Cities research

The Department conducts research and analysis to investigate issues that impact Australian cities. The results presented here aim to better inform urban planning and development, infrastructure investment and broader community understanding of the issues that impact Australian cities.

Working from Home

The Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research (BCARR) has conducted a Work from Home (WfH) research project to provide evidence of how social, demographic and spatial characteristics influence WfH capability and uptake in Australian cities. The study also explores the link between WfH and relocation and investigates post-pandemic prospects for WfH in Australia. This new evidence can help improve understanding of the key drivers of WfH and the ongoing role that WfH will likely play in influencing urban and regional development outcomes in Australia.

This research uses data from an earlier study conducted by the University of South Australia between September 2020 and June 2021, that was co-funded by this Department in partnership with the iMOVE Co-operative Research Centre.

iMOVE report - Encouraging-continuation-of-work-from-home-post-pandemic - March2022

BCARR City Rings Classification

The Bureau of Communications Arts and Regional Research (BCARR) uses a City Rings Classification in a broad range of publications. This fact sheet provides a guide to the purpose and use of this statistical geography. The rings geography breaks Australia’s five largest capital cities into three concentric zones and can be used to analyse patterns in population, jobs, connectivity and access to services.  This fact sheet provides a guide to understanding and using the classification.

A concordance file to help users mathematically convert 2021 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Statistical Area 2 (SA2) data to BCARR City Rings for Australia’s five largest capital cities and a shapefile for mapping are available below:

The future of Australian cities and regions in a post-pandemic world

iMOVE report - The future of Australian cities and regions in a post-pandemic world

This research was conducted by the University of South Australia (UniSA) between March 2022 and June 2023, and was co-funded by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts in partnership with the iMOVE Co-operative Research Centre.

The study addresses the following questions:

  • What are the primary determinants of firm and residential location patterns across Australia?
  • What are the drivers of or barriers to attracting and retaining businesses and households to regional cities, and how do they differ based on characteristics of businesses, households and regions?
  • What are the possible long-term impacts of COVID-19 on firm and residential location decisions across metropolitan and regional cities?
  • How are these impacts likely to influence resulting spatial patterns of employment activity and residential settlement within and across these cities?

To answer these questions, UniSA undertook nationwide surveys of businesses, landlords and residents, along with conducting interviews and focus groups with residents across different city sizes and types, real estate and property developers, commercial landlords, state and local government officials, business owners and senior executives.

This study provides important insights for policymakers, businesses, and communities on current and possible future patterns of employment activity and residential settlement.

South East Queensland research project

The Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research (BCARR) has undertaken a South East Queensland (SEQ) research project to provide an evidence base on the spatial distribution of population growth, jobs, connectivity and liveability of SEQ. This evidence base can be used to monitor how population, jobs, connectivity and liveability change over time and respond to investment. The report aims to support the Department's policy and project delivery. The final report is available now below.

The report is available in two parts with higher resolution charts and maps.

The report is also available by chapters.

As part of this research project, BCARR has produced a set of factsheets that summarise the findings of the research with respect to population, housing, employment, skills, liveability, transport and connectivity.

The project is now completed, and includes a set of LGA factsheets.

Progress in Australian Regions and Cities Dashboard

The Progress in Australian Regions and Cities Dashboard brings together data about Australia’s cities and regions from a range of different sources and presents that data in a consistent format over time. It is designed to answer the question of how our cities and regions are progressing over time.

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Enter Progress in Australia Regions Dashboard

Statistical Analysis

Snapshot of Cities and Regions - chart pack

The Bureau of Communications, Arts and Regional Research (BCARR) has produced a chart pack. This chart pack provides a summary of population, employment, housing and liveability trends for our cities and regions.

Research