Trends in net interstate migration (NIM)
There were an average of 369,900 interstate moves per year over the 10 years to June 2009, with the pattern of movement being mainly northward to Queensland. Table 6.2 shows that Queensland (26,700 persons), Western Australia (1,200 persons) and Victoria (80 persons) were the only states to record average annual net interstate migration (NIM) gains over this period.
Over the decade, Queensland consistently recorded an annual NIM gain from the rest of the country. These annual NIM gains ranged from 18,400 persons in the current year (2008-09) to 38,000 persons in 2002-03.
Victoria's NIM fluctuated throughout the decade. For the first three years (ending June 2002) Victoria recorded gains from NIM, the peak gain being 5,200 persons in 1999-2000, before recording declines (between the years ending June 2003 and June 2008). The peak loss was 3,100 persons in 2004-05. By 2008-09 NIM, for Victoria, had returned to a positive 700 persons.
Western Australia recorded NIM losses for the years 1999-2000 to 2002-03, ranging between 2,000 persons and 3,600 persons. However, the state recorded an average gain in the ten year period (1,200 persons) due to the annual gains recorded from 2003-04 and onwards; gains which ranged between 2,100 persons and 5,200 persons.
For the 10 years to June 2009, the remaining states and territories recorded NIM losses with New South Wales recording the largest annual average net loss (24,000 persons) followed by South Australia (3,000 persons), the Northern Territory (650 persons), the Australian Capital Territory (200 persons) and Tasmania (140 persons).
New South Wales and South Australia recorded a net loss for each year of the 10 years ending June 2009. For Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory NIM fluctuated between annual losses and gains.
6.2 Net interstate migration - 1999-2000 to 2008-09(a) |
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| NSW | Vic. | Qld | SA | WA | Tas. | NT | ACT |
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1999-2000 | -14 274 | 5 219 | 18 453 | -3 531 | -2 187 | -2 632 | -907 | -91 |
2000-01 | -16 315 | 5 163 | 20 024 | -2 418 | -3 110 | -2 136 | -1 592 | 407 |
2001-02 | -25 102 | 3 609 | 30 035 | -1 308 | -3 582 | -1 423 | -1 998 | -197 |
2002-03 | -32 467 | -743 | 37 984 | -1 191 | -1 972 | 1 993 | -2 768 | -802 |
2003-04 | -31 098 | -3 051 | 35 498 | -2 910 | 2 095 | 2 574 | -1 487 | -1 586 |
2004-05 | -26 321 | -3 070 | 30 371 | -3 226 | 2 241 | 267 | 610 | -842 |
2005-06 | -25 576 | -1 831 | 26 607 | -2 711 | 3 933 | -82 | -553 | 258 |
2006-07 | -27 404 | -2 418 | 27 044 | -3 658 | 5 188 | -926 | 253 | 1 921 |
2007-08 | -21 937 | -2 736 | 23 088 | -4 499 | 4 808 | 344 | 1 197 | -265 |
2008-09 | -19 831 | 698 | 18 388 | -4 676 | 4 825 | 672 | 746 | -822 |
Annual average 1999-2000 to 2008-09 | -24 033 | 84 | 26 749 | -3 013 | 1 224 | -135 | -650 | -202 |
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(a) Estimates for 2008-09 are preliminary - see paragraphs 9-10 of the Explanatory Notes. |