State of Australia’s Regions 2024 report
The Australian Government released the State of Australia’s Regions 2024 report on 6 February 2024 (cover Figure 3).
In line with the government’s Regional Investment Framework, this report supports the government’s commitment to targeted, effective and efficient regional investment. This is investment that works better for people and regions, informed by local voices and priorities.
The report demonstrates the important need for continued focus on ensuring regional people, communities and industries are vibrant, strong and sustainable – now and over the coming decades.
Figure 3: State of Australia’s Regions 2024 report cover
Source: Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts
State of Australia’s Regions 2024 recognises the significant contribution regional Australia makes to the nation. It highlights some of the pressures and opportunities arising in the regions as the world continues to change.
The report brings together the latest data and local insights on what matters to regions across the 4 focus areas of the Regional Investment Framework – people, places, services, industries and local economies.
Governments, industries and communities must have the information required to navigate change and support evidence-based planning, prioritisation and investments.
The report highlights key government initiatives supporting regional Australia to respond to these issues, across portfolios that support regional development.
Consistent with the Regional Investment Framework, the report recognises that many regional opportunities and challenges require collaborative work between communities, businesses and levels of government, and place-based approaches that respond to experiences at local level.
State of Australia’s Regions 2024 draws on ministerial and Australian Public Service engagement with regional stakeholders, including Regional Development Australia committees, the Australian Council of Local Government, and ministerial roundtables.
Report findings add to the regional evidence base, complementing other sources like the Australian Bureau of Statistics, Regional Data Hub and Regional Australia Institute.
The Australian Government committed to delivering a regular State of Australia’s Regions report when launching the Regional Investment Framework in the 2023–24 Budget.
Find out more
Australian Government (2024) State of Australia’s Regions 2024, Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website, accessed 17 July 2024.
Australian Government (2023) Regional Investment Framework, Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website, accessed 17 July 2024.