Where Australians are moving to — and why they're not coming back

Australians are leaving the city for the country, and they’re not coming back, new data reveals.

Once considered a COVID lockdown-induced exodus that would inevitably bounce back, research from the Regional Movers Index (RMI) showed 27 percent more people moved from Australian cities to the regions than in the other direction.

The RMI is a partnership between the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and the Regional Australia Institute, an independent think tank founded in 2011 and focused on building strong regional economies.

Regional Australia Institute CEO, Liz Ritchie said the data showed the shift in domestic migration patterns to regional areas was not a passing fad.

“This analysis is clearly showing the population movement we’re seeing is a sustained new trend, that is higher than pre-Covid migration patterns,” Ms Ritchie said. “The regional Australia we have now, is quite different to the regional Australia of five years ago,” Ms Ritchie said.

She said regional areas have a key role to play as Australia seeks to move towards a more sustainable future.

“The emergence of this new era signifies how important the regions are to the future of our nation. The regions will be at the heart of Australia’s net zero transition, and it is vital the infrastructure and services our growing regions require are met to ensure long-term prosperity and sustainability of our country.”

Among migration hotspots, the NSW coast rated highly, with Lake Macquarie on the mid north coast attracting an almost 5 percent share of net internal migration. The NSW far south coast also saw a population boost, specifically the Local Government Areas of Bega Valley and Eurobodalla.

CBA’s Executive General Manager Regional and Agribusiness Paul Fowler said the migration reflected a greater focus on the lifestyle benefits of living outside the big cities.

“The coastal appeal of regional hubs like Lake Macquarie, Bega Valley and Eurobodalla offer an attractive lifestyle with convenient access to quality healthcare and education services, as well as employment opportunities, further bolstered by major industry investments like the Snowy Hydro 2.0 project in Southern NSW,” Mr Fowler said.

About 75 percent of those who had left the cities in the past three months moved to regional NSW and Victoria, indicating that Sydney and Melbourne were the capitals shedding the most residents.

Ms Ritchie said the onus was now on governments to provide the appropriate infrastructure to regional centres to ensure they were able to support the influx.

“With so many people settling in our southern states, it’s critical governments, industry, business and community work together on ensuring regional cities and towns are supported during this phase of expansion,” she said. “The regions provide so much: affordability, a sense of community, fulfilling career options and green space. Let’s ensure this new era of regionality is met with vision and leadership to drive a more decentralised Australia.”

Italian fine wines are gaining momentum among Australian collectors and drinkers, with new data from showing a surge in interest driven by value, versatility and a new generation of producers.

Long dominated by France, the premium wine conversation is beginning to shift, with Italy increasingly positioned as a compelling alternative for both drinking and collecting.

According to Langtons, the category is benefiting from a combination of factors, including its breadth of styles, strong food affinity and more accessible price points compared to traditional European benchmarks.

“Italy has always offered fine wine fans an incredible range of wines with finesse, nuance, expression of terroir, ageability, rarity, and heritage,” said Langtons General Manager Tamara Grischy.

“There’s no doubt the Italian wine category is gaining momentum in 2026… While the French have long dominated the fine wine space in Australia, we’re seeing Italy become a strong contender as the go-to for both drinking and collecting.”

The shift is being reinforced by changing consumer preferences, with Langtons reporting increased demand for indigenous Italian varieties and lighter, food-first styles such as Nerello Mascalese from Etna and modern Chianti Classico.

This aligns with the broader rise of Mediterranean-style dining in Australia, where wines are expected to complement a wider range of dishes rather than dominate them.

Langtons buyer Zach Nelson said the category’s versatility is central to its appeal.

“Italian wines often have a distinct, savoury edge making them an ideal pairing for a variety of cuisines,” he said.

The move towards Italian wines also comes as prices for traditional French regions continue to climb, particularly in Burgundy, prompting collectors to look elsewhere for value without compromising on quality.

Italy’s key regions, including Piedmont and Etna, are increasingly seen as offering that balance, with premium wines available at comparatively accessible price points.

Nelson said value is now a defining factor for buyers in 2026.

“Value is the key driver for Australian fine wine consumers… Italian wines are offering exactly that at an impressive array of price points to suit any budget,” he said.

The category is also proving attractive for newer collectors, offering what Langtons describes as “accessible prestige” and a more open entry point compared to the exclusivity often associated with Bordeaux.

Wines such as Brunello di Montalcino and Nebbiolo-based expressions are increasingly being positioned as entry points into cellar-worthy collections, combining ageability with relative affordability.

At the same time, a new generation of Italian producers is reshaping the category, moving away from heavier, oak-driven styles towards wines that emphasise site expression and vibrancy.

“There’s definitely a ‘new guard’ of Italian winemaking… stripping away the makeup… to let the raw, vibrating energy of the site speak,” Nelson said.

Langtons is also expanding its offering in the category, including exclusive access to wines from family-owned producer Boroli, alongside a broader selection spanning Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily and Tuscany.

The company will showcase the category further at its upcoming Italian Collection Masterclass and Tasting in Sydney, featuring more than 50 wines from 23 producers across four key regions.

For collectors and drinkers alike, the message is clear: Italy may have been overlooked, but it is no longer under the radar.

Where Australians are moving to — and why they’re not coming back

As job opportunities grow in regional areas, more Australians are leaving our cities behind in favour of lifestyle benefits

Italian wines are emerging as a serious contender for Australian collectors, offering depth, rarity and value as French benchmarks continue to climb.