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Internal Return Migration and the Northern Territory: New Migration Analysis for Understanding Population Prospects for Sparsely Populated Areas

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Abstract

Australian internal migration is characterised by increasing temporariness. In addition, a greater number of people undertaking cross-jurisdictional migration are those who have already moved more than once. However, most research and discussion on migration does not examine the characteristics of these multiple-movers. Regional and peripheral areas such as the Northern Territory of Australia are becoming increasingly reliant on short-term and temporary migration to maintain population growth overall. Consequently, a better understanding of the differences between first-time migrants and short-term migrants is required for policies aiming to attract and retain migrants. Differentiating the characteristics of these migrant groups is also vital to attracting-back former, or repeat, residents. In this research we develop and apply a new method for examining the migration behaviours of a region’s former residents and their likelihood of returning, using the Northern Territory of Australia as the basis. Results demonstrate policy and planning can be enhanced by distinguishing internal migrant types and that the methods we have developed to do so are purposeful as well as replicable for other regions.

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Fig. 1

Source: Created in ArcGIS by Dávid Karácsonyi, Charles Darwin University

Fig. 2

Source: Author’s calculations based on ABS Census of Population and housing data

Fig. 3

Source: Calculated using ABS Data, created in ArcGIS by Dávid Karácsonyi, Charles Darwin University

Fig. 4

Source: Author’s calculations based on ABS Census of Population and housing data

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Data Availability

The data that support the findings of this study are openly available at ABS TableBuilder at https://www.abs.gov.au/websitedbs/censushome.nsf/home/tablebuilder. The data requires a Table Builder Pro account, which may require a subscription.

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  1. Northern Institute, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina Campus, Northern Territory, Darwin, 0909, Australia

    James Thurmer & A. Taylor

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  1. James Thurmer
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  2. A. Taylor
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Correspondence to James Thurmer.

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Thurmer, J., Taylor, A. Internal Return Migration and the Northern Territory: New Migration Analysis for Understanding Population Prospects for Sparsely Populated Areas. Popul Res Policy Rev 40, 795–817 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11113-020-09616-5

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