The latest data from the CommBank and Regional Australia Institute’s Regional Movers Index (RMI) indicated that Australians are migrating further afield, bypassing traditional commuter belts in favor of more remote regions.
Liz Ritchie (pictured left), CEO of the Regional Australia Institute, highlighted the growth in popularity of areas such as Gympie in Queensland, Richmond Valley and Wingecarribee in New South Wales, and East Gippsland in Victoria.
These areas have recently been identified as emerging hotspots in the December 2024 RMI report, demonstrating a significant shift in relocation preferences.
“The desire for regional living remains strong, with 32% more people moving from big cities to regions than in the opposite direction,” Ritchie said.
This trend underscores a continuous shift in the nation’s migration patterns, with regional Australia becoming a new frontier for many seeking career opportunities and lifestyle benefits.
The RMI’s net migration index, which tracks the net population flow into regional Australia, is now 51% above the pre-COVID average, showcasing a robust interest in regional living.
Nicole Gurran, chair of urbanism at the University of Sydney, noted that those leaving cities are typically older and more financially stable, often seeking better lifestyle opportunities and becoming homeowners in their new locations.
While employment is a dominant reason for younger people moving to cities, lifestyle changes, personal reasons, and the pursuit of better housing opportunities are primary drivers for those moving to regional Australia, AHURI found.
As new hotspots for movers emerge further from major cities, the need for adequate infrastructure, funding, and support becomes crucial.
“It’s why we must ensure communities have the infrastructure, funding and support they need to ensure they can continue to welcome new residents,” Ritchie said, pointing to the broadened geographical spread of population growth across the country.
According to Josh Foster (pictured right), CommBank’s acting executive general manager regional and agribusiness banking, while regions like Queensland’s Sunshine Coast remain popular, other areas including Gladstone, Toowoomba, Fraser Coast, Mackay, and Gympie are seeing increased migration.
“The lure of the Sunshine State continues to attract movers, driven by the scenic and often more balanced lifestyle it offers,” Foster said.
He also noted the economic diversification in these regions, with sectors like agriculture and green energy booming, thereby enhancing employment opportunities.
Continued investment in infrastructure, such as roads and transport, is crucial for improving accessibility to these thriving regions.
“CBA is working closely with local government, key industries, and business customers to unlock new areas of investment across the state,” Foster said, highlighting the commercial opportunities that regional growth presents.
The RMI report also pointed to significant regional inflows, with New South Wales and Victoria accounting for 71% of all net regional inflows in the quarter.
Meanwhile, Queensland captured 19%, indicating a strong and diverse migration pattern across the states, the CommBank-Regional Australia Institute figures found.
Read the CommBank media release and download the Regional Movers Index December 2024 report for more information.
