Migration, Australia

In 2018, there were 7.3 million migrants living in Australia. This was 29% of the population that were born overseas. One year earlier, in 2017, there were 7.1 million people born overseas.

Every single country from around the world was represented in Australia's population in 2018. People born in:

• England (992,000) continue to be the largest group of overseas-born living in Australia. However, this has dropped from a peak of just over a million (1,013,000 people) in 2013
• China (651,000) remained in second place from 2017 with strong growth since 2002
• India (592,000) moved into third place dropping the New Zealand born (568,000) down to fourth place
• Australia (17.7 million) had increased 188,000 during the year
   

Australia's estimated resident population (ERP) by country of birth is measured at 30 June each year. This data is available at the national level annually.

For state and territory see the following chapter — State and Territory Population by Country of Birth. It is only available for Census years.

Historically, more people immigrate to, than emigrate from, Australia thereby adding to the growth of the national population. The various waves of migrants from numerous countries over time, has had an important effect on the diversity of Australia's population.

High levels of immigration in the years before 1891 resulted in 32% of the population enumerated as overseas-born in the first country wide census in 1891. In 2018 the proportion of Australia's population born overseas was 29%.

In 2018, those born in England (992,000 people) continued to be the largest group of overseas-born residents, accounting for 4.0% of Australia's total population. The Chinese born (651,000 people), having recently moved into second position, accounted for 2.6% of the population.

There are differences in the age structure of people born in Australia and those born overseas. As seen below, those born in Australia dominate the younger age groups, while the overseas born increases from the 20-24 age group which in part, is due to international students studying in Australia. The main reason there are less overseas-born in the very young age groups is that most people are far less likely to migrate with young families.

In 2018 the highest proportion of the population were the:

• 30-34 age group (2.9%) of those born overseas for both males (1.4%) and females (1.5%)
• 0-4 age group (6.1%) of those born in Australia also for both males (3.1%) and females (3.0%)
   

Ten years ago in 2008 the highest proportion of the population were the:

• 45-49 age group (2.3%) of those born overseas for both males (1.1%) and females (1.2%)
• 0-4 age group (6.2%) of those born in Australia, similar to 2018
   

The median age is useful to assess the changing age structure of a given population over time. It is the age at which half the population is older and half is younger.

The median age of the overseas-born population has gradually decreased from a decade ago to now be 44 years of age in 2018. On the other hand, the median age of the Australian born population has gradually increased over time to now be 34 years of age. The decrease in the median age of the overseas-born population is having a positive effect on the age structure of Australia by slowing the ageing of the total population.

Migrants from countries who were part of the post-second world war migration streams were now generally older, for example the Italian born population have a median age of 71 years. Whereas, those from more recent groups of migrant arrivals are younger, for example the Chinese and Indian born both had a median age of 34 years. This is the same as those born in Australia.

When analysing those countries of birth in 2018 within Australia (those with a population of 100 or more), the group with the:

• oldest median age was from Latvia at 77 years of age
• youngest median age was from the Cayman Islands at 12 years of age
• highest sex ratio was from Benin (with 227 males per 100 females)
• lowest sex ratio was from Turkmenistan (with 42 males per 100 females)

In 2016, the proportion of Australians born overseas was just under 29%. However, this varies across the nation.

At the state and territory level the proportion of the population born overseas was as follows:

• Western Australia had the highest proportion — 35%.
• Tasmania had the lowest — 13%.
• New South Wales — 30%.
• Victoria — 31%.
• Queensland — 24%.
• South Australia — 24%.
• The Northern Territory — 23%.
• The Australian Capital Territory — 28%.
   

Australia's estimated resident population (ERP) by country of birth is measured at the 30 June. At the state and territory level data is only available for Census years, with the latest being 2016.

The proportion of the population born overseas increased for all states or territories since 2011:

• The Northern Territory had the largest increase, up from 18.9% to 22.6%.
• Tasmania had the smallest, up from 12.5% to 13.1%.
   

