The launch of Jobs Riverina – a free job-search portal – in May 2018 by Regional Development Australia (RDA) Riverina helps job seekers find work opportunities.

It also provides employers a way to expand their recruitment activities to an audience specifically interested in working in the region.

RDA director and CEO Rachel Whiting said the platform was unique because it shows jobs across the whole Riverina.

“RDA Riverina have entered the postcodes of all localities across the Riverina into this platform.

“This platform is for job seekers and employers in the Riverina and those wishing to relocate here,” Ms Whiting said.

Asked about the growth of the platform so far, Ms Whiting said they were obtaining about 100 new jobs per week.

“These are from both direct posts by the employer and jobs the platform grabs from other locations like newspapers.

“People can browse regularly, use the search engine and set up an Air CV too – it is very easy to sign up to use the site,” she said.

The platform has been welcomed by local recruitment agency Wagga Recruitment.

Managing director and founder Rhyley Hunter said it would benefit the region.

“If it’s something that targets the area, it’s a positive. As long as its easy cheap enough for people to use,” he said.

In 2011–16, ABS data shows that the unemployment rate in the Riverina grew from 4.9 per cent to 5.2pc while participation rate decreased from 60.8pc to 58.7pc.

Mr Hunter said it would be interesting to see how it was marketed to areas outside the Riverina.

“If it were marketed properly for metro areas as well, that’s where the value will be – to attract people to come to the site and to the region.”

The need for this platform evolved from what job seekers were telling them in RDA’s other programs.

“We have been marketing the fantastic liveability of the Riverina through Country Change [a program to help those moving to regional areas].

“The majority of these re-locators need jobs before they can make the move.

“We work closely with business and industry through the Grow Our Own, Skilled Migration and other programs, so we know that businesses are finding it difficult to reach the right people,” she said.

Jobs Riverina is a culmination of the aforementioned information.

“The Riverina is a great place to live, work and play.

“We want to do everything we can to help employers find the right people for their business and potential employees to find careers that suit them and build our local economy,” Ms Whiting said.