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Towards Net Zero: Fossil Fuel Dependency

While every region in Australia faces its own unique challenges in the transition to a net zero emissions economy, it will be our smaller and more remote regional areas that will have to make the greatest adjustments.

Towards Net Zero: Building a Legacy

Towards Net Zero: Building a Legacy analyses the factors that contribute to social licence for large-scale renewable energy projects including supportive regulatory frameworks, genuine community engagement and tangible local benefits. The report finds that while two-in-three regional Australians support the energy transition, there remain pockets of opposition to renewable energy projects in host communities due to a range of factors. The 'Towards Net Zero – Building a Legacy' report was funded by the Australian, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australian, Victorian and Western Australian Governments.

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.

Towards Net Zero: Empowering Regional Communities

Regional communities in Australia are joining those around the world to undertake the most significant transformation since the industrial revolution: the transition to net zero emissions. In September 2022, the Commonwealth Government implemented the Climate Change Act (2022) detailing Australia's plan to transition to net zero by 2050. In line with the Paris Agreement, the Australian Government pledged a 43% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from 2005 levels, as well as a longer-term goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050. 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.

Regionalisation Ambition 2032 - Year 2 Progress Report

Just over two years ago, the Regional Australia Institute led the development of a holistic framework to better plan for and invest in the growth of regional Australia – the Regionalisation Ambition 2032: a Framework to Rebalance the Nation. Spanning five pillars, the Ambition is underpinned by 20 targets addressing fundamental aspects of regional living. If achieved, these targets will improve the lives of regional Australians for generations to come and, importantly, create a better Australia. To keep the nation accountable, the RAI are committed to reporting annually on progress against the 20 targets. Here, the RAI presents the second Regionalisation Ambition Progress Report.

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.