Expression of Interest: Be Part of the Rural Workforce Partnership Pilot (2026)

Across rural Australia, workforce shortages are limiting access to essential services, community wellbeing, and regional prosperity. The Rural Workforce Partnership (RWP) brings together three leading regional organisations - Unearthed Prosperity, Attract Connect Stay (ACS), and Rural Workforce Australia - to co-design and test an innovative, evidence-informed solution. This important work will directly inform Local Connect's future service delivery and enable our sustainability.

We are seeking up to six pilot organisations across healthcare, professional services, and other essential sectors to participate in this landmark initiative.

About the Pilot

Running from January to December 2026, the Regional Workforce Partnership (RWP) pilot will trial a practical, place-based workforce service model built on the proven Attract Connect Stay framework - combining attraction, social connection, and long-term retention strategies tailored to rural and regional contexts.

Each participating organisation will receive:

A tailored workforce solution addressing specific recruitment and retention challenges.
Access to co-designed tools and resources developed by national experts in rural workforce development.
Dedicated partner support and implementation coaching throughout the pilot year.
Discounted participation fees, reflecting the in-kind contributions of partner organisations.
Direct involvement in shaping a scalable, long-term workforce model that will inform future policy and investment across regional Australia.

Why Participate

This pilot is more than research - it’s a real-world collaboration designed to deliver measurable results for your organisation and your community.

By joining, you’ll:

Strengthen your organisation’s ability to attract and keep skilled professionals.
Gain early access to a tested workforce service proposition built for regional realities.
Contribute to a national model that places local organisations at the centre of the solution.
Be recognised as a founding pilot organisation in the Rural Workforce Partnership - demonstrating leadership, innovation, and community commitment.

Eligibility

We’re seeking organisations that:

Operate in rural or regional Australia;
Employ or seek to employ skilled professionals (e.g. health, allied health, education, community services, or professional sectors);
Are committed to co-design, data collection, and shared learning; and
Can contribute a nominal participation fee aligned with standard professional rates (discounted for pilot involvement).

Next Steps

Connect with us for more information or express your interest by completing this online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GNFGT9Q

Expressions of interest close June 2026.

For more information or to discuss your organisation’s potential involvement, contact:
Margot Davis – Unearthed Prosperity | Regional Workforce Partnership Coordinator
📞 0421473432 | margot@ruralworkforcepartnership.com.au

About the Partnership

The Rural Workforce Partnership is a place-based, evidence-driven initiative designed to address one of the most persistent constraints in rural, regional and remote communities. It is built on the Whole-of-Person Retention Improvement Framework (known as Attract Connect Stay).

Built on the proven Attract Connect Stay framework, recognised by both the World Health Organisation and the Australian Government, the Partnership extends this model beyond healthcare into a broader, cross-sector engagement approach. The goal is simple but ambitious: build the internal capability of organisations and communities to solve their own workforce challenges, rather than relying on short-term or transactional recruitment approaches.