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Invest Wollongong
  • Why Wollongong
    • Large talent pool
    • Vibrant coastal city
    • Work-life balance
    • Supportive environment
    • One hour south of Sydney
    • UOW – a global university
    • Costs and staff retention
    • Business case studies
  • Key opportunities
    • Key opportunities
    • Advanced manufacturing
    • Defence
    • Professional services
    • Scaleups and entrepreneurs
    • Tech
    • Clean energy
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Large talent pool 20,000+ commuters, skilled locals and UOW graduates
Vibrant coastal city Discover more about why you will love living here
Work-life balance A city where you can achieve real work-life balance
Supportive environment Discover more about local business networks and support
One hour south of Sydney Strategic location, close to Sydney, its airport, and Canberra
UOW – a global university Where you can develop research and commercial partnerships
Costs and staff retention Up to 33% more cost effective than Sydney, Melbourne and Parramatta
Business case studies Hear from the experience of business people who live and work in Wollongong (and love it).
Key opportunities Wollongong provides opportunities across industries and key sectors
Advanced manufacturing Future focus on advanced machinery, equipment design and manufacturing
Defence Capabilities and innovative research in defence technologies and services
Professional services Professional, financial, and shared services firms call Wollongong home
Scaleups and entrepreneurs Wollongong scale-up successes and our entrepreneurial community
Tech Growing hub for forward-thinking tech companies and start-ups
Clean energy Wollongong is emerging as a clean and low-carbon energy hub
Set up a business Find practical information to hit the ground running
Our economic profile Statistics covering our economy and workforce
Our precincts Explore Wollongong's business precincts
Our business networks A list of business groups, networks and meetups
Finding real estate Discover our commercial, industrial and residential options
Economic development The plan for our city between now and 2029
Registering a business Tips and links to set up your business here
Case studies Hear from the experience of business people who live and work in Wollongong (and love it).
How we can help Find out the various ways we can help you and your business
Business case development Assistance with developing your business case for Wollongong
Creating connections We can help you meet the right people in the right places
International team Reach out to our colleagues in your country
Incentives and programs Information about the incentives and programs to support your move

Meet Warwick Shanks

Home / Why Wollongong / Why we chose Wollongong / Meet Warwick Shanks

Q&A with Warwick Shanks

Managing Partner – Wollongong, KPMG

KPMG’s Wollongong office is one of 153 globally, providing a full range of professional services.

What have you found to be the main advantage of basing your business in Wollongong?

Wollongong is a great location for KPMG to have an office as there are a broad range of clients who require the professional services of a firm like ours delivered by locally based staff.

For our people it provides the opportunity for interesting and challenging work across a variety of industries. We also have the opportunity (and responsibility) to contribute to our communities, both professionally and personally.

What experience have you had recruiting the talent you need in Wollongong?

We have been able to recruit 4-5 high quality graduates from the University of Wollongong each year and, when required, we supplement this with experienced people, often those who are looking to return to the region having worked in Sydney or overseas.

How does living and working in Wollongong help with work-life balance?

Living and working in Wollongong provides an easier level of work-life balance through two main reasons:

  • All of our people have a much smaller commute than in a capital city which means we can be involved with family activities (such as school drop off and sporting activities) and in sporting or community activities.
  • We are able to live and work closer together which allows us to be involved in our family activities during the day (such as attending a sports carnival or a school assembly item).

What kind of a business environment is there in Wollongong?

Wollongong has a very supportive business community and provides many opportunities for networking.  These include industry-based organisations as well as broader business and community groups.

The University of Wollongong also has strong industry linkages and events which greatly benefit businesses and provide opportunities for students and researchers.

What are some of the things you personally love about living in Wollongong?

It has been an amazing place to bring up our children. We have many of the same opportunities as a capital city (including theatre, concerts, national and international sporting events) and these are also readily accessible in Sydney.

There is a full range of schooling opportunities including public selective, performing arts and sports high schools, a strong systemic catholic school system and co-educational and single sex private schools.

“Our lifestyle is second to none and you can live and enjoy recreational activities across beaches, the lake and the escarpment. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”

What do you feel is unique about Wollongong?

Wollongong is an independent regional city with easy access to a major capital city, Sydney, and also the wider world through an international airport only an hour away.

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