--- title: "Regional Migration Reaches a Record High: Australia's Top Growth Destinations" description: Capital-to-regional migration hits a record high. Australia's top growth destinations and momentum in Perth, Brisbane & Adelaide. image: https://www.nuestar.com.au/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Market%20Momentum%20Holds%20Firm.png --- [Nuestar](https://www.nuestar.com.au/) - About ▾ ABOUT - [About Nuestar](https://www.nuestar.com.au/about) - [Testimonials](https://www.nuestar.com.au/testimonials) - Process ▾ PROCESS - [The Access](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/the-access) - [How We Work](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/how-we-work) - [Who We Work With](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/who-we-work-with) - Insights ▾ INSIGHTS - [Australian Property Market](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/australian-property-market) - [Investing as an Expat](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/investing-as-an-expat) - [Building a Property Portfolio](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/building-a-property-portfolio) - Resources ▾ RESOURCES - [Blog](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog) - [Research Library](https://www.nuestar.com.au/resources/gated) - [SMSF Videos](https://www.nuestar.com.au/resources/smsf-videos) - [Spotify Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/) - [Apple Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/) [Log In](https://propertydirector.com.au) [Book a Discovery Session](https://www.nuestar.com.au/contact) About - [About Nuestar](https://www.nuestar.com.au/about) - [Testimonials](https://www.nuestar.com.au/testimonials) Process - [The Access](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/the-access) - [How We Work](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/how-we-work) - [Who We Work With](https://www.nuestar.com.au/process/who-we-work-with) Insights - [Australian Property Market](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/australian-property-market) - [Investing as an Expat](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/investing-as-an-expat) - [Building a Property Portfolio](https://www.nuestar.com.au/insights/building-a-property-portfolio) Resources - [Blog](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog) - [Research Library](https://www.nuestar.com.au/resources/gated) - [SMSF Videos](https://www.nuestar.com.au/resources/smsf-videos) - [Spotify Podcast](https://open.spotify.com/) - [Apple Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/) [Log In](https://propertydirector.com.au) [Book a Discovery Session](https://www.nuestar.com.au/contact) ![](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Market%20Momentum%20Holds%20Firm.png) # Regional Migration Reaches a Record High: Australia's Top Growth Destinations October 15, 2026 4 min read ## Regional Migration Hits New High ![Regional Migration Hits New High](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Regional%20Migration%20Hits%20New%20High.png?width=656&height=431&name=Regional%20Migration%20Hits%20New%20High.png)   More Australians are leaving capital cities for regional areas, with new Regional Movers Index data showing almost four people moving to the regions for every three moving the other way. Capital-to-regional moves made up 11.9% of all internal migration in the March quarter, the highest level recorded by the index. The top destinations for internal migration were the Sunshine Coast, Greater Geelong, Fraser Coast, Moorabool and Lake Macquarie. Toowoomba recorded the strongest annual growth in net capital-to-regional migration, rising 236.4%, followed by Broome, Townsville, Clarence Valley and Indigo. Regional Australia Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie said the data highlights where growth pressure is building, helping governments, investors and communities plan for housing, infrastructure and services. Commonwealth Bank’s Kylie Allen said the trend shows people are making long-term decisions to build their lives in regional communities. ## New Build Debate Grows ![New Build Debate Grows](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/New%20Build%20Debate%20Grows.png?width=656&height=435&name=New%20Build%20Debate%20Grows.png)   Australia’s housing industry is renewing calls for a broader definition of “new builds” under proposed tax changes, arguing it should include granny flats, knockdown rebuilds, dual occupancies and major renovations. The push follows Treasurer Jim Chalmers’ decision to extend consultation on key parts of the legislation, including how new housing investment exemptions will be defined. Master Builders Australia said the changes still do not go far enough to address the national housing shortage, warning the reforms could reduce new supply at a time when more homes are urgently needed. The Housing Industry Association welcomed the opportunity for consultation and said broader definitions could help unlock more housing options. The Property Council of Australia also raised concerns about investment confidence, pointing to high construction, labour and capital costs. The debate highlights the importance of tax settings that encourage, rather than restrict, housing supply. ## Market Momentum Holds Firm ![Market Momentum Holds Firm](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Market%20Momentum%20Holds%20Firm.png?width=656&height=368&name=Market%20Momentum%20Holds%20Firm.png)   Australia’s property market is showing a more balanced picture, with conditions varying across the country as buyers and sellers adjust to higher interest rates and post-budget uncertainty. While national price growth paused in May, several markets remain resilient after strong recent gains. Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide continue to sit well above year-ago levels, with Perth values still more than 20% higher annually, Brisbane up 16.4% and Adelaide up 13.4%. The report shows buyers have more choice in Sydney and Melbourne, where total listings are above typical levels, while stock remains tight in Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide. Despite softer auction clearance rates, homes are still selling quickly, with the typical property in Sydney and Melbourne selling in around 30 days. In tighter markets, some suburbs are recording sales within two weeks, highlighting ongoing buyer demand nationally.  ## Tax Carve-Outs Confirmed ![Tax Carve-Outs Confirmed](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Tax%20Carve-Outs%20Confirmed.png?width=656&height=391&name=Tax%20Carve-Outs%20Confirmed.png)   The federal government has announced several exemptions to its proposed tax changes following industry and public backlash. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed that genuine testamentary discretionary trusts, commonly used for inheritance and estate planning, will be exempt from the proposed 30% minimum tax. The government has also expanded access to small business capital gains tax concessions, lifting the turnover threshold from $2 million to $10 million. It says this will allow 98% of Australian businesses to qualify for the concession. A new tax concession for innovative start-ups is also being developed, with consultation to follow. While the broader changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax remain central to the government’s housing policy, the latest exemptions show some willingness to adjust the legislation before it is finalised. ## SMSF Window Narrows ![SMSF Window Narrows](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hs-fs/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/SMSF%20Window%20Narrows.png?width=656&height=430&name=SMSF%20Window%20Narrows.png)   Australians considering buying residential property through a self-managed super fund may have a limited window to act before proposed borrowing restrictions are introduced. Under the reforms agreed between Labor and the Greens, future limited recourse borrowing arrangements for residential property inside SMSFs would be banned. These arrangements are currently the main way SMSFs can borrow to purchase property. Industry experts warn the change could reduce options for everyday Australians looking to build retirement wealth and diversify beyond shares and managed funds. While SMSFs may still be able to invest in property through outright purchases, ungeared trusts or commercial property strategies, many funds may not have enough capital to buy residential property without borrowing. The proposal has raised concerns that investors seeking SMSF property exposure may need to review their options before the rules are finalised. Share [Previous story ← 28 Million and Counting: Population Growth Fuels a Renovation Boom](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/australia-reaches-28-million-population-growth-and-the-renovation-boom) ## You May Also Like These Related Stories [![](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Population%20Hits%2028%20Million.png)](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/australia-reaches-28-million-population-growth-and-the-renovation-boom) ### [28 Million and Counting: Population Growth Fuels a Renovation Boom](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/australia-reaches-28-million-population-growth-and-the-renovation-boom) October 15, 2026 3 min read [![](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/More%20Choice%20for%20Buyers.png)](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/location-still-wins-post-budget-buying-window) ### [Location Still Wins: The Post-Budget Buying Window Opens](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/location-still-wins-post-budget-buying-window) October 15, 2026 7 min read [![](https://www.nuestar.com.au/hubfs/The%20Week%20in%20Real%20Estate/Auction%20Market%20Cools.png)](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/commercial-property-yield-investors) ### [Commercial Property Emerges as a Winner for Yield-Focused Investors](https://www.nuestar.com.au/blog/commercial-property-yield-investors) October 15, 2026 4 min read ## Ready to build a *long-term* property portfolio? 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