Australia's Enterprising Cities shaping future growth

Enterprising Cities are selected based on their significant role in Australia’s economy. They must have experienced robust growth over the past five years, driven by their multifaceted environments and entrepreneurial spirit.

The selection of Enterprising Cities considers their economic performance, population growth, and employment rates. And, includes their ability to attract people, businesses and opportunities, plus their resilience in facing economic challenges. These cities are also chosen for their diverse industry sectors.

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a notable shift in Australia’s population growth, steering it away from major capital cities towards smaller cities. This migration has revitalised regional economies, impacting local and residential housing and job markets.

Another commonalilty is their durability and adaptability in the face of recent economic challenges. Despite economic headwinds, these cities have remained resilient.

Enterprising Cities employ over one one-third of all Australians . They have experienced robust growth over the past five years and are increasingly seen as desirable destinations, attracting people and businesses from larger metropolitan areas and drawing interest from international companies looking to establish a presence and invest in these thriving urban centres.

Enterprising Cities house almost 10 million people (36% of Australia’s population) and they have 5.1 million workers (36% of Australian workers).

The population grew by 1.7% during 2024 compared with 1.9% for the rest of Australia. This was mainly due to higher international migration favouring cities over regional areas.

Enterprising Cities are emerging as centres of excellence for advanced manufacturing, focusing on renewable energy, advanced material production, aerospace, healthcare, agrifood, and defence-related industries.

The healthcare industry is expanding due to an ageing population, rising demand for health services, increasing health consciousness, and a focus on preventive care. Professional services have also seen significant growth, offering higher wages and knowledge-based services like IT, accounting, and engineering.

Enterprising Cities have the potential to further enhance their attractiveness to residents and businesses through strategic urban development, focusing on quality of life and talent, business and investment attraction.

The KPMG Cities of Value framework provides a strategic tool for sustainable urban development, helping Enterprising Cities to thrive economically, socially, and environmentally.

The number of workers in Enterprising Cities increased by 2.5% during 2024 compared to 3.0% for the rest of Australia. Job vacancies remain high by historical levels, highlighting that employers are still struggling to fill open positions, and point to ongoing strength in the labour market.

Over the next five years, Enterprising Cities are projected to create thousands of new jobs, with specific growth in industries such as healthcare, professional services, and advanced manufacturing.