Muval Introduces MuveRank: A Real-Time Migration Ranking Tool for Australian Regions

In a recent collaboration with population geographers from The University of Queensland, the national online removalist booking platform Muval has developed MuveRank: a real-time migration analysis tool for regions of Australia.

In a recent collaboration with Dr Elin Charles-Edwards and her team of population geographers from The University of Queensland, the national online removalist booking platform Muval has developed MuveRank: a real-time migration analysis tool for regions of Australia. This tool is the first of its kind in Australia, providing real-time rankings of migration flows into and out of Australian towns and cities. By offering fresh insights into these dynamics, MuveRank aims to provide a clearer picture of internal migration patterns across the nation.

Overview of MuveRank

MuveRank utilises data gathered from Muval's platform to display how many people are relocating to and from various areas. Users can access an interactive graph that ranks regions based on net migration, as well as inbound and outbound migration over the past five years. The tool covers capital cities and Statistical Areas Level 4 (SA4), and it is set to update its data quarterly, providing the latest estimates on migration trends.

Top 10 Net Migration Areas for 2023

View the interactive MuveRank tool

Interactive Mapping for Easy Visualisation

Alongside MuveRank, Muval has also launched an interactive map that shades various areas of Australia to indicate the percentage of overall net migration each area experiences annually. The 2023 version of this map highlights notable migration trends, such as increased movement to the Sunshine Coast and changing patterns in Richmond-Tweed. These visual aids are designed to make it easier for users to understand the migration flows relative to other areas, particularly in the context of recent shifts due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

View the interactive migration hotspots map

Methodology Behind the Data

The data underpinning MuveRank comes from more than 300,000 de-identified and anonymised records of planned moves by Muval users, spanning from January 2019 to December 2023. No personally identifiable information has been used in this analysis. These records were geocoded according to the Australian Statistical Geography Standard and cleaned to ensure accuracy, removing entries with insufficient address information. The analysis was carried out by creating origin-destination matrices at multiple geographical levels, providing a granular view of migration patterns.

This data was then compared to two sources of official statistics from the Australian Bureau of Statistics: the Regional Internal Migration estimates and the 2021 Census data. The comparison involved regressing quarterly Muval data against these official datasets to assess correlations and identify any biases, particularly towards capital city regions and Greater Melbourne. The insights from this regression analysis helped refine the models used to predict migration flows.

Enhancing the Model’s Accuracy

Despite the comprehensive nature of the data and the sophisticated analytical methods employed, there are inherent limitations due to the bias in geographic areas with fewer data points. To address this, Muval has introduced control variables that help mitigate these biases and improve the reliability of the estimates. The models fitted to the census data accounted for approximately 95 percent of the variance in the census estimates, validating their utility for predicting migration patterns.

Glossary of Key Terms

Practical Applications and Future Potential

MuveRank is not only a tool for individuals and families considering relocation but also serves as a resource for urban planners, policymakers, and researchers interested in understanding and anticipating changes in population distribution. By providing a current view of migration trends, MuveRank supports informed decision-making in various sectors, potentially affecting housing, infrastructure development, and regional planning.

As Muval's data continues to expand as the company grows, we plan to make this model more granular in areas where the data allows using the SA3 and potentially the SA2-level geographies. 

Limitations and Considerations

While Muval is confident in the results, the platform acknowledges potential biases, especially in areas with limited data. Fluctuations in migration data that appear significant may require cautious interpretation to avoid drawing misleading conclusions.

With the introduction of MuveRank, we are proud to have made a small contribution to the accessibility of migration data and provided a useful tool for tracking and analysing internal migration in Australia. As our platform continues to gather more data and refine its models, the accuracy and impact of MuveRank are expected to increase, making it a valuable addition to the resources available for understanding migration patterns within Australia.

Disclaimer and Terms of Use

The information contained in the data, tools, charts, reports, downloads or other information on this website is nor professional, scientific or expert advice; may not be accurate, current or complete; is subject to change without notice and should never be relied on as a basis for doing something or failing to do something. Users of this site must use their own judgement, knowledge and expertise when deciding whether it is appropriate to apply this information to any particular scenario. The data, tools, charts, reports, downloads or other information are a guide only and may not be appropriate for use in all situations or settings. Muval Pty Ltd and its officers, employees and agents make no representations and give no warranties, express or implied, in relation to the data, tools, charts, reports, downloads or other information or their accuracy, currency, reliability or completeness, and accept no responsibility for their accuracy, currency, reliability or completeness.
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Copyright Licence

MuveRank rankings and the Average Price Guide are licenced under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence. Any use of this work must include proper attribution by linking back to the relevant page on the Muval website or to the Muval homepage (https://www.muval.com.au) with a hyperlink.

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