In 2016, those born in England (just over 1 million people) continued to be the largest group of overseas-born residents. The New Zealand born (568,000 people) were in second place while the Chinese born (558,000) were in third place. At the state and territory level the ranking of countries varies to the national level and that of the other states and territories.

The largest group of overseas-born residents for each state and territory in 2016 was as follows:

• New South Wales — China (256,000 people)
• Victoria — England (193,000)
• Queensland — New Zealand (220,000)
• South Australia — England (104,000)
• Western Australia — England (214,000)
• Tasmania — England (20,000)
• Northern Territory — Philippines (7,000)
• Australian Capital Territory — England (13,000).
   

Overseas migration to and from Australia in 2018, resulted in a net increase to Australia's population of 237,200 people:

• There were 526,300 migrant arrivals which was an annual decrease for the first time since 2014
• There were 289,000 migrant departures which is the highest number on record
• 327,300 of the migrant arrivals were on temporary visas and 87,900 were on permanent visas.
   

Net overseas migration is the net gain or loss of population through immigration (migrant arrivals) to Australia and emigration (migrant departures) from Australia. The data presented here are annual, for years ending 30 June. For quarterly migration estimates see Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0).

While exhibiting a pattern of variability over time, net overseas migration has remained above 180,000 people since 2006. After two consecutive years of increases, in 2018 there was a decrease as shown in Graph 3.1.

In the year ending 30 June 2018 there was:

• a net gain from overseas migration of 237,200 people. This was 10% fewer than in 2017 (26,100 people)
• the second largest decrease in net overseas migration since 2010.

The decrease in net migration for 2018 was comprised of a decrease in migrant arrivals and an increase in migrant departures.

There were:

• 526,300 migrant arrivals, which was 13,900 fewer than during 2017 and a fall for the first time since 2014.
• 289,000 migrant departures, which was 12,200 more than during 2017.
   

The three largest states, New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, continued to account for the largest contributions to net overseas migration nationally in the year ending 30 June 2018. Australia's 10% decrease in migration during the year was also experienced by the three largest states and the Northern Territory.

The net overseas migration estimates and change from one year earlier for each state and territory were:

• New South Wales 89,800 people (with a decrease of -15,700)
• Victoria 85,100 (decrease of -6,200)
• Queensland 28,700 (decrease of -5,400)
• South Australia 12,700 (increase of 500)
• Western Australia 12,800 (increase of 800)
• Tasmania 2,600 (increase of 200)
• Northern Territory 800 (decrease of -1,000)
• Australian Capital Territory 4,800 (increase of 600).
   

When comparing migrant arrivals and migrant departures in 2017-18 to 2016-17:

• Victoria recorded the largest increase in migrant arrivals of 1,100 people
• New South Wales recorded the largest decrease in migrant arrivals of -8,600 people
• Victoria recorded the largest increase in migrant departures of 7,300 people
• Western Australia recorded the largest decrease in migrant departures of -4,600 people.
   

Temporary visa holders were the majority of migrant arrivals (62%) and migrant departures (49%) in the year ending 30 June 2018.

• There were 327,300 migrant arrivals on temporary visas including nearly 159,000 international students (30% of all migrant arrivals)
• Arrivals on temporary work skilled visas decreased from a year ago by 19% to 26,600 people
• Migrant departures on temporary visas increased by 8% to 141,400 people.

For permanent visa holders in 2018, migrant arrivals declined while migrant departures increased from one year earlier.

• 17% of all migrant arrivals were permanent visa holders
• Permanent visa holders arriving decreased from a year ago to 87,900 people (down 17%)
• Permanent visa holders departing increased from a year ago to 21,200 people (up 3%)
• 7% of all migrant departures were permanent visa holders.

