Welcoming Cities – Regional Guidelines

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Access a comprehensive suite of resources designed to support local and state governments in building stronger, more welcoming communities. By creating an account and logging in, you’ll gain practical tools, templates, case studies, and step-by-step guidance on assessment, consultation, and planning. This portal serves as your roadmap to attracting new residents and fostering lasting belonging and connection.Guidelines to Regional Growth

About the Guidelines

These guidelines aim to help regional and remote communities collaborate with service providers, development authorities, and all levels of government to attract, retain, and support migrants so they can thrive in Australia.

Regional migration presents an exciting opportunity to boost economic growth, revitalise communities, and offer new migrants a pathway to integrate into Australian society. A successful strategy begins with the existing community. Engaging and preparing the receiving community is essential for creating a welcoming environment where newcomers can settle and succeed.

A place-based and community-driven strategy, tailored to each region’s unique characteristics, is essential. Such an approach sets both migrants and local communities up for success, fostering economic development and social cohesion.

The Monash Migration and Inclusion Centre (MMIC) and Welcoming Cities developed this resource to guide communities in assessing local readiness to welcome new arrivals and designing regional settlement programs. It’s proudly supported by the Queensland Government through the Department of Women, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and Multiculturalism.

Initiating a Local Settlement Strategy

Developing a successful regional migration strategy is about creating opportunities that work for both new arrivals and the existing community. It starts with a focus on practical, community-driven steps that align with local needs and aspirations. Below are key principles and actions to guide stakeholders in designing and implementing effective settlement initiatives.

Place-Based, Community-Driven Processes
Every stage of the process should prioritise the needs, interests, and capacities of the local community. A migration program led by regional stakeholders without genuine community buy-in may face resistance or challenges later. Involve different community groups, local leaders, and organisations early to build momentum and foster a shared sense of ownership.

Understanding the Skills and Aspirations of Migrants
Matching the skills and goals of new arrivals with local opportunities is vital for sustainable settlement. Create a profile of the potential migrant groups you aim to attract, including their skills, employment needs, and family requirements. This ensures a better fit between migrants and your region, supporting long-term integration.

Australia welcomes migrants with diverse visa types, skillsets, and backgrounds—from refugees to skilled professionals. By understanding the barriers and enablers for each group, local stakeholders can design more effective programs that meet everyone’s needs.

Building, Adapting, and Strengthening Local Services
The availability of essential services can vary significantly across regional areas. Humanitarian migrants, for instance, may access settlement services for up to five years, while skilled migrants often receive less structured support. Identify gaps in your community’s capacity and explore creative solutions, such as partnerships with regional organisations or volunteer networks, to ensure both new arrivals and existing residents are well-supported.

Seeking Support from Regional, State, and Federal Partners
Funding and advice are available through a variety of channels. For example:

• Membership organisations like the Settlement Council of Australia can connect you with settlement experts.
• State multicultural departments may offer grants for capacity-building projects.
• Regional partnerships can provide technical and strategic advice to strengthen your plan.

Build relationships with these groups to tap into resources and expertise that will make your strategy more effective.

Documenting Lessons and Outcomes
Take time to reflect on what works and what doesn’t. Documenting outcomes, feedback, and lessons learned helps refine your strategy and creates valuable resources for other regions embarking on similar journeys. Sharing evidence of success can also unlock funding opportunities and influence policy changes at state and federal levels.

Advocating for Policy Reform and Investment
Regional stakeholders play a key role in shaping migration policy. Share your community’s experiences through working groups, conferences, or joint policy submissions. Initiatives like the Welcoming Cities annual symposium are excellent opportunities to exchange ideas and showcase success stories, helping to build collective advocacy for better regional migration programs.

Practical Steps for Action
1. Assessment: Start by understanding your community’s current strengths, gaps, and opportunities.
2. Consultation: Engage the community, local organisations, and potential migrants to align expectations and goals.
3. Planning: Develop a clear, actionable plan with measurable outcomes, ensuring it reflects the shared vision of all stakeholders.

By combining local knowledge with practical tools and partnerships, your region can create a strategy that welcomes new migrants while fostering social and economic growth for everyone involved.