Australia just crossed 27 million people in September 2024—and kept climbing to 27.4 million by year’s end. Behind that headline number is a story about immigration surges, city-by-city growth gaps, and a federal government suddenly eager to slow the influx. Here’s what the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics data actually shows.
Total Population (Dec 2024): 27.4 million · Growth Rate (2024): 1.7% · Births in 2024: 292,318 · Fertility Rate: 1.481 births per woman
Quick snapshot
- 27.4M population by end of 2024 (Xinhua (citing ABS data))
- NOM fell 35.7% to 340,750 in 2024 (Xinhua (citing ABS data))
- Melbourne added 105,000 residents in 2024–25 (Australian Bureau of Statistics)
- Exact 2026 population projections vary by source
- Precise NOM breakdown by visa subclass for 2024
- Impact of migration policy on housing demand
- Sep 2023: NOM peaks at 556,000 (ABS overseas migration data)
- Mar 2024: 27.1M with NOM slowing to 510,000 (Centre for Population quarterly report)
- Sep 2024: 27.3M, growth at 1.8% (Centre for Population quarterly report)
- Projected 28.4M by 2026
- NOM targeting 260,000 under Labor policy
- Perth and Melbourne to remain top growth cities
Australia population 2024: key figures
The official data paints a clear picture of moderation after the post-pandemic surge. Here’s a snapshot of the headline numbers.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Population Dec 2024 | 27.4 million (ABS) |
| 2024 Growth | 445,900 people |
| World Rank | 54th |
| Projected 2026 | 28.4 million |
| NOM 2024 | 340,750 |
| Capital City Growth 2024–25 | 324,700 (1.8%) |
The numbers confirm a clear trend: growth has slowed from the peak but remains substantial. Capital cities drove most of the increase, while NOM—the dominant driver—has retreated significantly from its 2023 high.
Where does 85% of Australia’s population live?
Australia packs most of its people into a narrow coastal strip. Capital cities alone accounted for 324,700 new residents in the 2024–25 financial year, a 1.8% increase, while regional areas grew by 94,700 people (1.1%) (Australian Bureau of Statistics). The pattern holds across decades: most Australians live where the ocean meets the land, not in the vast interior.
Coastal concentration
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide together hold the bulk of the population. Melbourne led capital city growth in absolute terms, adding 105,000 residents in 2024–25, while Perth posted the highest growth rate at 2.4% (Australian Bureau of Statistics). Sydney added 75,200, Brisbane 58,200, and Perth 58,100 in the same period.
Perth is the city to track. Its 2.4% growth rate outpaces all other capitals, driven by net overseas migration of 51,000 and positive interstate flows. If mining and resources investment continues, Perth’s lead may widen.
Major cities breakdown
The capital city figures for 2024–25 reveal Melbourne’s dominance in absolute growth while Perth leads on percentage terms.
| Capital City | Growth 2024–25 | Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Melbourne | 105,000 | 2.3% |
| Perth | 58,100 | 2.4% |
| Sydney | 75,200 | 1.6% |
| Brisbane | 58,200 | 2.0% |
Capital city growth came from overseas migration (258,100), natural increase (96,300), and was partially offset by internal migration loss (-29,800) (Australian Bureau of Statistics). Regions gained slightly from people leaving cities, with a net flow of 31,000 from capitals to regions over the year to March 2024 (Centre for Population).
What is the ethnicity of the people in Australia?
Australia’s population is strikingly multicultural by global standards. According to census-based estimates and ABS data, more than half of Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent born abroad. The exact 2024 breakdown by ethnicity remains somewhat unclear due to timing gaps between census releases, but the overall picture is clear: Australia is one of the most diverse populations per capita among developed nations.
Ancestry groups
English, Irish, Scottish, Chinese, Indian, Italian, German, and Vietnamese ancestries feature prominently in Australian demographics. The 2021 Census showed these groups forming the core of Australia’s multicultural composition, with ongoing migration from India, China, the Philippines, and Vietnam driving recent change. Temporary students were the largest group of migrant arrivals at 157,000 in 2024–25 (Australian Bureau of Statistics), suggesting continued diversification.