For Australian and New Zealand citizens (who do not require a visa for migration to Australia), in the year ending 30 June 2018:

• 30,400 New Zealand citizens moved to Australia to live, however in the same year, 23,400 left Australia to live overseas
• 76,500 Australian citizens returned to Australia after living overseas but in the same year 90,600 decided to move overseas to live.
   

In the year ending 30 June 2018, people aged 20 to 24 years made up the largest proportion of migrant arrivals, while those aged 25 to 29 made up the largest proportion of migrant departures. The proportion of overseas-born migrants is much higher than Australian-born migrants for both arrivals and departures for almost all age groups. This is mainly due to the ebb and flow of temporary migration into and out of the country. The exception to this is migrant departures for the 0 to 4 year old age group, where almost four fifths were Australian born.

• The 20 to 24 age group had the highest proportion of migrant arrivals with 21% of all migrant arrivals. Of this age group 95% were born overseas.
• The 25 to 29 age group had the highest proportion of migrant departures with 20% of all migrant departures. Of this age group 83% were born overseas.
   

The regions of the world where Australia's incoming migrants are born can change considerably over time. The five years to 30 June 2018 has seen such changes, with a shift away from Europe and Oceania towards the regions of Asia and to some degree the Americas. Oceania, previously the highest birthplace for migrant arrivals in 2013, has been surpassed by North-east Asia in 2018. Migrant arrivals from South and Central Asia are now higher than Oceania, North-west Europe and South-East Asia.

During 2017-18, there were 392,700 people who moved interstate, an increase of 4.3% from the number of people who moved interstate during the previous year.

• Queensland had the highest net gain from interstate migration of 24,700 people
• New South Wales had the highest net loss from interstate migration of 21,700 people.
   

Net interstate migration (NIM) is the net gain or loss of population through the movement of people from one state or territory of usual residence to another. The data presented here are annual, for years ending 30 June. For quarterly migration estimates see Australian Demographic Statistics (cat. no. 3101.0)

In the year ended 30 June 2018, there was a net gain from interstate migration which contributed to population growth for:

• Queensland — (24,700 people)
• Victoria — (14,300)
• Tasmania — (2,400)
• Australian Capital Territory — (600).
   

In the year ended 30 June 2018, there was a net loss from interstate migration which contributed to population loss for:

• New South Wales — (-21,700 people)
• Western Australia — (-11,300)
• South Australia — (-5,200)
• Northern Territory — (-3,800).
   

In some states and territories consistent long-term patterns of net gains or net losses from interstate migration have been established whereas other, mainly smaller states, experienced fluctuating results through the years

Over the 10 years to June 2018, interstate migration contributed to population growth for:

• Queensland, with consecutive net gains, had the highest average annual gain of 11,600 people, however the gain for 2018 was the highest in the last 10 years
• Victoria, also with consecutive net gains, had an average annual gain of 8,900 people
• Australian Capital Territory which had a modest average annual gain of 400 people
• Tasmania which also had a modest average annual gain of 300 people, however the net gain for 2018 was the highest in the last 10 years.

Over the 10 years to June 2018, interstate migration contributed to population loss for:

• New South Wales, with consecutive net losses, had the highest average annual loss of -13,600 people, however the loss for 2018 was the highest in the last 10 years
• South Australia, also with consecutive net losses, had an average annual loss of -4,500 people
• Northern Territory which had an average annual loss of -1,700 people, however the net loss for 2018 was the highest in the last 10 years
• Western Australia which had an average annual loss of -1,300 people, but recoded net gains for the first 5 years until 2012-13.
   

Regional overseas migration is the movement of people to or from Australia's regions through immigration or emigration. Net regional overseas migration is the net gain or loss of population through this movement.

This commentary analyses regional overseas migration estimates for 2017-18 as released in Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18 (cat. no. 3218.0). It discusses data at the Greater Capital City Statistical Area and Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) levels, as defined in the Australian Statistical Geography Standard.

All capital cities recorded net gains from overseas migration. 

