In Australia, internal migration follows a ‘stepping stone’ pattern – and northern Tasmania is no exception. Overseas migration, dominated by younger people, is largely to cities and metro areas. Working people in their late 20s and 30s, many of whom have young children, tend to move to the urban fringe. Older retirees and sea changers dominate migration to rural and regional areas.
This pattern, combined with some unique characteristics of northern Tasmania, has led us to observe several other key themes:
- International migration and retention will be important for the region and has been comparatively successful with international students.
- A need to address structural ageing and its distribution, and better utilise and support older populations.
- The settlement patterns of younger people and families to the urban fringes.
- The impacts of population churn, include that people leaving northern Tasmania tend to be younger, earn more, and are healthier than the other cohorts they leave behind.
These factors are important considerations for future development and population planning for northern Tasmania.
Read our report prepared for the Northern Tasmania Development Corporation and informed by discussion at a key stakeholder workshop undertaken in Launceston in October 2024.