Leaders from the health, education, agriculture and arts sectors have formed a new alliance to help regional Australia become home to 11 million people by the end of the decade.
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The National Alliance for Regionalisation is a body of chief executives from more than 30 organisations including the Rural Doctors' Association, Regional Arts Australia and National Farmers' Federation.
The group was established by the Regional Australia Institute think tank to support its aim for bigger and stronger regions by 2032.
"It's no secret regional kids are still behind their metro counterparts at school. Employers are struggling to get staff - yet migration levels are significantly lower in regions. Towns are crying out for doctors, but kids in the country are less likely to finish high school," the institute's chief executive Liz Ritchie said.
"Despite these challenges, regional Australia remains the engine room of our national economy, but it's not firing on all cylinders."
The alliance will work on the institute's 10-year ambition which includes boosting the regional population, increasing the share of skilled workers and ensuring better access to housing, education and child care.
The group will meet for the first time in Canberra on Tuesday morning.
Australian Associated Press
