Aussie cities could see mass tradie exodus, alarming survey results

Tradies are dissatisfied with their jobs and looking toward greener pastures, according to new data that warns of a possible mass exodus.

Australia could be on the brink of another mass migration, with tradies in metropolitan areas looking toward greener pastures to escape the pressures of city living.

A new study from the Regional Australia Institute has revealed that the vast majority of tradies (86 per cent) are not only unsatisfied by their jobs, but more than nine in 10 say they could be persuaded to move to the regions for work.

Tradies are feeling increasingly unsatisfied with working in the cities, and could soon be moving the regions in droves. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The think tank commissioned a survey of 500 tradespeople living in capital cities and found 92 per cent were open to taking a job in regional Australia.

In a worrying sign of the times, about three in five tradies said the pressure and expense of living in the city were big factors in their desire to move to the regions.

Soaring work expenses, including tolls and petrol were a problem for 45 per cent of workers surveyed, while 43 per cent were dissatisfied by their salaries lagging behind the ever-rising cost of living in the city.

It is no surprise, then, that of the tradies who were open to a tree change, almost two-thirds (63 per cent) said a salary increase would compel them to move, and 56 per cent were sold on the cheaper cost of living in regional areas.

Tradies said the pressure and expense of living in the city were big factors in their job dissatisfaction. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Civil engineer Angela Durston-Ryan tells news.com.au she has found that and so much more in her new home of Shepparton, some 190km north of Melbourne.

She moved to the Goulburn Valley hub in April 2021, and has not only turned her back on city living but wants to move further out, “hopefully on some land just outside of town”.

“There are opportunities to get involved in the community and sport, and meeting new people, which I had no idea I was missing,” Ms Durston-Ryan said.

“There are more people than you think there would be who are ex-city and have moved and love it.

“But I’m not surprised at all there are more people moving regionally. I did it and love it, so I’m staying.”

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Ms Durston-Ryan moved from Melbourne to Shepparton in April 2021. Picture: Supplied

The move led to a promotion and the purchase of her first home. Picture: Supplied

She also believes there are many more “opportunities” in the regions than some may initially believe.

For Ms Durston-Ryan, moving has opened the door to a promotion and buying her own house – something she believes she could not have achieved in Melbourne.

Now, instead of paying rent, she is making mortgage repayments “close to what I was paying before in rent” in Melbourne.

The regional move has also given the civil engineer “more time” on her hands and led to a much better work-life balance – especially now that her work sites are “minutes from home” and she does not have to contend with rush hour traffic.

The civil engineer says she also has a far better work-life balance now than she did in the city. Picture: Supplied

The Regional Australia Institute’s study found 88 per cent of city-based tradies were looking for a more relaxed lifestyle and better work-life balance.

It comes as almost half (44 per cent) of all tradies reported struggles with their mental health, and a third said they were worried about job security in the city.

But there are no shortage of jobs in the regions, with 10,426 online job advertisements for skilled workers in the regions in June 2023, according to the Institute – 3270 of which were in NSW.

Regional Australia Institute CEO Liz Ritchie said the regions are “crying out” for skilled workers to help build the towns of the future.

Regional Australia Institute Liz Ritchie has urged city tradies to “think beyond city limits”. Picture: Zoe Phillips.

The pandemic saw a mass relocation and population boom in the regions, which caught many towns off-guard and lacking adequate infrastructure to cater for their new residents.

That boom has continued years after lockdowns ended, with the latest Regional Movers Index showing emigration flows are higher than they were even before the pandemic.

And with future population projections anticipating even more growth in the coming years, Ms Ritchie is imploring tradies to “think beyond city limits” for their futures, too.

“To rebalance the nation and really grow regional Australia, we need enhanced regional infrastructure. And to build that infrastructure, you need a skilled and experienced workforce,” she said.

“Regional Australia is crying out for skilled tradespeople to build the houses, hospitals and schools of tomorrow.”

Her plea comes as part of the Regional Australia Institute’s “biggest ever recruitment drive” which encourages tradies to “move to more” in a bid to ease the skills shortage and support growing towns.

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Originally published as Aussie cities could see mass tradie exodus, alarming survey results