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The Regional Hotspots Attracting People From Capital Cities Revealed

The Regional Movers Index hit a record high in the March 2026 quarter, with city-to-region moves making up 11.9 per cent of all internal Australian migration.
Sydney and Melbourne dominated the list of capital cities people left for regions, with 55 per cent and 36 per cent shares respectively, driven by cost of living and housing opportunities.
The Sunshine Coast remains the nation's most popular destination with an 8.8 per cent share of total net migration, while Toowoomba recorded a 236.4 per cent increase in net inflows.
Moorabool Shire Mayor Steven Venditti-Taylor warned that booming populations are placing significant pressure on infrastructure, though Regional Australia Institute argues the trend creates opportunity for national productivity.
Regional Australia Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie called the shift "a once-in-a-generation opportunity" to set an ambitious national plan, urging government to respond before infrastructure pressure builds.

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High cost of living fuels record regional migration, report says

The rate at which capital city dwellers are moving the regions is at its highest level on record, which the report's author says shows the trend is more than a post-COVID blip.

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Lean Left

The regional hotspots attracting people from capital cities revealed

Australia's Regional Movers Index reveals record high migration from capital cities. Learn which areas are emerging as hotspots and why this trend continues.

2 days ago

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Newcastle Herald

Lean Left

Why the Lower Hunter is one of Australia's population hotspots

The Regional Movers Index reached a record high in March 2026. Discover why more Australians are leaving cities for a regional life. You can read more here.

2 days ago·Newcastle, Australia

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Australian Rural & Regional News

Regional moves hit record levels as more Australians opt for life beyond the big cities: Regional Australia Institute I Australian Rural & Regional News

Regional Australia Institute (RAI), Media Release, 23 June 2026 Australia’s shift toward regional living has reached a record peak, with the latest Regional Movers Index (RMI) hitting its highest level in the March 2026 quarter. The RMI is a partnership between the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (CBA) and the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) that tracks population movements between Australia’s capital cities and regions. The Index was up 20.1…

1 day ago

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NBN News

More citysiders moving regional according to new data

New data shows people continue to leave capital cities for regional areas in droves. A key survey, seeing the most movers since its creation in 2021 – and in the Hunter, it’s sparked calls for more investment in housing and transport.

1 day ago

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