3412.0 - Migration, Australia, 2006-07 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 26/03/2008   
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MEDIA RELEASE
March 26, 2008
Embargoed 11.30 am (AEDT)
23/2008

Young adults make the most moves: ABS

Young adults proved to be the most mobile segment of the population during 2006-07, topping the figures for both overseas migration as well as interstate moves, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Overall, net overseas migration added 177,600 people to Australia's population during 2006-07.

Over half of this increase (59% or 105,300 people) was for people between 15 and 34 years of age, while only 3% (6,100 people) were 50 or older.

People arriving in Australia had a median age of 27 years, while people leaving had a median age of 29.

The most common country of birth was China, with a net increase of 23,000 people, very closely followed by the United Kingdom (22,800 people). There was a net loss of 22,700 Australian born people to overseas.

Interstate moves

There were 351,900 people who moved interstate during 2006-07; of these 45% (158,500 people) were aged between 15 and 34 years, while 15% (53,400) were 50 or older. The median age for interstate migrants was 28.

The largest number of interstate moves was from New South Wales to Queensland (52,200 people), but conversely the next largest movement was 33,500 people who left Queensland for New South Wales. The third largest movement was from New South Wales to Victoria (23,500 people) .

More details are available in Migration, Australia 2006-07(cat. no. 3412.0).

Media note:
The median age is the age at which half the population is older, and half is younger.