{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Economic research & forecasting Economics Housing outlook Economic reports & data Tailored market research Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News and inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Become an apprentice host Hire an apprentice Why host a HIA apprentice? Apprentice partner program Builder & manufacturer program Industry insurance Construction legal expenses insurance Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Planning & safety solutions Building & planning services How can safety solutions help you? Independent site inspections Solutions for your business Contracts Online HIA Tradepass HIA SafeScan Advertise jobs Trusted support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Professional services Industrial relations Member savings Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Fuel savings See all
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Falls from heights Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Maintaining your business See all Other subjects COVID-19 Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom and design hub Get to know us Our members Our people Our partners Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2023 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA products
HIA products $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Shop @ HIA Digital Australian Standards Contracts Online Shipping & delivery Purchasing T&Cs See all Products Purchase NCC 2022 Building codes & standards Economic reports Hard copy contracts Guides & manuals
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Regions benefit from exodus from Sydney and Melbourne

Media release

Regions benefit from exodus from Sydney and Melbourne

Media release
More than 60,000 people departed Sydney and Melbourne to other parts of the country in the 12 months to March 2021.

ABS data released today includes housing finance, building approvals and interstate migration.

“The exodus of residents from Melbourne is a trend that has emerged following the COVID recession with more than 32,000 residents departing in the year to March. Sydney also lost 31,600 residents to other parts of the country over the same time however, this is consistent with the trends of the past 20 years,” added Mr Reardon.

“This shift in population is the main driver of the tight rental market that exists across the country, other than in Sydney and Melbourne.

“Regional areas have seen a greater increase in building approvals than capital cities as the population shifts toward lower density areas. 

“The 220,000 building approvals in 2020/21 is the most in a financial year since 2017/18.

“Given that the population is moving interstate and building new homes it is unlikely that they intend to return to Sydney or Melbourne.

“The shift in population out of Melbourne is a new trend and one that is compounded by the loss of overseas migration that has underwritten economic growth in Victoria for the past decade.

“ABS Housing Finance data was also released today and shows that there were 94.4 per cent more loans issued for construction of a new home than in the previous financial year. This is the most loans ever issued for construction in a 12 month period.

“HomeBuilder and other grant programs have also ensured that there were more loans issued to first home buyers in 2020/21 than in any previous financial year. 

“Building approvals and issuing of loans for construction did fall in the month of June 2021, confirming that the bulk of new projects initiated under HomeBuilder have passed the last regulatory hurdles,” concluded Mr Reardon.

Capital cities and regions, net internal migration estimates Source: ABS 3101.0

For more information please contact:

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist

Nick Ward

Senior Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
23 Apr
South Australia tops Housing Scorecard again

“South Australia has once again taken out the top spot in HIA’s Housing Scorecard,” stated Stephen Knight, HIA Executive Director.

18 Apr
BASIX transition - Modified or incomplete contracts are ineligible

Building contracts that have been modified or have information missing may be ineligible for the BASIX Transition.

16 Apr
Sales of new homes weak for the start of 2024

“The prospect of a pick-up in home building activity in 2024 is not likely given the low volume of new homes sales in the first three months of 2024,” stated HIA Senior Economist, Tom Devitt.

15 Apr
NSW confirms transitional period for engineered stone ban

On 26 March, HIA advised members that NSW will be adopting a transitional period for the use of engineered stone to ensure businesses can fulfill existing contracts with less disruption and uncertainty. Today, HIA has received the formal confirmation from SafeWork NSW acknowledging the significant impact the ban will have on the operations of businesses HIA represents and the engineered stone industry more broadly.

HIA-COLORBOND® steel Housing 100

Review the latest activities, market share and statistics of Australia’s largest homebuilders and residential developers.

Trades Report

Understand the availability of skilled trades and the costs associated on both a national and state level.

HIA Kitchens and Bathrooms Report

Understand the current and future forecasts for the kitchen and bathroom industries.

New Home Sales Report

Understand the current new home sales and construction activity each month.

Housing Australia's future

Understand the future of housing in Australia with this comprehensive report on population and growth.

HIA Stamp Duty Watch

Understand the latest developments in stamp duty on home purchases.