Regional Migration Hits New High

More Australians are leaving capital cities for regional areas, with new Regional Movers Index data showing almost four people moving to the regions for every three moving the other way.

Capital-to-regional moves made up 11.9% of all internal migration in the March quarter, the highest level recorded by the index.

The top destinations for internal migration were the Sunshine Coast, Greater Geelong, Fraser Coast, Moorabool and Lake Macquarie.

Toowoomba recorded the strongest annual growth in net capital-to-regional migration, rising 236.4%, followed by Broome, Townsville, Clarence Valley and Indigo.

Regional Australia Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie said the data highlights where growth pressure is building, helping governments, investors and communities plan for housing, infrastructure and services.

Commonwealth Bank’s Kylie Allen said the trend shows people are making long-term decisions to build their lives in regional communities.