration and office support
Starting your search for work
If you’re hoping to work in local government, the best place to look for a job in Northern New South Wales is on the I Work for NSW website. Here you’ll find a regularly updated list of opportunities, from teaching at a local TAFE college to jobs in health, mining or Parks and Wildlife, to name just a few.
Local Councils advertise current jobs on their websites and allow you to register for job alerts. These include the local Councils of Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Tweed.
If you’re interested in an overview of what’s on offer more generally, here are some other websites that feature job listings for Northern NSW:
- Seek Job Listings
- Indeed Job Listings
- Simply Hired Job Listings
- JobSearch Job Listings
- CareerOne Job Listings
- Jora Job Listings
And, of course, it’s worth updating your LinkedIn and Facebook profiles and keeping an eye on what job opportunities they advertise, too.
Bear in mind that travel restrictions due to Covid may impact on your ability to travel for job interviews. You can stay up to date on the latest restrictions here.
Can I apply for a relocation grant?
The NSW government is currently offering a relocation grant to businesses looking to move into regional areas.
They pay $10,000 to employers or businesses who are relocating skilled workers into key ‘red’ areas of business. This includes emerging industries, and those that export out of the region or country. Agriculture, forestry, manufacturing, mining and tourism businesses may all be eligible for one of these grants – you can find out more on the NSW Government Regional Skills Relocation website.
Are you thinking of moving to Northern NSW?
As with any big life change, it’s essential to do your research before taking the plunge. But for those who are contemplating a change, now is a great time to move to Northern NSW. The Northern Rivers and Tweed region is thriving and set to grow further thanks to the wonderful work-life balance on offer, and businesses and local services alike are looking for skilled workers.
Interested in learning what other businesses are in the area? Check out our business directory.
