Key points
- Australian capital cities lost over 11,000 people due to internal migration in the last September quarter
- ABS figures reveal Queensland was the biggest beneficiary, gaining 7,200 people from internal migration in the same quarter
- REA Insights property data show that since last April, enquiries from Victoria to Queensland rose by more than 130 per cent by October
Making a sea or tree change often means uprooting yourself from your existing community to move to a smaller coastal or inland community.
The from the Centre for Population found that migrants contributed to 26 per cent of population growth in regional Australia between 1996 and 2016.
In certain regions, migrants were responsible for more than half of the population growth.
Sea change coach Caroline Cameron isn’t surprised that this trend is increasing among culturally and linguistically diverse communities.
According to the ABS data, capital cities lost over 11,000 people due to internal migration during the September quarter. Source: Getty Images
House prices are more affordable. There are different work, lifestyle opportunities.
Figures from the ABS show that Australian capital cities suffered the biggest net loss due to internal migration in the last September quarter amid COVID-19.
Queensland gained 7,200 people from internal migration in the same quarter, more than any other state or territory.
Also read
Property market during COVID-19
Sunshine Coast-based Next Property Group’s real estate agent Melissa Schembri says she received many inquiries for properties in coastal towns from city dwellers in Victoria, New South Wales, Brisbane and returned expats.
They've been planning on it for years and COVID made them make the decision to do it.
Do your research
A 2005 report from the Australian Coastal Councils Association found that around a fifth of sea or tree changers moved back to the city within two years.
Ms Cameron believes that doing thorough research in the first place will prevent the heartache of settling in a wrong location.
While COVID-19 may limit your ability to visit your desired place of relocation physically, she suggests calling the local visitor information centre or city council to ask for friendly locals you can connect with to get to know the community.
Sea change coach Caroline Cameron suggests connecting with locals to know the community if you can't physically visit your desired place of relocation. Source: Getty Images
For newer settlers who are not proficient in English or have a particular faith, she suggests seeking out a community with residents who understand your language or culture.
Sculptor Dr Farvardin Daliri, a former Iranian refugee of the Baha’i faith, cannot be happier to resettle in Townsville after a long migration journey in India, Melbourne and Tasmania.
He now runs the to help other newcomers resettle in his beloved community.
He says now is a good time for people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to move to smaller towns, many of which have been suffering from a dwindling population in recent years.
Dr Favardin Daliri says people in the regionals communities get to know one another very quickly. Source: Favardin Daliri
Australia has got so much to offer. We’ve got the best of the world in our back yard.
'A sense of belonging is the key.'
Having lived in Melbourne for two years in the early phase of his Australian life, Dr Daliri is convinced that it is easier to make connections in smaller communities.
People get to know you very quickly. You get to know them.
A woman on a viewpoint looking down the beach at Bells Beach near Torquay, Victoria. Source: Getty Images
Isolation is very real if you don’t make a conscious effort to set you out of the house.
If you cannot find people who share your culture and language, finding those with similar hobbies and interests will also help you settle quicker.
If you accept people as you find them, they are far more likely to welcome and accept you.
