Regional Australia is home to more than 10 million people, yet housing, infrastructure and essential services are struggling to keep pace with growth. The Regional Australia Institute’s Regional Population Planning report calls for a coordinated national settlement strategy to better support regional communities and ease pressure on major cities.
The report estimates regional Australia could grow by 6.2 million people by 2050, creating opportunities to strengthen local economies, address workforce shortages and sustain essential services. Migration is central to this growth, with overseas migration accounting for 46.2% of regional population growth in 2025.
However, infrastructure gaps and uneven population growth continue to limit regional potential. The report calls for greater investment in housing, services and infrastructure, alongside migration pathways aligned with local workforce needs.
A coordinated approach to regional population planning could help build stronger communities, distribute growth more sustainably and create opportunities for people to live, work and invest beyond Australia’s capital cities.