The latest RAI Regional Movers Index has confirmed what many in the Murray region already know: Albury is booming, and Australians are increasingly choosing the regions over the capitals.
Despite a national slowdown in overall mobility, more Australians are continuing to move from cities to the regions than the reverse, with 11.2% of internal migration flows heading to regional areas in the June 2025 quarter — compared to just 8.9% moving back to the capitals.
This marks a continuation of the post-pandemic population shift that’s been reshaping Australia’s demographic map. In fact, the data shows that regional Australia is still experiencing a net migration gain from the capitals, with 26% more people moving to the regions than leaving them.
And at the centre of this shift? Albury — now officially recognised as one of Australia’s top five Local Government Areas (LGAs) for net migration growth in the year to June 2025.
Albury: Leading the Nation in City-to-Region Growth
According to the report, Albury recorded the greatest growth in net migration from capital cities of any regional centre in the country. The increase was staggering — a 16-fold rise in the number of city movers choosing Albury, compared with the previous year.
In total, migration to Albury from the capitals grew by 188%, while regional-to-regional movement into the city also rose by 17%. This combination reinforces Albury’s appeal not just to those looking to leave the city, but also to others already living in regional areas and seeking new opportunities.
These numbers place Albury in a league of its own — not just as a place people visit, but as a place they choose to stay.
A Destination with Momentum
Chair of Regional Development Australia Murray, Kylie King, says the data affirms what locals have long understood.
“Albury is more than a regional centre — it’s a thriving, connected, and future-focused city that offers the lifestyle, infrastructure and opportunity that people are seeking,” she said.
“Positioned perfectly between Melbourne and Sydney, Albury provides access to capital cities while offering all the benefits of regional living — space, affordability, and community.”
This unique positioning, coupled with post-pandemic lifestyle shifts, has helped drive Albury’s ongoing transformation. While once seen primarily as a stopover or tourism hub, Kylie says the city is increasingly recognised as a destination for building a life.
“Albury’s recognition as Wotif’s ‘Town of the Year’ after COVID showed that Australians were rethinking what makes a place ‘liveable’,” she added. “That recognition has now translated into real population movement.”
NSW Dominates Regional Migration — with Albury at the Forefront
The broader data also highlights regional NSW as the leading destination for city movers, accounting for 34% of all net migration from capitals — more than any other state.
Albury’s standout performance contributes directly to that trend, reinforcing the importance of regional hubs in absorbing and supporting Australia’s shifting population base.
Planning for the Future
While the growth brings significant opportunity, it also highlights the need for ongoing investment in infrastructure, housing, and essential services.
“At RDA Murray, we’re focused on making sure our region is ready — not just to welcome new residents, but to support them long-term,” Kylie said. “This data reinforces the need for coordinated planning and strategic investment across local, state and federal levels.”
The full Regional Movers Index is available via the Regional Australia Institute website.
