Are you a fan of cities that feel like big country towns? Apart from the lively arts scene and sprawling gardens, here’s why everyone is moving to Toowoomba.
Regardless of whether you are a recently qualified doctor or have many years of experience already under your belt, sometimes we all just crave a tree change to spice things up. The goods news is that building a life in Toowoomba is well within reach – but why would you want to?
It’s no secret that Queensland is experiencing an interstate migration boom. The global pandemic has changed the way we work, live and play, and when compared to our southern neighbours, Queenslanders have had it relatively lax in terms of lockdowns and social distancing restrictions. Interestingly, Brisbane’s biggest employer is the healthcare industry, with over 12.5% of the city’s population working within this field. With a wealth of career opportunities, this same demand is spreading further outside of the CBD “up the hill” to Toowoomba, Queensland’s “Garden City”.
Experts say that the population of Toowoomba will reach 122, 444 by the end of June 2021. Looking back on the data of the last eight years, the growth rate has been both strong and consistent, with 2000 to 4000 people moving to the region each year. Increasing job opportunities, affordable housing, infrastructure investment and domestic tourism have worked wonders in regards to putting Toowoomba on the map in recent years – but why would you want to live there?
Five Things To Know Before Moving To Toowoomba
Just 130km west of Brisbane, Australia’s second largest inland city is booming thanks to the addition of a full service airport and the development of industries outside of agriculture. The city has managed to shake off it’s “daggy” reputation, and has transformed itself from a sleepy city atop the Great Dividing Range, into a thriving and diverse region that dared to reinvent itself.
Previously, Toowoomba wasn’t known for much else other than the Carnival Of Flowers. However, in recent years the city’s “cool” factor has grown enormously thanks to newer additions like laneway cafes, street art festivals, rooftop bars and the CBD’s makeover.
The $500 million redevelopment of the city’s major retail precinct was also a vote of confidence from investors in regards to the anticipated population growth of the region – and Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise (TSBE) Chief Executive Officer, Ali Davenport, agrees.
Ms Davenport said The Regional Institute of Australia predicts that the Toowoomba economy will experience a $10 billion boom in the next 15 years.
“Toowoomba’s Gross Regional Product is estimated at $11.56 billion, up $340 million on the previous year. The latest reported yearly figures equate to regional economic growth of 3pc per annum. This far exceeds national economic growth of 2pc, state growth of -0.3pc and a rise of 1.5pc across regional Queensland for the year to June 30, 2019.”
As Australia’s third most diverse regional economy, major players in the employment sector include health, education, manufacturing, transport and logistics, agriculture and production, mining and professional services. In fact, the healthcare industry is the biggest employer of the Toowoomba region, with 15.9% of the population working in this sector.
While this is great news if you’re entertaining the idea of moving to Toowoomba for work as a doctor or medical professional, what should you know prior to committing to a treechange to the Garden City?
Pack A Jacket (Or Two) – Since the city is 691 metres above sea level and when compared to other parts of the state, Toowoomba experiences it’s share of winds, hail and fog. It is much cooler than many other towns and cities in Queensland, so be sure to pack accordingly.
Coffee Culture Is A Thing – Believe it or not, it’s easy to mistake parts of Toowoomba’s CBD for Melbourne. The narrow laneways have been transformed into food and dining precincts in recent years, with no shortage of brunch and coffee options when exploring the city.
Embrace The Old World Charm – Europeans began settling in the area from 1816. By the end of the 1840s, the rich lands around Toowoomba were being used for agriculture – so it comes as no surprise that the city is home to a wealth of old world buildings and monuments.
The Art Scene Is Pumping – The inaugural First Coat Street Art Festival in 2014 introduced “T-Bar” in a whole new light to the rest of the country. Both local and world class artists managed to transform the CBD into a ‘Gram worthy tourism hub, for mural and art lovers alike.
Explore The Great Outdoors – With over 150 public parks, there’s a reason why Toowoomba is known as the “Garden City”. With a wealth of national parks, wineries and hiking destinations at its doorstep, Toowoomba is also the gateway to the Granite Belt for those looking to get outside.
Moving To Toowoomba As A Medical Professional
If you’re on the hunt for a doctor job in the Toowoomba region, there’s a chance that you’ll either want to work a little, a lot – or something in between. Toowoomba based medical jobs with House Call Doctor offer flexibility, with shifts that fit around your current workload, personal commitments, or even just lifestyle preferences.
Whether you’re looking to travel, increase your earning potential, gain experience, or even just a desire for greater job satisfaction, moving to Toowoomba paired with a career with House Call Doctor could be the just answer that you’ve been looking for.
Are you –
- An Australian or Internationally Trained Medical Graduate
- Have full registration with the Medical Board of Australia
- Have two years post graduate experience, including experience in paediatrics, accident and emergency, general medicine and surgery
If you can answer yes to all of the above, then why not consider registering your interest for our current available doctor jobs with House Call Doctor today, and be a part of the medical revolution.
