Overview
The report marks the first annual review of progress toward the RAI’s Regionalisation Ambition 2032, a national framework designed to “rebalance the nation” by strengthening regional Australia. The Ambition is built around five pillars—Jobs & Skills, Liveability, Population, Productivity & Innovation, and Sustainability & Resilience—each with specific targets to be achieved by 2032. In its first year, the report shows positive movement in areas such as education attainment, digital inclusion, childcare access, and migration to regional areas. However, challenges persist in housing availability, recruitment difficulty, and access to health services.
The report highlights that regional job vacancies remain high, with 69% of employers reporting recruitment difficulties. School attainment and post-school qualification rates have improved slightly, but still lag behind metropolitan areas. Regional wellbeing scores have increased, and digital inclusion is improving, though gaps remain for very remote and Indigenous communities. Population growth in regional areas continues, with capital-to-regional migration reaching its third-highest level in five years.
The RAI launched the National Alliance for Regionalisation, uniting 34 peak bodies to drive collective action. Numerous local initiatives and pledges, from housing developments to youth employment programs, are showcased as examples of grassroots momentum. The report also outlines policy progress, including federal investments in skills, housing, connectivity, and renewable energy. It calls for continued collaboration across government, industry, and communities, and proposes a National Population Plan to guide future growth.
Overall, while progress is uneven, the report reflects growing national recognition of the importance of regional Australia and a strong foundation for future action.