Indigenous population
The Indigenous Australian population—Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples—numbered approximately 812,000 in 2021 estimates. This represents roughly 3.2% of the national population. Accurate 2024 figures await updated ABS releases, as the Indigenous population count typically lags general demographic reporting.
How many Irish are in Australia in 2024?
Australia has long been a destination for Irish migration, and the connection remains active. Census and migration data indicate over 100,000 Irish-born residents live in Australia, though the exact 2024 figure depends on updated migration statistics. Recent growth in Irish migration reportedly reflects shifts in global mobility patterns and labor market opportunities.
Irish-born residents
The Irish-born community in Australia has historically concentrated in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. According to ABS migration data, Ireland ranks among the top source countries for permanent and long-term arrivals, though precise 2024 rankings await official release. Visa subclasses like the Working Holiday Visa and skilled migration streams regularly feature Irish applicants.
Historical migration
Irish migration to Australia accelerated significantly from the 1990s onward, following changes to immigration policy and labor demand in sectors like healthcare, construction, and agriculture. The 2024 cohort reportedly continues this pattern, though net numbers have shifted with changing Australian policy priorities.
Which country has the most immigrants to Australia?
India and China consistently rank as the top source countries for migrants to Australia. The ABS migration data shows India and China leading in permanent and temporary migration streams, with the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Philippines, and Vietnam also featuring prominently. The exact 2024 rankings reflect these established patterns.
Top source countries
India has led recent migration flows to Australia, with 157,000 temporary student arrivals in 2024–25 and strong numbers in skilled migration streams (Australian Bureau of Statistics). China maintains significant numbers through both student and skilled pathways. The United Kingdom and New Zealand round out the top tier through historical ties and Working Holiday arrangements.
Department of Home Affairs data
The Department of Home Affairs publishes visa program reports that detail migration by country of origin. According to available data, India, China, the United Kingdom, Philippines, and Vietnam consistently appear in the top five source countries across skill, family, and humanitarian visa streams. Updated 2024 figures from this source are reportedly expected in forthcoming releases.
Net overseas migration is falling fast—but the pipeline of temporary migrants already in Australia is massive. Even with NOM targeted at 260,000 for 2024–25, the stock of people already onshore means the population momentum won’t reverse overnight.
Australia population 2024 by country
Understanding Australia’s population by country of birth requires looking at overseas-born statistics. The ABS reports that around 30% of Australia’s population was born overseas, placing Australia among the highest immigrant shares globally. Country-of-birth breakdowns for 2024 show India, China, UK, NZ, Philippines, Vietnam, and Italy as leading source nations.
By birth country
India has reportedly overtaken the United Kingdom as the largest overseas-born group in Australia based on recent migration data. China follows closely, with strong representation in student and skilled migration streams. The Philippines and Vietnam contribute substantial numbers through family reunion and skilled migration pathways.
Nationality distribution
The nationality distribution reflects Australia’s global recruitment strategy. English remains widely spoken, but growing communities from India, China, the Philippines, and Arabic-speaking nations have diversified the linguistic and cultural landscape. New Zealand citizens hold a special category under the Trans-Tasman Agreement, allowing unrestricted movement.
Net overseas migration: the detailed picture
The NOM figures show the scale of Australia’s migration swings across 2024, with each measurement period telling part of the story. To understand the nuances of these migration figures, it’s helpful to check the current time in Australia.
| Metric | Year to Mar 2024 | Year to Sep 2024 | Calendar 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOM | 510,000 | 380,000 | 340,750 |
| Arrivals | 718,000 | Not reported | 594,900 |
| Departures | 209,000 | Not reported | 254,200 |
| Change vs Prior | Baseline | −32% | −35.7% |
Three key periods tell the NOM story: 510,000 in the year to March 2024, falling to 380,000 by September, and ending at 340,750 for the full calendar year—a 35.7% drop from 530,620 in 2023 (Xinhua (citing ABS)). The decline accelerated through 2024 as government policy tightened visa requirements and international student caps.
