As a wave of Papua New Guineans and Pacific Islanders move and begin settling in Australia under the new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV), the reality of the Australia’s housing crisis is reshaping where these new residents choose to call home. While Sydney and Brisbane have long been popular destinations, record-high rents are forcing a strategic shift toward emerging suburban hubs and more affordable southern capitals.
The latest Domain Rent Report highlights a stark divide in the market.
Melbourne has emerged as the most accessible entry point for newcomers, offering the cheapest house rents in the country at a median weekly rate of $580.
In contrast, Sydney remains the most expensive hurdle for families, with median rents hitting $800, followed by Brisbane at $670.
Housing experts note that this financial pressure is driving many to relocate further from city centers and into greenfield developments where infrastructure and lifestyle are rapidly improving.
For those navigating this transition, community support networks are proving vital.
In Melbourne’s more affordable western and eastern corridors, suburbs like Werribee West and Box Hill organizations such as PNGAA Victoria and the Louise Multicultural Community Centre offer essential settlement services ranging from English classes to networking for PNG and Pacific families.
These areas are also served by the Migrant Information Centre and the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support (SETS) program, which provide direct advocacy for healthcare and education.
Despite the current rental surge in the northern states, property analysts expect a long-term shift in demand. Gareth Croy, Managing Director of financial and property firm Your Future Strategy, predicts that Melbourne will stand out as a “hero” for growth after the early 2030s.
“Based on the growth rates across other capital cities, it (Melbourne) is going to become substantially cheaper, and therefore it’s going to draw demand because that’s the option that people can afford,” Mr. Croy said.
In Queensland, the PNG Federation Queensland Inc and Mana Pasifika serve as critical cultural anchors for those moving into high-demand Brisbane suburbs like Bracken Ridge and Kedron.
Meanwhile, in Sydney’s western “second CBD” of Parramatta, the NSW Council for Pacific Communities and the PHIVE community hub provide resources for those managing a median house price of $1,480,000.
Ultimately, the choice of where to settle is being dictated by employment proximity rather than a desire for city-center living.
“It’s good old fashioned property economics around people wanting to live close to employment, so reducing travel time to and from work,” Mr. Croy said.
“So proximity to the CBD is less important for people and the creation of that hub is becoming desirable for people to just stay around that same area.”
Source: Australian Associated Press