Attraction and Retention of Regional Migration in Australia: A Scoping Review

Although some policy provisions and/or strategies to address labour shortages in regional Australia have been part of the Australian Government’s efforts in the last decade or so, regional labour shortages remain an issue. It is, therefore, important for this scoping review to identify the primary contributing factors to the attraction and retention of migrants in regional Australia. The data presented in this scoping review draw on 11 empirical studies in regional Australia, four of which employed a qualitative methodology, four used a quantitative methodology, and three studies used a mixed-methods approach.

The attraction factors, derived from the examined studies and reported in this paper, are at the intersection of employment and regional migration policies, low cost of living and/or affordable housing, being near family and friends, and both human and non-human relation features of regional areas. The retention factors highlighted by the examined studies are a positive experience at the workplace and/or employment satisfaction, participation in socio-cultural or religious activities, house ownership, and regionally focused education programs. Further, the reviewed papers pointed to the importance of the competing needs and aspirations of migrants’ family members in retaining migrants in regional Australia.

The identified attraction and retention factors, as well as a consideration for the competing needs and aspirations of migrants’ family members, are essential for regional migration policy. These two policy dimensions require a multipronged approach strategy in which state and non-state actors can play their part at all levels.