Population milestones and growth timeline
The timeline traces Australia’s population journey through 2024, showing how the country crossed major thresholds while growth rates moderated.
| Date/Period | Population/Event |
|---|---|
| September 2023 | NOM peaks at 556,000 |
| 31 March 2024 | 27.1 million; growth at 2.3% |
| 30 September 2024 | 27.3 million; growth at 1.8% |
| Calendar 2024 | 27.4 million; growth 1.7% |
| 2024–25 FY (so far) | NOM 306,000; capitals +1.8% |
The growth slowdown is real and measurable. Population growth fell from a peak of 2.6% in September 2023 to 2.3% in the year to March 2024, then further to 1.8% by September 2024 (Centre for Population). The calendar year finished at 1.7%, a significant deceleration from the post-pandemic surge.
What’s confirmed and what’s unclear
Confirmed
- ABS official figures for 2024 births and growth
- NOM fell from peak of 556,000 in September 2023
- 292,318 registered births in 2024, fertility rate 1.481
- Melbourne led capital city growth at 105,000
- Labor Party target: 260,000 NOM for 2024–25
Unclear
- Exact 2025–2026 population projections vary by source
- Indigenous population 2024 figures await update
- Full visa subclass breakdown for calendar 2024
- Impact of policy changes on housing demand
Population growth has slowed from the peak of 2.6 per cent recorded in the September 2023 quarter, with declining net overseas migration (NOM).
— Centre for Population (analysts interpreting ABS data)
Net migration to Australia fell by over 30 percent in 2024, driving the country’s population growth to a three-year low.
— Xinhua (news agency, citing ABS)
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s governing Labor Party in May 2024 set a target of reducing Australia’s net migration intake to 260,000 in the 2024-25 financial year.
— Xinhua (news agency)
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Australia’s overall population surge draws heavily from urban centers like Brisbanes 2025 population rankings, where Brisbane nears 2.83 million residents as the third-largest city.
Frequently asked questions
What is Australia’s population in 2024?
Australia’s population reached 27.4 million by the end of calendar year 2024, according to ABS data cited by Xinhua. This represents growth of 445,900 people, or 1.7%, for the year.
How has Australia’s population changed since 2023?
Population grew from 26.45 million at the end of 2023 to 27.4 million in 2024. The growth rate fell from approximately 2.5% in 2023 to 1.7% in 2024, primarily due to a 35.7% decline in net overseas migration.
What is the projected Australia population for 2025?
Based on current trends, Australia’s population is projected to reach approximately 28 million in 2025, with continued moderation in growth as NOM stabilizes near government targets of 260,000 annually.
What drives Australia’s population growth?
Two factors drive Australia’s growth: net overseas migration (NOM) and natural increase (births minus deaths). In 2024, NOM accounted for roughly 77% of growth, with natural increase contributing about 23%.
How large is Australia’s Indigenous population?
The 2021 Census recorded approximately 812,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, representing about 3.2% of the population. Updated 2024 figures are reportedly pending release from the ABS.
What is Australia population 2024 by age?
Australia has a median age of approximately 38 years. The population structure reflects an aging society with a fertility rate of 1.481 births per woman, below replacement level, compensated by immigration.
What are population projections for 2030?
The ABS projects Australia will surpass 30 million by 2030 under current migration settings. However, policy changes targeting reduced NOM could moderate this trajectory, with projections ranging from 29.5 to 31 million depending on assumptions.
For policymakers and urban planners, the message is clear: Australia’s population engine is slowing but still running. With 27.4 million people and net migration targeted at 260,000, the country faces a delicate balancing act between managing infrastructure demands and maintaining economic growth through immigration.
Priya Mitchell leads fact-checking, source verification and corrections at Oz Monitorly.