Where do households move over a lifetime? (continued)

This is the second of two AHURI Briefs that examines Census data to understand how households migrate within Australian cities over a lifetime. The first Brief examined the younger 15–24 and 25–44 age cohorts. This second Brief looks at the migration patterns of the older 45–64 and 65+ age cohorts.

Looking at the regional migration data within Australia brings to light the various factors that influence a household's decision to move including employment, study, housing affordability as well as retirement and lifestyle aspirations. Further distinguishing migration data by age cohorts helps identify these various factors over a lifetime.

The ABS records the internal migration patterns within Australia using people’s change of address as registered with Medicare, and presents the information for land areas that approximate local government areas. The latest available data to include local government area migration is for 2015–16. It does not include people who apply for their first Medicare card number (i.e. new born babies and new international migrants) or people who cease to have a Medicare card number (i.e. people who permanently migrate overseas or who die).

45–64 age group migration: moves for affordability and for lifestyle

The most migrated to areas for the 45–64s may suggest that these households are attracted to these areas because of affordability and lifestyle reasons. In NSW, 45–64s are moving to coastal sites (e.g. Wyong and Shoalhaven) and regional areas with cheaper housing (when compared with Sydney prices). No Sydney metropolitan areas are in the top ten migration hotspots.

In Victoria, 45–64s continue to migrate to Melbourne metropolitan fringe suburbs—possibly because housing is cheaper there for those with a family, but we also see people migrate to the central city (perhaps for work or downsizing into smaller dwellings); to sea change/retirement areas (e.g. Surf Coast - Bellarine Peninsula has both new family-orientated housing estates and beachside retirement communities); and to regional centres such as Geelong and Ballarat (possibly because housing is cheaper in these regions compared to Melbourne metropolitan areas).

In Queensland, 45–64s continue to migrate to metropolitan fringe suburbs (possibly because housing is cheaper there for those with a family), but we also see people migrating to sea change/retirement fringe suburbs along the coastal strip from Brisbane and to coastal regional centres.

In South Australia the first four regions with highest 45–64s migration are all regional areas. This may indicate people moving there from Adelaide and its suburbs but this could also reflect those leaving even more remote regional areas of South Australia for regional centres to be closer to amenities such as medical facilities.

Queensland—top 10 most migrated to regions/suburbs, 45–64 age group

Suburb type descriptors: M = metropolitan, MFR = metropolitan fringe, RC = regional city, R = rural/regional. These are broad descriptions of the suburb’s characteristics. Additional data for selected states are further below.

45–64s moving out of metro areas

It is interesting to note the suburbs that have experienced the most 45–64s year-olds leaving. In Sydney, Melbourne Adelaide and Perth these have tended to be the established metropolitan suburbs.

New South Wales—most migrated out of regions/suburbs, 45–64 age group

Suburb type descriptors: M = metropolitan, MFR = metropolitan fringe, RC = regional city, R = rural/regional. These are broad descriptions of the suburb’s characteristics. Additional data for selected states are further below.

In Queensland there are some differences, with the regional centres of Mackay, Gladstone and Townsville showing large numbers of 45–64s moving away. This may be a reflection of the dominant industries in those towns (coal mining—Mackay, aluminium industry—Gladstone and defence—Townsville) being ones that may rely on younger, rather than older, workers. The winding down of the mining boom has also reduced employment prospects for workers in Queensland regional mining centres.

Queensland—most migrated out of suburbs, 45–64 age group

Suburb type descriptors: M = metropolitan, MFR = metropolitan fringe, RC = regional city, R = rural/regional. These are broad descriptions of the suburb’s characteristics. Additional data for selected states are further below.

65+ age group migration: roaming into retirement

The 65+ age group have moved to similar locales as the 45–64 group, and probably for the same reasons of lifestyle (i.e. sea/tree change) and housing affordability (i.e. cheaper housing in rural/regional areas). As they approach and enter retirement, this group will, in general, be reliant on lower incomes sources from savings and the age pension.

New South Wales—top 10 most migrated to regions/suburbs, 45–64 age group

Suburb type descriptors: M = metropolitan, MFR = metropolitan fringe, RC = regional city, R = rural/regional. These are broad descriptions of the suburb’s characteristics. Additional tables for selected states are further below.

65s and older moving closer to amenities

It is interesting to note the high number of metropolitan areas in Adelaide and Perth that recorded relatively large increases in 65+ aged people moving in. This may reflect the situation whereby people who spent their working lives in remote and regional areas (areas which comprise a large proportion of the land area of these two states) retire to live closer to amenities such as medical facilities.

South Australia—top 10 most migrated to regions/suburbs, 65+ age group

Suburb type descriptors: M = metropolitan, MFR = metropolitan fringe, RC = regional city, R = rural/regional. These are broad descriptions of the suburb’s characteristics. Additional data for selected states are further below.