NSW Backs 20 Regional Projects to Create and Keep 624 Jobs
Australia hiring 2026: a $50m fund for 20 business projects in NSW's southern Murray-Darling Basin will create and retain 624 regional jobs.
AustraliaIn brief
- $50 million will fund 20 business projects in the southern Murray-Darling Basin of NSW.
- The projects are expected to create and retain 624 jobs.
- Funded by the Australian Government and delivered by NSW under the $160 million Sustainable Communities Program.
- Named projects include a new dairy at Blighty, an engineering depot at Hay and a food factory upgrade at Moama.
| Country | Australia |
|---|---|
| Organization | NSW Government – Regional NSW |
| Official source | NSW Government – $50 million for the southern Murray-Darling Basin ✓ nsw.gov.au |
Regional towns in southern New South Wales are set for a jobs boost, a welcome piece of Australia hiring 2026 news for people who want to work outside the big cities. On 27 October 2026, Regional NSW Minister Tara Moriarty announced $50 million for 20 business projects in the southern Murray-Darling Basin. Together they are expected to create and retain 624 jobs.
Funding at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total funding | $50 million |
| Projects | 20 |
| Jobs | 624 created and retained |
| Region | Southern Murray-Darling Basin, NSW |
| Program | Sustainable Communities Program – Business and Industry Round ($160 million) |
| Funded by | Australian Government |
| Delivered by | NSW Government |
Projects named so far
| Business / body | Town | Project | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yurunga Farms | Blighty | New modern dairy, raising output from 18.4 to up to 32 million litres a year | $4.91m |
| Wentworth Shire Council | Buronga–Gol Gol | Water infrastructure for a growing corridor | $3.75m |
| Crighton's Engineering | Hay | New purpose-built depot replacing two sites | $2.46m |
| Quincey Jones Jelly Preserves Co. | Moama | New cooking, packing and storage equipment | $176,731 |
The other 16 projects are spread across the region.
Why the money is being spent
The program helps farming communities adjust as the federal government buys back water for the environment. The aim is to help local businesses grow so towns keep their jobs. Minister Moriarty said NSW does not support water buybacks, but wants to make sure local industries have the infrastructure they need to stay competitive.
Note that the 624 figure covers both new jobs and existing jobs kept, so not every position will be a new vacancy.
Jobs likely to come up
- Dairy and farm work: milkers, farmhands and machinery operators as the Blighty dairy expands
- Engineering and trades: fabricators, welders and mechanics in Hay
- Food manufacturing: production, packing and warehouse roles in Moama
- Construction: builders, plumbers and labourers for the new facilities and water works
How to apply
There is no central application page. Contact the businesses directly or watch local job boards, council websites and regional newspapers in the Riverina and far west of NSW.
What it means for job seekers
- Regional work can pay off: lower living costs and less competition for roles than in Sydney.
- Farm experience helps: dairy and agriculture employers value hands-on skills and machinery licences.
- Overseas workers: some regional employers take part in skilled and regional visa programs, so ask employers directly.
- Get your tickets: forklift, white card and first aid certificates make you job-ready for construction and factory roles.
More regional NSW news: the Teralba train factory with 550 jobs. For mining roles in the north, read about 24,000 workers needed in North West Queensland.
More openings: all Australia jobs
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs will the NSW Southern Basin projects create?
The 20 projects are expected to create and retain 624 jobs across the region.
Which towns benefit from the funding?
Named projects are in Blighty, Buronga–Gol Gol, Hay and Moama, with others across the southern Basin.
Who pays for the program?
The Australian Government funds it and the NSW Government delivers it through the Sustainable Communities Program.
How do I find jobs from these projects?
There is no single application page. Contact the businesses directly or watch local job boards and council notices in the region.
Apply only through the official source.
Open official notice →TheJobSeek never charges for jobs and is not a recruitment agency. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer or visa in the name of this article, it is a scam.
