Queensland leads the nation in interstate migration, says REIQ
By
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella
Queensland has emerged as the leading destination for interstate migration in Australia, outpacing other states in attracting new residents. Despite New South Wales losing its State of Origin shield to the south, it seems the Sunshine State continues to win the “State of Relocation” by drawing more Australians from other states than any other jurisdiction.
Recent interstate migration data analysed by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) reveals that New South Wales remains the largest contributor to Queensland’s population influx. According to the data, New South Wales accounted for approximately 60.3% of Queensland’s net migration gain, equating to around 13,000 people from a total of 21,600 new residents in the 2024-25 period.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella highlighted the trend as a significant endorsement of Queensland’s appeal. “Queensland’s overall population growth of 1.6% has easily outpaced New South Wales’ 1.2%, and in particular, the Sunshine State has proven to be an incredibly strong magnet for interstate migrants,” Ms Mercorella said.
The data underscores Queensland’s allure, with the state gaining 16,528 people from interstate migration in 2025, while New South Wales experienced a net loss of 21,465 people. Western Australia was the only other state to report a positive net interstate migration, with 10,410 new residents, further cementing Queensland’s top position.
Ms Mercorella noted the positive outlook for Brisbane’s property market, suggesting it might defy the predicted national downturn in property values. “There is an expectation that Brisbane will buck the predicted national downturn in property values, because of Queensland’s unique set of circumstances including a significant supply shortfall, sustained demand pressures, and strong long-term growth drivers,” she explained.
The upcoming Olympics is also seen as a catalyst for Queensland’s continued growth and appeal. “It’s hard to see how that wouldn’t be the case, with all that’s on the horizon for the city and the state – namely, just a little thing called the Olympics,” Ms Mercorella added. “Our lifestyle is hard to beat, and when you look at the migration figures, it’s clear which way the cockroaches are scurrying.”
Housing affordability remains a significant factor influencing the migration trend. New South Wales holds the dubious distinction of having the worst housing affordability rates in Australia for 2024-25, according to PropTrack’s Housing Affordability Index. This index considers incomes, mortgage rates, and home prices.
In contrast, Cotality’s June quarter Home Value Index indicates that Brisbane’s median dwelling value stands at $1,118,306, still lower than Sydney’s $1,265,608, although the gap is narrowing. Meanwhile, regional Queensland has surpassed regional New South Wales in terms of median dwelling values, with figures showing $855,835 compared to $841,198, respectively.
Queensland’s regional areas are also proving to be attractive destinations, as highlighted by the latest Regional Movers Index. The Sunshine Coast topped the list as the nation’s leading regional migration hotspot, accounting for 8.8% of Australia’s total net internal migration over the 12 months to March 2026. The Fraser Coast ranked third nationally with 3.9%, while Toowoomba and Townsville emerged as fast-growing destinations for capital city movers, recording substantial growth in net capital-to-regional migration of 236.4% and 159.7%, respectively.
Economically, Queensland continues to outpace New South Wales. Since 1989-90, Queensland’s economy has grown at an average annual rate of 3.6%, compared to New South Wales’ 2.3%, showcasing the state’s robust economic performance over the long term.
However, Ms Mercorella cautioned that Queensland’s success comes with the responsibility to ensure that housing supply and infrastructure keep pace with the growing demand. “Queensland’s growth story should be celebrated, but it also reinforces the need to tackle our housing shortage with urgency,” she said. “If we want to keep attracting workers, families, and investors, we need to make sure we’re building the homes, communities, and infrastructure that support a growing population.”