Demand for property in Australia’s regional areas remains robust, with new data from the Housing Industry Association (HIA) identifying the shift from city to country as a sustained and growing trend. The Housing the Regions report suggests that this movement is even stronger now than during the peak of the pandemic.

As populations continue to grow in regional towns and cities, housing policies must evolve to meet the increased demand. The report stresses the importance of investing in services, skills development, and infrastructure to support these communities.

Simon Croft, HIA Chief Executive of Industry and Policy, points to three main barriers to increasing housing supply in regional Australia: lack of shovel-ready land, insufficient infrastructure investment for new housing estates, and shortages of construction workers.

With 8.5 million people now living in regional Australia, this demographic shift necessitates targeted strategies to ensure regional housing markets remain sustainable and affordable.