Steps to encourage migrants to settle in regional and low-growth metropolitan areas appear to be working.

Figures from the Department of Immigration have revealed a 43per cent increase in the number of migrants intending to settle in South Australia last financial year, the highest growth of any state.

South Australia took 6.9per cent of the national migrant intake, its highest rate in at least 20 years, while NSW recorded the lowest proportion of the total, at 33.9 per cent, in the same period.

Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone said the growing shift to regional areas was a result of the higher costs of living in Sydney, and the "other states and territories more aggressively marketing themselves and, frankly, having opportunities".

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20980451-5006787,00.html