Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) CEO, Antonia Mercorella, says the data shows NSW is experiencing the largest net loss of residents in the country — and many of them are heading for the sunshine.
“Queensland’s liveability, relative housing affordability, and economic momentum are hard to beat and the migration figures reflect that,” she says.
The REIQ says the latest population data from ABS (for the year up to December 2024) shows Queensland gained 25,940 interstate migrants (the largest gain) while NSW lost 28,118 people (the largest loss).
NSW accounted for 60.2% of Queensland’s net interstate migration gain of 29,900 in 2023–24 as 18,000 residents crossed the border, Qld statistical data shows.
Mercorella says these longer-term migration trends accelerated post-pandemic, driven by lifestyle preferences, affordability pressures and decentralised population centres.
REGIONAL APPEAL
“The appeal of Queensland is not just limited to our capital city with more and more people looking to experience life beyond the big smoke.
“Queensland’s regional markets are firing, with property snapped up in all corners – from Brisbane to Bundaberg, Cairns to Toowoomba,” she says.
“Recent data shows that more interstate movers are settling outside of Brisbane than within it, with the bulk destined for regional Queensland,” Mercorella says.
“In the final quarter of 2024 alone, regional Queensland welcomed 4317 new residents from interstate, the strongest result in a year, while Brisbane recorded 3285.”
Queensland and Western Australia are the only states to show a growth in net interstate migration, according to the ABS data.
But Mercorella warns that it is critical that housing supply and infrastructure keeps pace with a growing population.
“We should be flinging open our doors to welcome the talent and energy that migration brings but to do that responsibly, we need to plan better and build faster,” she says.
“Whether people are buying or renting, they’re adding to the demand queue and that queue is already stretched. We risk turning a win into a loss if we don’t address our housing shortfall with urgency.”
