2.7 million people moved their usual residence in NSW and Vic: ABS
Over the last three years, around 2.7 million people in New South Wales and Victoria moved usual
residence according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
In NSW, 1.6 million people moved usual residence, while in Victoria 1.1 million people moved
during the three years to October 2008.
People between 18 and 34 were the most mobile, accounting for just over half of all people who
moved usual residence.
Of the 118,000 people that moved to Sydney from interstate and overseas, over three quarters
(77%) were from overseas. In Melbourne just under two thirds (63%) moved from overseas, of the
118,900 new residents from interstate and overseas.
In NSW, common reasons for moving were living near family and/or friends (24%), better access or
prospect of work (22%) and lifestyle reasons (19%).
In Victoria, common reasons for moving were living near family and/or friends (23%), better access
or prospect of work (20%), and an attractive neighbourhood (19%).
Getting to work
For employed people who had recently moved to or within Sydney, over half (57%) chose to drive,
while 19% travelled by train and 16% travelled by bus for at least part of their trip to work.
Melbourne's employed movers also made more use of the car, with 68% driving, 17% travelling by
train and 11% by tram for at least part of their journey to work.
Changes in job locations
In the three years to October 2008, 805,300 employed people in NSW and 626,700 employed
people in Victoria changed their suburb of usual employment.
Over 85% of these people indicated job related reasons for their move. Job related reasons include
the availability of work, the type of work available and being transferred by their employer.
Further information is available in Residential and Workplace Mobility, and Implications for Travel,
NSW and Vic., October 2008 (cat. no. 3240.0) which can be downloaded free of charge from the
Media Note:
Please ensure when reporting on ABS data that you attribute the Australian Bureau of
Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.
FURTHER INFORMATION: Media requests and interviews:
Corporate Communications 1300 175 070
Statistical clarification:
NSW
Larissa Wharton
02 9268 4376
Vic.
Aidan Kent
03 9615 7607
19 May, 2009
Embargoed 11.30 am (AEST)
28/2009
NEWS 
