A new campaign urges city dwellers to look to regional Australia for their next career move.
More Jobs; More Opportunities is part of the Regional Australia Institute’s Move To More initiative, celebrating the benefits of life outside capital cities.
From today, Australia’s regionally-curious can explore the jobs and homes on offer in almost 2000 regional cities, towns and villages, thanks to Move To More partners SEEK and Domain: Australia’s premier employment and property platforms.
“Regional Australia is on the frontline of the nation’s jobs and skills challenge,” RAI CEO Liz Ritchie said.
The July jobs vacancy data revealed an unprecedented 87,000 in regional Australia.
A figure that is estimated to increase two to three-fold when accounting for jobs promoted by word of mouth or social media.
“Seventy-seven per cent of regional employers said that they found it difficult to recruit the staff that they needed, according to the RAI’s analysis of ABS Labour Force research.” Ms Ritchie said.
“RAI’s regional consultation found 90% of respondents believed their region didn’t have the right skills needed to fill the growing number of roles available.
“Right now, regional Australia needs health care professionals, engineers; tour guides; tradespeople; teachers; childcare experts; farm hands; meat processors; baristas and more.
“Of course, COVID-19 has changed the way we work forever. For many this means the chance to be freed from the shackles of office life. Now you can work where you love, as opposed to living where you work.”
RAI research says 1-in-5 regional Australians are considering leaving city limits behind for a life in regional Australia.
“A yearning for a better lifestyle and more space and value are key motivators.
“For too long, there’s been a misconception that career progression was a sacrifice of moving regionally.
“We’re busting that myth. Now it’s clear a rewarding job with an attractive salary is also part of the regional package!”
SEEK Head of Government Relations, Kadi Taylor said Australia was experiencing the Great Job Boom with more jobs available than ever before.
“This is especially true for regional Australia,” Ms Taylor said.
“Job ad volumes on seek.com.au are up by 36% in regional areas compared to 30% in the metros.
“SEEK is delighted to be supporting the RAI with the Move To More initiative by highlighting the many diverse and rewarding career opportunities available across regional Australia right now.”
Domain CEO and Managing Director Jason Pellegrino said Domain’s partnership with regional Australia Institute was focused on increasing the awareness of regional properties and the reality of what a Move to More could look like.
“Through our data we can see the property aspirations of Australians and there is a growing appetite to 'move to more' with keyword searches on Domain for "regional" having increased by 57% over the past year putting hard data behind the 'tree change' narrative.
“We are proud supporters of RAI and their advocacy for regionalisation. and look forward to applying our insights and research to help consumers and governments make confident property decisions that support a thriving regional Australia.”
Find out more about the opportunities in regional Australia: www.movetomore.com.au/morejobs
Move To More Partners are Domain, nbn co., Muval and SEEK.
Move To More is supported by the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
For media enquiries contact:
Alexandra Macaulay
Regional Australia Institute
0409 652 465
[email protected]
For media requests relating to regional jobs, please contact:
SEEK
Andy Maxey
[email protected]
0467 748 567