
Australia has a highly mobile population, with around 40% of people changing their address every five years. In 2021, 14.3% of the population changed their address within Australia in the year prior to the census, a slight increase from previous years. The most common reasons for moving within Australia are work, education, relationships, illness, disability, and downsizing. Australians also move between states, with Melbourne and Brisbane being popular destinations. In 2023-24, Australia's population gained 445,640 people through overseas migration, with a net gain recorded in every state and territory.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of people who changed their address within Australia in the year prior to the 2021 Census | 14.3% |
| Percentage of people who changed their address within Australia every five years | 40% |
| Percentage of people who changed their address within Australia every five years (aged 15 years and over) | 43% |
| Percentage of people who moved a distance of less than 10km in 2005 | 60% |
| Percentage of Australians under the age of 30 who were still living at home in 2017 | 56% |
| Percentage of young people aged 20-34 living with their parents in 2006 | 23% |
| Percentage of young people aged 19-34 living with their parents in 1986 | 19% |
| Percentage of Australians leaving home before their mid-30s who returned home at least once (based on 06-07 data) | 46% |
| Number of interstate movers in 2018-19 | 404,000 |
| Number of people who moved interstate within the September quarter of 2020 | 76,200 |
| Number of people contributed to Australia's population through net overseas migration in the year ending June 30, 2024 | 446,000 |
| Number of people contributed to Australia's population through net overseas migration in 2023-24 | 445,640 |
| Number of people who lived overseas in 2020 | 175,000 |
| Number of people who lived overseas in 2015 | 399,600 |
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What You'll Learn
- Australians are one of the most mobile populations globally, with nearly 40% changing addresses every 5 years
- In 2017, work was the primary reason for interstate moves, a shift from 2002, where family was the main reason
- Interstate moves are becoming more popular, with Melbourne and Brisbane being the top destinations
- In 2021, 14.3% of Australians changed addresses within the country, a slight increase from previous years
- Defence workers are most likely to move, while farmers are least likely

Australians are one of the most mobile populations globally, with nearly 40% changing addresses every 5 years
Australians are one of the most mobile populations globally, with nearly 40% changing addresses every five years. This makes the Australian population twice as mobile as the global average. However, internal migration within Australia has decreased over the past four decades. Between 1981 and 2016, the proportion of Australians changing their state of residence fell by 20%, and their movement between regions within states dropped by 25%.
There are several factors influencing the mobility of Australians. One factor is the increase in dual-income households, which now account for two-thirds of couples, up from 56% in 2001. These couples may find it more challenging to relocate jointly, contributing to the decline in interstate migration. Additionally, individuals with limited resources may face difficulties in mobility due to rising housing costs and stagnant wages, potentially leading to a two-tier migration system.
The most common reason for internal migration in Australia is moving for work. In 2017, work-related reasons surpassed family-related reasons as the primary motivation for moving between states. Occupations in the Defence Force have the highest proportion of people who have moved within the last five years, while farmers are the least likely to have changed addresses. Families with young children are also an essential aspect of migration in Australia, with a higher proportion of families with children under 15 years of age relocating compared to those without children.
While Australians are highly mobile within their own country, international migration has seen some fluctuations. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted migration patterns, with a decrease in the number of residents who had lived overseas one and five years ago. The decline in international students contributed to this drop, as a large proportion of the 15-24 age group engages in tertiary study abroad.
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In 2017, work was the primary reason for interstate moves, a shift from 2002, where family was the main reason
Australia has a very mobile population, with nearly 40% of people changing their address every five years. This figure is even higher for people aged 15 and over, with 43% having moved in the last five years.
Additionally, the high cost of living in certain cities may also play a factor in interstate moves. Cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane are popular destinations, but they also have high living expenses. As a result, some people may choose to move interstate to more affordable areas, such as the Gold Coast, Adelaide, or Hobart.
While work is a significant factor, other reasons for interstate moves include education, relationships, illness or disability, and the desire to downsize or seek a slower pace of life. For example, some families may trade big city living for a rural lifestyle to escape the stress of corporate jobs and long commutes.
Overall, the reasons for interstate moves in Australia vary, but work has become an increasingly important factor since 2017, reflecting the changing priorities and needs of the mobile Australian population.
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Interstate moves are becoming more popular, with Melbourne and Brisbane being the top destinations
Australia has a highly mobile population, with around 40% of people changing their address every five years. In 2021, 14.3% of Australians changed their address within the country in the year prior to the census, a slight increase from the 2011 and 2016 census.
