Leslie Massey
Australia's population has quadrupled since the end of World War I, with immigration being a major factor. In 2019, 30% of the Australian population, or 7,529,570 people, were born overseas. Sydney and Melbourne, Australia's most populated cities, have witnessed significant population growth fueled by immigration, with overseas migrants accounting for over 80% of the increase. The country has one of the highest net immigration rates relative to its population in the Western world, and its population is projected to surpass 30 million by 2029.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population as of 21 July 2025 | 27,940,400 |
| Population rank worldwide | 54th |
| Population rank in Oceania | 1st |
| Population density | 3.6 persons per square kilometre |
| Population concentration | Urban areas, Eastern, South Eastern and Southern seaboards |
| Expected population by 2029 | 30 million+ |
| Population growth contributors | Immigration, natural growth |
| Net overseas migration (2022-23) | 536,000 |
| Overall migration (2022-23) | 739,000 |
| Net permanent and long-term arrivals (2023) | 447,790 |
| Percentage of population growth due to overseas migrants in Sydney and Melbourne | 80%+ |
| Population of Sydney | 5.5 million |
| Sydney's population growth rate | 2% per year |
| Immigrants as a percentage of the population | 30% |
| Top countries of origin for immigrants | India, UK, China, Philippines, Nepal |
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What You'll Learn
Immigration from Asia
Australia's population has quadrupled since the end of World War I, and much of this increase is due to immigration. In 2019, 30% of the Australian resident population, or 7,529,570 people, were born overseas. Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population—a higher proportion than in any other nation with a population of over 10 million.
In the 21st century, Asia is the largest source of immigrants to Australia. Migration from Europe has steadily declined over the years, with Asian countries becoming the dominant source of new arrivals. India has seen the largest surge in migration to Australia, with an additional 505,000 people entering the country in the decade from 2014 to 2024. This was followed by China (234,000), the Philippines (164,000), and Nepal (155,000). In 2025, India was set to surpass the UK as the largest migrant community in Australia, with 963,560 migrants from the UK and 916,330 from India.
Annathurai Gnanasambandam, director of Visa Help Australia, has attributed this shift to India's demographics, skilled workforce, and high demand for international education, which have made Australia a preferred destination. Conversely, the UK recorded the largest decrease in migrants to Australia, with 47,000 fewer individuals entering the country from 2014 to 2024.
Overseas migrants account for more than 80% of the population growth in Sydney and Melbourne, the two most populous cities in Australia. This influx has put pressure on transport and water infrastructure, leading to increased costs for residents. Despite a concurrent exodus due to congestion and unaffordable housing, Sydney's population is still increasing by two per cent a year, with a current population of 5.5 million people.
Net overseas migration reached a record level of 536,000 in 2022–23. Overall migration was 739,000 in 2022–23, and net permanent and long-term arrivals in 2023 were 447,790, the highest on record. Most immigrants are skilled, but the immigration quota also includes categories for family members and refugees.
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High population growth in cities
Australia's population has quadrupled since the end of World War I, much of this increase is due to immigration. As of 2025, Australia's population is estimated to be 27,940,400, with the majority of the population concentrated in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards.
Sydney, Australia's most populous city, has seen a significant influx of overseas migrants, accounting for over 80% of the city's population growth. This has resulted in increased congestion and housing affordability issues, with residents facing higher costs for essential commodities such as water. Despite some residents moving to other parts of Australia to escape the congestion, Sydney's population continues to grow by 2% annually.
Melbourne, another major Australian city, has experienced similar trends, with overseas migrants making up 80.7% of its population growth. The high population growth in these cities has put pressure on infrastructure, including transport and water services.
Net overseas migration reached a record level in 2022-23, with Asia being the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. India has been a significant contributor to migration, with an additional 505,000 people entering Australia from 2014 to 2024. Other notable sources of migration include China, the Philippines, and Nepal.
The Australian government has faced criticism for its handling of immigration, with concerns about overcrowding and the impact on residents' cost of living. However, Treasurer Jim Chalmers defended the government's position, stating that net migration is at its lowest point since the pandemic and is being managed to serve Australia's national interest.
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Housing affordability crisis
Australia's housing affordability crisis has been decades in the making. Since the early 1990s, there has been a steady decline in social housing, which now accounts for less than 4% of the housing market in Queensland. During the same period, house prices have continued to rise, with prices rising at twice the rate of disposable income for the past 25 years. This has resulted in a crisis where too many Australians do not have access to affordable housing.
