Continuing demand for workers in regional Australia could lead to a further surge in property markets, according to a new report.

The latest Regional Movers Index shows quarterly migration flows to regional areas have averaged about 15% higher in the 12 months to September 2022, compared with the two years before the pandemic.

The report says the top regional areas people are moving to for job opportunities are the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Geelong/Surf Coast, Illawarra and Newcastle.

The Commonwealth Bank’s Paul Fowler says jobs advertised in those areas have grown between 30% and 50% in the past 12 months.

“For those LGAs experiencing the largest growth rate from capital to regional migration, job vacancies increased from 20% to 30%,” he says.

Regional Australia Institute chief executive Liz Ritchie says the report shows “people are still voting with their feet.”

“We need to ensure that regional Australia can accommodate this continuing trend — specifically around housing and essential services,” she says.