From the rolling green hills of West Gippsland, to the tree-filled canopies of Tarra-Bulga National Park, to the summit of Mt. Oberon at Wilsons Promontory, to the quaint towns dotted across the Wellington shire, and the breathtaking scenery along the coastline of East Gippsland, it’s no wonder the region is becoming a popular place to live and work.
Gippsland offers enormous potential for those looking for the perfect place to cement their families, enhance their lifestyles, and advance their careers. While there’s often a perception regarding employment barriers that come from living regionally, this couldn’t be further from the truth. More and more people are making their way to Gippsland, and it’s filled with both talented people and innovative organisations. In fact, Gippsland’s population continues to grow at an average rate of 4%, with the urban fringe shires of Bass Coast and Baw Baw growing at a rate of 8-9% each and every year.
With technology helping us to remain connected, building deep roots in regional areas does not put you at a disadvantage in your career. With organisations becoming open to flexible or remote working arrangements, and commutes to the city now easier than ever thanks to improving road and rail infrastructures, employees no longer need to feel as if they are one step behind their metro-dwelling counterparts.
It’s an exciting time to be looking for a job in Gippsland
While it may be tempting to stay in the comfort of large corporate city offices, now is an exciting time to look for a job in Gippsland. From tourism, to healthcare, to construction, there are a wide range of organisations hiring across a range of industries. Although you may assume that Gippsland is a region focussed solely on Agriculture, there are many more exciting opportunities emerging, with employment growth expected in health care, social assistance, education and training, and construction over the coming years. The access to technology, coupled with the many bright and budding entrepreneurs in the region, also means that more jobs are being created each day in a wide range of fields. These career opportunities will lend themselves to promoting regional development and putting Gippsland on the map!
There are a number of advantages to living and working regionally. According to the Regional Patterns of Australia’s Economy and Population report by the Grattan Institute, regional income growth and employment rates are found to be on par with the city. Regional areas are also generally less competitive for skilled and professional jobs, and there are more opportunities for career growth because organisations are generally smaller. If you are highly skilled within your industry, you could find yourself in demand, and employers will often develop enticing packages to encourage you to make the move to live and work in their region. Coupled with a healthier work/life balance, and becoming a part of a wider community, it’s no wonder more people are choosing to build their futures in Gippsland.
Gippsland is a great place to live and play, too
Can you imagine waking to the sound of cows moo-ing and roosters crowing each morning? A stark difference to the loud trucks, construction, and machinery works that exist in metropolitan areas! Gippsland is proving to be a popular region for long term residence, and is attracting more and more young professionals, families, and multicultural communities. It is the perfect place to work, live, and play, with the sandy beaches, nature reserves, and strong community ties. While there may be certain “creature comforts” in the cities, you won’t miss out by making the move to Gippsland. There’s great food, great wine, arts, and culture, and the fringes of Gippsland are only an hour away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan Melbourne. You can still experience the best of both worlds, while giving the kids room to grow, run, and explore.
Gippsland’s relatively low cost of living means it’s become a popular destination, with more people choosing lower density living and alternate lifestyles. People in Melbourne are now broadening their horizons, and choosing the beauty of Gippsland over the busyness of the city. Combined with cultural changes to work as a result of Covid-19, buyers are now more open to living a little further out. The median house price in Warragul has jumped 42% in the past 3 years alone. With an average house price ranging from $235,000 in the Latrobe Valley, to $649,000 in the Bass Coast, it’s no surprise people are eager to experience the lifestyle Gippsland has on offer when compared to Melbourne’s median house prices of $881,000.
By 2040, Gippsland is expected to be home to more than 360,000 people. With the ever evolving working opportunities, scenic environments, and family-focussed communities, now is the perfect time to make your mark in Gippsland, expand your career, and experience what is on offer.
If you are looking for a sea change both personally and professionally, our team at Best Match Recruitment can help you secure employment that leans in to your strengths and experience in your field. Contact us on (03) 56 22 0986, and we can help you find the perfect match.
References:
- John Daley, Danielle Wood and Carmela , Chivers, August 2, 2017, “Regional Patterns of Australia’s Economy and Population”, Grattan Institute, https://grattan.edu.au/report/regional-patterns-of-australias-economy-and-population/
- “9 Reasons why living in regional areas is good for your career”, Expand Careers, https://expandcareers.com.au/9-reasons-why-living-in-regional-australia-is-good-for-your-career/
- Christina Karras, October 17, 2020, “Gippsland median house prices: Gippsland – Latrobe luring buyers”, News.com.au, https://www.news.com.au/finance/real-estate/melbourne-vic/gippsland-median-house-prices-gippslandlatrobe-luring-buyers/news-story/72c8aaedf8ab220b01330964e8718d66
- Aither, March 2019, “Gippsland Regional Profile”, Infrastructure Victoria, https://www.infrastructurevictoria.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Aither-Gippsland-Regional-Profile-March-2019.pdf
- GRP Leadership Group and Key Stakeholders, “Gippsland Regional Plan 2020-2025”, https://www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/files/f159125b-54b1-4199-b52d-c53fe9271876/5111_Final_Gippsland_Regional_Plan_2020_%E2%80%93_2025.pdf
- Jim Malo, July 22, 2020, “Melbourne house prices drop 3.5 per cent to median $881,000 in June quarter amid COVID-19 crisis, the sharpest fall in Australia”, Domain, https://www.domain.com.au/news/melbourne-house-prices-drop-3-5-per-cent-to-median-881000-in-june-quarter-amid-covid-19-the-sharpest-fall-in-australia-971141/