Several factors have contributed to the housing affordability crisis in Australia. Firstly, government policies have treated housing as a commodity to be speculated on rather than a means for people to live. This has led to an increase in investors viewing housing as an attractive investment asset, further driving up prices. Additionally, Australia's growing and ageing population has increased demand for housing, with immigration accounting for a significant portion of the country's population growth. In the year ending in March, overseas migrants accounted for over 80% of the population growth in Sydney and Melbourne, with similar trends observed in other major cities.
The impact of the housing affordability crisis is felt across the country, with varying levels of severity. In 2019-20, housing costs as a proportion of income were highest in New South Wales at 14.7% for homeowners with a mortgage and 22.2% for private renters. Sydney and Hobart were the least affordable metropolitan areas, with rental affordability index scores indicating that households spend 30% or more of their income on rent. The crisis has also led to an increase in the number of people without long-term housing, with a 25% rise since 2019.
To address the housing affordability crisis, there have been calls for innovative finance and development models that empower communities to contribute to the development and delivery of new affordable housing stock. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian government implemented measures that nearly doubled income support for the poorest citizens, enabling them to afford housing and other essentials. While these measures provided temporary relief, there is a need for more permanent solutions to ensure that all Australians have access to secure and affordable housing.
The Australian government has recognized the severity of the housing affordability crisis and has taken steps to address it. In 2023, the National Housing Accord was launched, bringing together various stakeholders to increase the supply of affordable housing. However, critics argue that these efforts have not gone far enough, and there is a need for more decisive action to tackle the ongoing crisis.
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Increased birth rates
Australia's population has grown from an estimated population of between 300,000 and 2,400,000 Indigenous Australians at the time of British colonisation in 1788. The population is currently estimated to be 27,940,400 as of 21 July 2025 and is expected to exceed 30 million by 2029.
Australia's population growth can be attributed in part to an increase in birth rates, particularly within the Indigenous population. In 2023, there were 24,737 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander births registered, an increase of 349 babies from 2022. This represented 8.6% of all births registered in 2023. The total fertility rate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women was 2.17 births per woman, which is higher than the national average.
The increased birth rate within the Indigenous population can be attributed to various factors, including improved access to healthcare and family planning services, as well as cultural and social factors that value large families. Additionally, the Australian government has implemented policies and initiatives to support Indigenous families and promote cultural connections, which may also contribute to the increased birth rate.
While the birth rate among Indigenous Australians has been rising, the overall birth rate in Australia has been relatively stable or experiencing a slight decline, which is in line with global trends. The total fertility rate in Australia is estimated to be around 1.7 births per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1 births per woman. This means that each generation is having fewer children than the previous one, which can have social and economic implications for the country in the long term.
To address the declining birth rate, the Australian government has implemented policies such as providing financial incentives for having children and supporting work-life balance for parents. These policies aim to encourage Australians to have more children and promote a balance between work and family life. However, the impact of these policies on the birth rate is complex and influenced by various social, cultural, and economic factors.
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Population density
Australia's population density is 3.6 persons per square kilometre of total land area, making it one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world. However, the population is concentrated mainly in urban areas, particularly on the Eastern, South Eastern, and Southern seaboards. Sydney, Australia's most populous city, has seen an influx of overseas migrants, accounting for over 80% of the city's population growth. This has resulted in overcrowding and congestion, with residents facing steep increases in water bills as utilities struggle to keep up with the growing demand.
Melbourne, the second-most populous city, has experienced similar challenges, with migration accounting for 80.7% of its population growth. Despite a slight exodus from these cities, the population of Sydney continues to increase by two per cent annually, and Melbourne is facing challenges in keeping up with housing demand.
The high immigration rate has contributed to Australia's population growth, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population. In 2022-23, net overseas migration reached a record level of 536,000, with Asia being the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. The migration trend is expected to continue, with net permanent and long-term arrivals in 2023 reaching 447,790, the highest on record.
While the immigration surge has benefits, it also presents challenges for infrastructure and resource management, particularly in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne. The Australian government is working to address these issues and rebalance the immigration system to align with the country's national interests.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia's population has increased due to numerous waves of immigration. In 2025, there were almost a million migrants from the UK and India respectively, with China, the Philippines, and Nepal following closely behind.
Sydney and Melbourne have been the cities most affected by the population increase, with Sydney's population still increasing by two per cent a year despite an exodus of 41,086 residents in one year.
The population increase has put pressure on transport and water infrastructure. As a result, residents of Sydney and Melbourne have faced higher water bills and congestion.
The Albanese government has been accused of mismanaging immigration, with the Shadow Immigration Minister pledging to cut permanent migration if elected. Treasurer Jim Chalmers, however, has defended the government's position, stating that net migration is declining.
