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National Regional Housing Summit Outcomes and Recommendations

Regional Australia is experiencing change like never before. More people than ever are looking to make a life outside our capital cities, and many have already made the move. Each month internet-advertised job vacancies continue to hover at rates just under 100,000. Demand is highest for professional skilled roles and those fundamental to regional living such as GPs, nurses, allied health professionals, aged care workers and early years educators. However, housing persists as a key barrier to facilitating this growth, with rental vacancies continuing at detrimental lows and new housing playing ‘catchup’ to population needs. This Discussion Paper was used to assist in directing conversation at the National Regional Housing Summit 2024.

Towards Net Zero - Transition Pathways In Regional Australia

This report is one of four prepared by the Regional Australia Institute in 2023/24, looking into issues affecting regions as we move towards net zero emissions by 2050. This report sets out potential pathways for communities and businesses in regional Australia by exploring Australia’s position in the global context; examining the role of Regional Cities; and highlighting the elements of success in communities that are leading the way. The report was funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Communications and the Arts; the Victorian Government Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions; the South Australian Government Department of Primary Industries and Regions; the Western Australian Government Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development; and the Queensland Government Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.

Big Movers 2023

The RAI has updated and expanded our original research using data from the 2021 Census. The new report offers an overview of population flows between capital cities and regional Australia delves deeper into millennials' migration patterns and the overseas-born population. The Big Movers 2023 report was funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts.

Against the odds - Realising regional Australia’s workforce potential

A tight labour market is the key characteristic of the current Australian employment landscape. Multiple internal and external factors influence the Australian labour market including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, an ageing population, rapid technological change, and housing shortages. This report is funded through the Regional Australia Institute’s Intergovernmental Shared Inquiry Program. The Regional Australia Institute wishes to acknowledge the support of our funding partners - the Australian Government through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Communications and the Arts; the Victorian Government through the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions; the South Australian Government through the Department of Primary Industries and Regions; the Western Australian Government through the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development; and the Government of Queensland through the Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water.

Federal Government Pre-Budget Submission 2023-2024

The RAI is pleased to provide a submission to guide the 2023-2024 Federal Budget formation.

Maranoa and Western Downs Childcare Study

Regional Australia is already recognised as an attractive place to live and work. It has a highly mobile population. While people choose to move or stay in regional areas for economic and employment related reasons, other factors influence their mobility decisions such as the ‘liveability’ of the location. The importance of liveability has become increasingly recognised across Australia as central to community and regional planning. Access to, and the availability of childcare is a key factor. According to research by the Mitchell Institute, 3.7 million regional Australians live in a ‘childcare desert’ - a region where there are three children per childcare place. A key finding of that research was that childcare deserts are disproportionately located in rural and regional areas, with towns of less than 1,500 the most at risk of a lack of childcare. The challenge facing the provision of childcare is its market-based nature – which, despite increased government assistance through the Child Care Subsidy, is not a government provided service. As such, the provision of childcare in many rural and remote communities is sitting within market blackspots of economic feasibility and increasing demand. This study, funded by Origin Energy as Upstream Operator of Australia Pacific LNG, and conducted by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), has focused on the accessibility, availability, affordability and quality of childcare and the subsequent impacts on workforce participation, liveability, population attraction and retention in the Maranoa and Western Downs Local Government Areas (LGAs) in South-West Queensland. Importantly, the purpose of this study has been to collate evidence on the operation of childcare and provide it back to these two communities, to facilitate further discussion.

Regional Jobs 2022: The Big Skills Challenge

Regional Jobs 2022: The Big Skills Challenge, compiled by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI), analyses regional job vacancy data from both 2022 and from the last decade to present a view of the labour market challenges and opportunities in regional Australia.

LGA Population Change – Share Of Newly-arrived Migrants

Many of Australia’s newly arrived overseas migrants are living in the regions, according to the latest census data from the Australia Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Building the Good Life: Meeting the demand for regional housing

This discussion paper highlights the different drivers of housing problems in different parts of regional Australia. These different drivers mean that the responses, too, need to be tailored to each region if they are to be effective.

Liveability Toolkit

This Toolkit has been developed in response to the growing need in regional communities to attract and retain populations. It builds on the Regional Australia Institute’s research across rural and regional Australia on population mobility, regional jobs and liveability. It draws together insights from this work to create a practical guide for regional leaders who are seeking to attract and retain populations in their town. The Toolkit recognises that Australia has a highly mobile population and that regional “liveability” has a strong role to play in influencing people’s decisions about where to live. This Toolkit is a guide to help regional leaders gather and analyse the data that can help them develop a tailored action plan to improve their town’s liveability. By developing a place-based Liveability Action Plan, regional towns can become more successful in attracting the people that they need for a strong and prosperous future. A deep understanding by regional leaders of the liveability factors of their town will also ensure that any future “marketing” of the town to attract new residents can be well-targeted. The way the Toolkit has been designed allows regional leaders to address this issue in a manner which reflects the unique strengths, challenges and vision of their particular town.