• Melbourne had the largest net gain (78,000), followed by Sydney (77,100) and Brisbane (16,600). 
• Darwin had the smallest net gain with 640 people, followed by Hobart (1,500) and the Australian Capital Territory (4,800).
   

Sydney and Melbourne contained the ten SA4s with the highest net gains through regional overseas migration in 2017-18. 

• Melbourne - Inner had the largest net gain of all (18,200), followed by Melbourne - South East (15,300). 
• In Sydney, the SA4s with the largest net gain were Sydney - Inner South West (12,300) and Sydney - Parramatta (12,100).
   

In contrast, the SA4s with the smallest net gains from overseas migration were almost all outside of the capital cities, mostly covering rural and remote regions of Australia. These included:

• South East in Tasmania (110 people)
• Barossa - Yorke - Mid North in South Australia (160)
• Queensland - Outback (160)
   

Regional internal migration is the movement of people from one region to another within Australia (both interstate and intrastate). Net regional internal migration is the net gain or loss of population through this movement.

This commentary analyses regional internal migration estimates for 2017-18 as released in Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2017-18 (cat. no. 3218.0). It discusses data at the Greater Capital City Statistical Area and Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) levels, as defined in the Australian Statistical Geography Standard.

Brisbane had the highest net internal migration gain of all capital cities (16,000 people) with most arrivals coming from:  

• Rest of Queensland (44,000)
• Sydney (11,700) 
• Rest of New South Wales (11,000)
   

Melbourne (5,700) and Hobart (1,300) had the next highest net internal migration gains. 

Sydney had the highest net loss of all capitals (-27,300 people). Most people departed Sydney for: 

• Rest of New South Wales (50,200)
• Melbourne (15,000)
• Rest of Queensland (13,200)
   

The capital cities with the next highest net loss were Perth (-5,800) and Adelaide (-5,100). 

Gold Coast had the highest net migration gain of all SA4s (7,700 people) with most net gains to the Gold Coast coming from the adjoining SA4s of:

• Logan - Beaudesert (3,100 people) in Queensland
• Richmond - Tweed (2,300) in New South Wales
   

Other SA4s with relatively high net gains included Queensland's Sunshine Coast (6,900 people) and Melbourne - West (6,000), which encompasses some of Melbourne's largest growing suburbs such as Tarneit, Truganina and Rockbank – Mount Cottrell.

Sydney - Inner South West had the highest net migration loss of all SA4s (-8,700 people). In net terms this area lost most people to the neighbouring Sydney SA4s of:

•  South West (-4,700 people)
• Parramatta (-3,800) 
• Outer South West (-3,000)
   

Other SA4s with relatively high net migration losses included Sydney - Parramatta (-6,400), Sydney - Eastern Suburbs (-5,200 people) and Sydney - Inner West (-4,200).

Help for: ABS.Stat Datasets

Estimated resident population, country of birth, age and sex - as at 30 June 1996 to 2018
Estimated resident population, country of birth, state/territory, age and sex - as at 30 June 1996 to 2016, Census years
Net overseas migration, arrivals, departures and net, state/territory, age and sex - calendar years, 2004 onwards
Net overseas migration, arrivals, departures and net, state/territory, age and sex - financial years, 2004-05 onwards
Interstate migration, arrivals, departures and net, state/territory, age and sex - calendar years, 1997 onwards
Interstate migration, arrivals, departures and net, state/territory, age and sex - financial years, 1996-97 onwards
Net overseas migration, arrivals, departures and net, state/territory, major groupings and visas - calendar years, 2004 onwards
Net overseas migration, arrivals, departures and net, state/territory, major groupings and visas - financial years, 2004-05 onwards

20/06/2019 - Net Interstate Migration and Net Overseas Migration estimates for calendar year 2018 have been added. Net Overseas Migration estimates for calendar year 2017 have been revised from preliminary to final.

03/04/2019 - Footnotes in the chapter Net Interstate Migration have been updated.

This release previously used catalogue number 3412.0.