The Sunshine Coast in Queensland continues to rank as one of the top migration destinations in Australia, even as regional residents begin moving toward more distant and affordable areas, according to the Regional Movers Index (RMI), issued in collaboration between the Commonwealth Bank and the Regional Australia Institute.
Migration from major cities remains steady toward areas such as the Sunshine Coast and Greater Geelong in Victoria, although at a slower pace compared to last year.
The top five destinations list included the Sunshine Coast, followed by Greater Geelong, then Fraser Coast, which replaced Lake Macquarie in fourth place, and Moorabool in fifth. The Fraser Coast region, located north of the Sunshine Coast, has become an increasingly popular destination for people relocating within regional areas.
Liz Ritchie, CEO of the Regional Australia Institute, noted that some businesses and individuals are now favoring more distant and diverse locations. While Queensland continues to attract city residents, a growing number are heading further afield in search of more affordable living.
An increase has also been observed in residents moving from Brisbane and Perth to regional areas, and even Brisbane—once a major destination—has begun to see some population outflows. Migration from cities to regional areas accounted for 11.6% of total relocations, marking the second-highest rate since the end of the pandemic in 2022. This figure surpassed reverse migration back to cities by 31%.
Sydney and Melbourne recorded the highest net population outflows at 54% and 38%, respectively, with other cities beginning to follow the same trend. Affordable housing and job opportunities remain the key drivers behind the ongoing shift toward regional living since the end of COVID-19.
