‘Money in your pocket’: How Aussies can get massive pay bump

A common job myth could be costing Aussies up to 13 per cent a year in annual pay, new research shows.

A common job myth is setting Aussies back thousands of dollars each year, according to the latest job figures.

New Regional Australia Institution (RAI) data dispels the myth Aussies living in capital cities are paid more.

According to the RAI regional jobs guide, there are 85 roles where workers could get a pay bump if they were willing to relocate due to massive skill shortages.

Aussie workers could see a massive pay bump if they were willing to move regionally. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

RAI chief executive Liz Ritchie said this new analysis shined a light on opportunities not just for the regions but the entire national workforce.

“Basically, it busts the myth you have to live in the big smoke to earn a high income and highlights opportunities not just for regional Australia but the national workforce,” Ms Ritchie said.

Ms Ritchie said the further Aussies were willing to travel out of the city, the greater the pay bump could be.

After accounting for factors such as age, gender, education, industry and occupations, Aussies living in very remote areas could get a 13.6 per cent bump in pay, while those living in a remote area are likely to see a 12.8 per cent increase in their income.

There are thousands of jobs available in the occupation groups that attract income premiums, with more than 13,000 vacancies for professionals across all four regional remoteness categories, 1300 vacancies for machinery operators and drivers in very remote Australia and more than 1200 vacancies for technicians and trades workers in remote Australia.

“The truth is, there are high regional incomes available in many occupations for those who look beyond metropolitan boundaries – which means more money in the pockets of hardworking Australians,” Ms Ritchie said.

Australians willing to relocate to ‘very remote areas’ are likely to get the biggest pay jump. Picture: NewsWire / John Appleyard

Ms Ritchie said those occupations included chief executives, GPs, vocational education teachers, child carers and chefs.

“We need more people to know about the career opportunities in regional Australia. There are

plenty of good jobs, where you can earn a very good income,” she said.

“Combine that with the regions’ liveability factors, like less traffic, more affordable housing and access to nature and you can understand why so many people have already made the move.”

Ms Ritchie said the shortages were likely to continue, with Aussies being able to cash in if they were willing to move regionally

“More than 67,000 job vacancies in regional Australia were advertised online in January – a level 62.7 per cent higher than the five-year pre-Covid average,” she said.

“We need more people to know about the career opportunities in regional Australia. There are plenty of good jobs, where you can earn a very good income. Combine that with the regions’ liveability factors, like less traffic, more affordable housing and access to nature, and you can understand why so many people have already made the move.”

Originally published as ‘Money in your pocket’: How Aussies can get massive pay bump