For decades, the narrative was that young people leave the country for the city to "make it". But in 2026, the flow appears to be reversing.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
New data from the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) reveals 49 per cent of metropolitan Australians aged 18 to 29 now have their eyes on the regions, citing affordability and career launches as the primary "pull factors".
The research, commissioned in partnership with ViewJobs, found while younger city dwellers were more open to a move, 64 per cent of Baby Boomers planned to stay put.
Concerns about employment options raised in the 2020 survey have also changed significantly, with the prospect of salary increases or more rapid career progression among the major reasons identified for a move to the regions in 2026.
Jade spent her early 20s navigating the fast-paced Sydney environment while studying at uni. While she loved the cultural and intellectual rigour, the daily grind was pretty soul-crushing.
"I remember sitting on a bus six weeks into my first year of uni ... I told myself, 'This is not my long-term life in the city'."
"I always say I had fun in Sydney, but my life wasn't fun," she said. "Most of my life was sitting on public transport for two hours to get somewhere ... I just didn't have time in the day. The pace was really intense."
After six years navigating the fast paced metro life, the pandemic hit and Jade met a fork in the road.
"COVID was for me, a little glimpse of a door opening and I was like, 'Oh, there's my exit'," Jade said. So, she returned to her roots in Coffs Harbour and hasn't looked back.
She is now part of a growing exodus of Generation Z choosing to pack their bags and move to the country.
'The great urban exodus'
Jade's experience is exactly what RAI CEO Liz Ritchie describes as a shift in the Australian Dream.
"The days of capital cities having the agglomeration benefits that they had 10 years ago are long gone," she said.
"The cost of being too big, the cost of being too dense, the cost of getting anything done, is why we're at a standstill with regard to productivity," Ms Ritchie said.
"I think the saying about the great Australian dream of owning a home is alive and well. Well, I think we could change that to ... the great Australian dream is now about living in regional Australia."
Cheaper cost of living, affordable housing, and a sense of nature and community were the main attractions for Gen Z movers.
A perception of increased salaries was the number one factor persuading them to take jobs outside of metropolitan Australia, alongside relocation payments, flexible working conditions, and career growth.
"Regional Australia has a lot to offer younger people - this is why we say the future of Australia is regional," Ms Ritchie said.
Founder of ViewJobs, Lewis Romano, said regional Australia represented one of the most significant workforce and economic opportunities in the country.
"Regional markets are actively seeking skilled and motivated workers, and the breadth of roles available today means people can build meaningful careers without compromising on ambition or earning potential," Mr Romano said.
'A wake-up call'
Regional Australia has suffered alongside the growth of capital cities. Ms Ritchie said in order to capitalise on regional interest, investment needed to follow.
"This is a wake-up call for employers and policy makers. The momentum to move to the regions continues, so we need to plan for it," Ms Ritchie said.
"We need ... investment in regional infrastructure and a commitment to ensure that regional life is not 'second tier'."
Alongside insufficient infrastructure, social fatigue is an issue facing regional 'blow-ins'.
While regional cities offer a reprieve from the expensive and competitive rat race, isolation from loved ones was the biggest barrier for the move at 39 per cent.
Now a uni lecturer herself, Jade has the chance to work remotely. Though she notes others aren't so lucky, particularly those chasing specific roles. Like many regional hubs, Jade said the regional job market was often a choice between two buildings.
"It kind of feels like most of the time the jobs are at a school or a hospital, and that's kind of the extent of job opportunities outside of the city," Jade says.
However, the RAI's 2025 Beyond City Limits study found 80 occupations where regional salaries actually beat metro equivalents. Liz Ritchie argues the "fast-track" nature of the regions means less competition and more opportunity for young talent.
Who's moving and who's staying put
Unsurprisingly, young Sydneysiders are leading the metro exodus due to difficulties in the housing market.
Metropolitan Baby Boomers buck the cliche and have firmly planted their feet in the concrete, with 64 per cent saying they are staying put; chiefly contributable to concerns about access to healthcare.
Years of Millennial ladder climbing introduces hesitation for this cohort to move to the regions, though 41 per cent are tempted by affordability.
"The future is looking very different for regional Australia. We are experiencing a regional renaissance," Ms Ritchie said.
"Our Gen Z followed by our Millennials have the the dream of making it their home and their life in regional Australia. They're dreaming of 'moving to more' as we call it."
Overall, the annual snapshot shows more than 5.3 million or one-in-three (37 per cent) metropolitan Australians have set their sights on regional Australia, saying they would consider a future move.
Would you consider moving to the regions? Have you already made a move? Or are you wedded to the city lifestyle? Let us know in the comments.
