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Net overseas migration to Australia increases 27%

New South Wales and Victoria have recorded their highest ever levels of net overseas migration (NOM), according to the latest population figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

ABS Demography Director Beidar Cho said: “Australia’s net overseas migration for the year ending 30 June 2017 was 245,400, an increase of 27 per cent from the previous 12 months (2015-16).

“Net overseas migration in New South Wales and Victoria increased by 31 per cent and 23 per cent respectively. This growth has seen both states surpass their previous recorded high in 2008-09.”

All states and territories recorded an increase in NOM compared with the previous year. New South Wales was the most popular destination, with NOM of 98,600 and Victoria followed, with 86,900. This was followed by Queensland (31,100), Western Australia (13,100), South Australia (10,500), the Australian Capital Territory (2,800), Tasmania (1,500) and the Northern Territory (900). 

Overall, Australia’s population grew by 388,100 people, or 1.6 per cent, to reach 24.6 million by the end of June 2017. Victoria was the fastest growing state or territory, with a population increase of 2.3 per cent, followed by the Australian Capital Territory, 1.7 per cent.

Australia is growing faster than our close neighbours and other major OECD countries, except for Papua New Guinea (2.1 per cent). The Philippines and Singapore were the next fastest growing countries at 1.5 per cent, followed by Malaysia (1.4 per cent) and South Africa (1.3 per cent). In 2017 Australia’s population is ranked 53rd in the world and is projected to rank 56th by 2050.

Further information is available in Australian Demographic Statistics, June Quarter 2017 (cat. no. 3101.0).