THE latest Regional Movers Index (RMI) figures released show that regional New South Wales has overtaken regional Queensland and claimed the title of being the most desirable location for metropolitan movers, according to the September 2023 quarter figures.

The Regional Movers Index is a partnership between Commonwealth Bank of Australia and the Regional Australia Institute, which analyses the quarterly and annual trends in people moving to and from Australia’s regional areas.

The latest RMI shows two-in-five people (39 per cent) moving from cities, in net terms, headed to regional New South Wales in the 12 months to September 2023, up from 26 per cent in the previous 12-month period.

In comparison, regional Queensland now accounts for 33 per cent of net capital outflows, down from 37 per cent a year ago, with regional Victoria the third most popular destination accounting for 21 per cent of all net capital outflows.

Regional Australia Institute (RAI) chief executive, Liz Ritchie, said Sydneysiders were leading the charge when it came to regional relocations.

“When you look at all the people who left cities for the regions in the last year, 80 per cent of them came from Sydney,” she said.

“In the 12 months to September 2022, it was just over 60 per cent.

“It suggests that the bigger our cities get, the stronger the draw to our wonderful regions becomes.”

The Snowy Valleys Local Government Area (LGA) in southern NSW emerged as a hot spot for movers, recording a more than 200 per cent increase in net internal migration over the last quarter and an almost 130 per cent increase over the last year.

Other increasingly popular LGAs in regional NSW include Greater Hume Shire, Ballina, Cessnock, and Lake Macquarie.

Ms Ritchie said the data showed Australia continued to have a highly mobile population, with the overall number of movers this quarter at its third highest level since March 2018.

“RMI data is repeatedly showing the exodus of people from capital cities wasn’t a short-lived phenomenon due to pandemic lockdowns, with capital to regional migration levels currently 11.7 per cent above the pre-Covid (2018 and 2019) average,” she said.

“It’s why we continue to work with government, industry, business and community on the RAI’s Regionalisation Ambition – a 10-year, 20-goal framework designed to help decision makers prepare for an Australia where more people live in our regions.”

She said the Regionalisation Ambition includes a goal to increase regional Australia’s population to more than 11 million by 2032 – up from the forecast 10.5 million.

“In September there were 91,400 jobs advertised in regional Australia, which is partly why we’re seeing such strong migration to our country communities,” Ms Ritchie said. 

“But to support our expanding regions, we need to ensure rental vacancy rates rise, building approvals keep pace with population growth and services like childcare and transportation are at suitable levels.”

Commonwealth Bank executive general manager of regional and agribusiness banking, Paul Fowler, said growth in regional Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland also remained strong, with employment, lifestyle and housing opportunities continuing to drive a surge in mobility across the country.

“When it comes to regional hotspots at a local government area level, the Sunshine Coast firmly cemented its spot as the most popular destination for movers, topping the top five list for the fourth consecutive quarter,” he said.

“Greater Geelong emerged as the second most popular destination by share of migration.

“Regional centres like these are buzzing with business activity and investment and offer the lifestyle benefits of a regional location – more affordable housing, cheaper cost of living, less traffic congestion, strong community connections – within comfortable commuting distance of capital cities.”

Waroona (WA), Greater Geraldton (WA), Snowy Valleys (NSW), Golden Plains (Vic) and Douglas (Qld) made up the top five highest growth regional hotspots, in terms of net internal migration, in the 12 months to September 2023.

“For city dwellers making the move, they were increasingly drawn to some of the far reaches of Australia, with the latest data showing the LGAs with the highest annual growth rates (in net capital-regional migration) emerging in the northern reaches of Queensland and in a remote pocket of South Australia,” Mr Fowler said.

“Douglas in Far North Queensland recorded a two-fold increase in net inflows from the capitals at 95.5 per cent, with a quarterly growth rate of 12.3 per cent, while growth in Ceduna in South Australia was up by 59.5 per cent.

“Douglas lured most of its movers from other states and almost 60 per cent were millennials, compared to just 15 per cent of retirees.

“Good regional job prospects and the likelihood of better house prices and availability are attracting many people to these more remote regional growth hotspots.

“Digital connectivity also means that where you are is less relevant today.

“As a result, it’s likely many millennial small business owners are choosing to take advantage of the increasing investment and interest in regional development.”