Securing more pay could be as simple as making a tree change, with more than 80 professions attracting higher salaries in country areas than in Australia’s major cities.
Paramedics, childcare workers, electricians, welders, chief executive officers, chefs, and checkout operators are among the long list of occupations that attract a salary premium in rural and regional areas, according to the Regional Australia Institute.
After considering factors such as a worker’s age, gender, education, occupation, and industry, the RAI found those living and working in remote parts of Australia earn 12.8% more than their city counterparts, increasing to 13.6% more for those in very remote areas.
In outer regional Australia, salaries are on par with those offered in the major cities, although in inner regional areas, they were 2.4% lower.
RAI chief executive officer Liz Ritchie said the research busted a long-held myth that workers must be based in a major city to earn a high income.
"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," she said. "We need more people to know about the career opportunities in regional Australia.
"There are plenty of good jobs (in the country) 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."
Regional Trades, Medical Roles in Demand: Recruiter
Regional recruitment specialist Rhyley Hunter said the employment opportunities available outside of capital cities would surprise many Australians.
"Accountants, engineers, all the trades, general managers, and all the (roles in the) renewable energy sector are just going crazy (experiencing significant worker shortages)," said Mr. Hunter, chief executive officer at Huntsman Recruiting, which has offices at Wagga Wagga and Albury, in NSW, and on the Gold Coast.
"The medical sector is screaming out for people – specialists, in particular – and doctors and nurses are in high demand.
"Biting the bullet and making the move is the hardest part (when it comes to working regionally).
"Once the decision has been made, it makes it easier for that person to market themselves (to employers) in the region or show a recruiter … that they’re not just tyre-kicking and wasting everyone’s time."
To encourage workers to move to regional areas, employers often incentivized country roles with higher pay or improved conditions, such as four-day work weeks, Mr. Hunter said.
Where salaries were lower, he said more affordable homes and reduced living costs often meant regional workers were still at a financial advantage.
‘It’s Great Here’: Tree Change Worth It for Young Family
Teacher Ella Kenny and chef Rob Taylor moved from Sydney to Armidale almost two years ago, seeking a calmer life in which to raise their daughter, Frankie.
Ms. Kenny secured a position as head of sport at New England Girls School and, after a short time, Mr. Taylor, who had two decades of experience in high-end restaurants, was offered a head chef role at The Bolt Inn Uralla, which was a finalist in this year’s Australian Hotel Association NSW excellence awards.
"To be honest, there haven’t been any negatives (associated with moving out of the city)," Mr. Taylor said. "It’s great here (at The Bolt Inn). We make everything from scratch and people notice the difference.
"The pub’s very successful and there’s quite a few people out here that are willing to spend money (eating out) five times a week so we’re very busy."
Ms. Kenny said her career had thrived since making the move.
"I understand that regional areas can have fewer opportunities in some industries but, as I work in education and Rob’s a chef, we knew there would always be demand for those professions wherever we went," she said. "I’ve been able to bring my metropolitan school experience here and adapt programs to ensure regional students have access to similar opportunities.
"My income hasn’t been affected and the overall lifestyle benefits far outweigh any small changes."
‘So Many Opportunities’: Remote Events Manager
For some, remote work opportunities have provided avenues for career progression while living in regional Australia.
Jane McAlpine was a marketing guru working in Sydney and Brisbane before she packed her bags to join her then partner and now-husband on his farm at Toowoomba.
The mum-of-two, who has worked with leading global brands, including Ralph Lauren, Tommy Hilfiger, and Pandora, now works remotely as marketing and events manager for Tasmanian-based charity and podcast Motherland, and said she could not believe how lucky she was.
"Before moving, I wasn’t really sure how I was going to make work but I’m totally loving it," Ms. McAlpine said.
"Motherland has been the most cup-filling work I have done to date.
"It (living regionally) has opened me up to a new industry and an opportunity that I potentially wouldn’t have had if I had stayed in the city.
"There’s just so many opportunities regionally.
"There are so many big businesses here."
Occupations with median incomes higher in regional and remote areas than in major cities:
- Managers: Chief executives and managing directors and managers in the farming, hospitality, and retail sectors
- Professionals: Engineers, general practitioners, dental practitioners, and counsellors
- Technicians and trades workers: Science technicians, mechanics, welders, metal fitters and machinists, chefs, and bakers
- Community and personal service workers: Ambulance officers and paramedics, childcare, aged care and disability workers, and hospitality workers
- Sales workers: Retail supervisors, checkout operators, and office cashiers
- Machinery operators and drivers: Truck drivers and mining, agriculture, and forestry plant operators
- Labourers: Construction, mining, agriculture, factory, and hospitality labourers
For other key worker occupations experiencing national skills shortages, higher incomes were available for:
- Early childhood, primary, and vocational education teachers in outer regional, remote, and very remote areas
- Registered nurses in remote and very remote areas
Source: Regional Australia Institute.
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