Demand for property in Australia’s regional centres is tipped to continue as new data reveals the number of people leaving city areas is on the rise. The Regional Australia Institute’s (RAI) Regional Movers Index for the September quarter shows more than a third of those moving (35.6%) are going from a capital city to a regional area.

RAI CEO Liz Ritchie says few people are moving in the other direction, as strong job markets across regional Australia and affordable property markets make regional living more desirable. She says the population flow into regional Australia is at its highest level since March 2022 and 80% above the pre-COVID-19 average. The top five locations for regional movers from capital cities are the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Greater Geelong, Moorabool and Lake Macquarie.

Ritchie says it is important that governments help regional centres cope with the growth.
“It’s vital this demographic shift is recognised, and regional communities are provided with the infrastructure, services and support they need. As a nation, we must acknowledge that we are in a new era of migration where regional Australia is at the forefront,” she says. “Regional Australia is growing, and for that to continue we need adequate foundations. The time to lay them is now.”