79 per cent of millennials working or studying in science, manufacturing or trades have considered a move to the regions according to a new survey, with cost of living pressures and house prices the largest drivers.
Commissioned by food manufacturer Mars Wrigley, the survey of 1000 Australians currently working or studying in manufacturing, trade, or STEM (Science, technology engineering or mathematics) was conducted by polling firm YouGov in August.
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81 per cent of respondents lived in a metro area while 18 per cent lived regionally.
The desire for a regional move wasn't isolated to Millennial respondents, with 77 per cent of Gen X and 72 per cent of Gen Z participants also indicating they have given a move consideration.
Cost of living was cited as the greatest motivator for Gen Z and Millennials, while Gen X cited house prices as the key driver.
Eastern states had the largest proportion of respondents considering a tree change, with at least 75 per cent of respondents in Queensland, Victoria and NSW responding in the affirmative.
Mars Wrigley has manufacturing plants in towns including Asquith, NSW and Ballarat in Victoria.
General Manager Andrew Leakey said that despite growth in food manufacturing jobs, the firm had experienced difficulty recruiting in regional areas.
"Food and beverage manufacturing is the largest manufacturing industry in Australia but is proving to be one of the most difficult to recruit for. At Mars Wrigley, we're determined to collaborate with industry and governments to re-imagine ways to attract the next generation of talent to regional areas," Mr Leakey said.
"It's important that we attract and recruit the necessary skills and continue to upskill our workforce to future-proof and grow our local manufacturing capability and operations in Australia."
The two biggest barriers to a regional move identified by survey respondents were a lack of infrastructure, nominated by 43 per cent of respondents, and entertainment, 40 per cent.