An empirical study on relocation choices : factors and issues determining labour mobility in Queensland

Labour mobility in Australia is increasingly becoming an area of concern, with high growth States such as Queensland experiencing recruitment difficulties and skill shortages despite high levels of inbound migration. Empirical studies have shown that migration patterns and relocation choices affect regional differences in labour market conditions. This study explores some issues by analyzing the potential factors that influence labour mobility and relocation choices to four regional areas in Queensland; namely Western Queensland, Bowen Basin, Queensland Coastal and South-east Queensland. The study utilises Choice Modelling, a statistical technique in the conjoint analysis family, to disaggregate relocation values for residents of three centres of Blackwater, Brisbane and Rockhampton. The findings show how relocation choices made by respondents are dependent on a number of issues and factors, and provide insights into labour mobility.