Housing factors in welfare migration to and from metropolitan cities in Australia

Abstract

This article ascertains dimensions of welfare migration to and from two large Australian cities (Sydney and Adelaide) and persons' motivations and perceptions of well-being after moving. Housing costs were crucial in out-movement from metropolitan areas, particularly Sydney. The desire to obtain work and to be closer to family members was important for an appreciable proportion of metropolitan-ward movers. Respondents were not turnover migrants since a strong majority had lived in their origin community for over five years. The welfare migration investigated here is an important part of wider intra-state migration.