Interstate moves are becoming increasingly popular, with Queensland, and its capital Brisbane, being the top destinations. Brisbane gained the most people through net internal migration in the March 2021 quarter, with a net gain of 3,300 people. Queensland saw a net gain of 7,000 people in the same period, the highest among all states. The Sunshine State's popularity is attributed to its burgeoning job market and the allure of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts.
Melbourne, Victoria is another popular destination for interstate movers. In September, Melbourne reclaimed the top position as the number one place to move in Australia, with 28% of all metro inbound moving enquiries. Melbourne's net migration climbed from -24% in August to -5% in September, the closest it has been to positive net migration since before the pandemic. The cultural allure of Melbourne, with its coffee laneways, art scenes, and sporting events, remains a significant pull factor.
Other states and territories in Australia also offer unique blends of culture, landscapes, and opportunities that attract interstate movers. For example, Western Australia's mining sector, Tasmania's equilibrium between arrivals and departures, and the Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) appeal to students and public service professionals.
Overall, various factors influence interstate moving trends in Australia, including job opportunities, lifestyle choices, and economic factors.
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In 2021, 14.3% of Australians changed addresses within the country, a slight increase from previous years
Australia has a highly mobile population, with nearly 40% of people changing their address every five years. In 2021, 14.3% of Australians changed their address within the country, a slight increase from previous years. This percentage is calculated based on the number of people who lived at the same address as the year before.
The COVID-19 pandemic appears to have had a minimal effect on internal migration in Australia. While there was a decline in the number of residents who had lived overseas in the one and five years preceding the 2021 Census, this can be attributed to a decrease in the number of non-Australian citizens living in the country. The pandemic may have also accelerated the long-term decline in the intensity of internal migration, particularly for residential mobility, short-distance migration, and migration due to employment and involuntary reasons. However, the overall impact of COVID-19 on internal migration in Australia is expected to be short-lived.
Several factors influence internal migration patterns in Australia. The intensity of migration varies with the business cycle, as people move in response to opportunities in the housing and labour markets. For example, in 2017, the most common reason for interstate moves was work, marking a shift from 2002 when family was the primary reason. Additionally, people in certain occupations, such as the defence force, are more likely to move frequently.
Interstate moves are also influenced by the popularity of different cities. For instance, Melbourne and Brisbane have been trending as popular destinations, while Perth, Sydney, and Adelaide have seen a decline in net migration.
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Defence workers are most likely to move, while farmers are least likely
Australians are highly mobile, with nearly 40% of people changing their address every five years. Defence workers are likely to be a part of this mobile population, given the dynamic nature of their jobs and the skills they possess. Defence workers are often involved in joint operational and training units, such as the Joint Military Police Unit and the Joint Helicopter Aircrew Training School. They are also required to move between different locations to patrol Australia's maritime borders. Additionally, the defence industry offers a wide range of career opportunities and encourages workers to retrain and upskill, making defence workers more mobile in terms of their career paths.
On the other hand, farmers are least likely to move due to their strong connection to the land they work on. Most farmers own the land they work on, and farming is often a profession passed down through generations. Farmers manage more than half of Australia's landmass, and their work involves raising livestock and growing crops, which requires stability and a long-term commitment to the land. They are also dependent on the weather, which can be unpredictable, further discouraging frequent moves. While farmers may not move physically, they are not immune to the impacts of internal migration. As more people move to cities, the gap between rural and urban communities widens, and farmers may find themselves increasingly isolated and misunderstood by city dwellers.
The mobility of defence workers and farmers in Australia is influenced by various factors. Defence workers tend to be more mobile due to the nature of their jobs, the availability of diverse career paths, and the encouragement to retrain and upskill. In contrast, farmers are less likely to move because of their strong ties to their land, the intergenerational nature of farming, and their dependence on weather patterns. These factors contribute to the overall migration trends within Australia, with defence workers being more mobile and farmers being more stationary.
While defence workers and farmers represent opposite ends of the mobility spectrum, it's important to recognize that internal migration in Australia is influenced by a multitude of factors, including life transitions, economic conditions, and personal circumstances. The decision to move or stay put is often complex and varies across different segments of the population.
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Frequently asked questions
Nearly 40% of Australians change their address every five years, with 14.3% of the population changing their address within Australia in 2021.
The most common reasons for moving between states in Australia are work, education, relationships, illness, disability, and downsizing.
Interstate moves are trending up, with Melbourne and Brisbane being popular destinations. In 2018-19, there were 404,000 interstate movers, a 2.9% increase year over year.
In 2005, 60% of people moving house in Australia moved a distance of less than 10km.











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