As Australia’s major cities face population pressures, regional towns are crying out for more migrants to fill growing job shortages.

Mike speaks with Peter Carter, Mayor of Port Hedland and Chair of Regional Capitals Australia, who warns that without targeted immigration, many small towns could fade away.

Carter says cities like his need much larger populations to survive, but Aussies aren’t relocating despite incentives. “You can offer money or even free cars, but people in cities won’t move to the regions—they prefer the urban lifestyle,” he explains.

Instead, Carter argues, migrants are willing to live and work in regional Australia, filling roles from fruit pickers and tradies to baristas and office workers.

In February, there were 65,000 job vacancies in regional Australia, mostly skilled, with rising demand for unskilled and seasonal work as well.

Download this podcast here