Regional Australia is emerging as a powerful demand driver for housing finance, with new research pointing to sustained population and jobs growth outside the capitals.
New research from NGM Group, based on a national YouGov survey, shows Australians increasingly view regional centres as places to build long-term careers as well as homes.
Nearly three in four respondents believe regional areas are no longer defined by traditional industries, and a large majority see innovation and emerging sectors as critical to their future.
The shift comes as Australia’s housing market “is splitting in early 2026, with cheaper homes and mid-sized capitals powering ahead while Sydney and Melbourne lose momentum”, according to separate Cotality data.
Affordability is a key catalyst, with more respondents pointing to lower housing costs as a major reason for moving beyond the capitals.
The growing acceptance of remote and hybrid work is also expanding where borrowers can realistically live while keeping metropolitan or specialist roles. ABS data show roughly four in 10 Australians now work from home at least once a week, underlining how entrenched flexible work has become.
NGM Group’s chief customer and digital innovation officer, James Cudmore (pictured), said the data reflects a decisive change in attitudes.
“We’re seeing a new kind of momentum in regional Australia, one driven by ideas, investment, and skilled people making deliberate choices about where they want to live and work,” Cudmore said.
“In centres like Newcastle and Wollongong, there’s strong ambition matched by capability. These communities aren’t waiting to catch up but rather charting their own course.”
Cotality notes that “there is a lot of competition for lower-priced properties”, as first-home buyers and investors focus on more affordable markets where listings are relatively scarce.
The NGM survey highlights rising confidence in regional job markets, from healthcare and tech to education, construction, and small business.
“These centres are growing in depth and diversity,” Cudmore said, with more skilled professionals moving in and many reporting improved quality of life.
As more households consider regional moves to improve affordability and lifestyle, brokers will play a central role in comparing lending options, assessing borrowing capacity across markets and structuring deals that support long-term regional plans for both homebuyers and investors.
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