State-by-state: Australia's migration hotspots as population reaches almost 27 million

Australia's population grew by 2.5 per cent in the 12 months to September 2023, driven by record levels of overseas migration.

The highest levels of migration have come from India and China. Source: AAP / Paul Braven

Record levels of overseas migration helped the nation's population grow to 26.8 million people last year, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Australia's population increased by 2.5 per cent — or 659,800 people — in the 12 months to 30 September 2023.

Net overseas migration accounted for 83 per cent of that growth.

There were 765,900 overseas migration arrivals and 217,100 departures last year, resulting in a net boost to Australia's population of 548,800 people.

Australia's population grew by 2.5 per cent in the 12 months to 30 September 2023. Source: SBS News

"Net overseas migration grew by 60 per cent compared with the previous year, driven by an increase in overseas migration arrivals (up 34 per cent), predominantly on a temporary visa for work or study," ABS' head of demography Beidar Cho said.

There were 295,000 births and 183,900 deaths registered in Australia over the same 12-month period.

That made the natural increase to the population just 111,000 people, a 3.9 per cent drop on the previous year.

NSW had the highest level of net overseas migration with 186,433 people arriving, followed by Victoria (161,758) and Queensland (87,954).

The Northern Territory had the lowest level with 3,189 people.

NSW was the most popular state for overseas arrivals. Source: SBS News

India was the top birth country for those moving to Australia, according to the latest available data.

China was the second most common birth country, followed by the Philippines, and the United Kingdom.

Australians, presumably returning home from time overseas, rounded out the top five.

The highest number of migrants to Australia in the 12 months to June 2023 were born in India. Source: SBS News

Which states and territories are people leaving and where for?

The high level of overseas arrivals meant there was positive population growth in every state and territory, but most lost more residents to interstate migration than they gained.

Queensland continued to be the most popular place for Australians to move to, with the state's population growing by 32,625 interstate arrivals in the year to September 2023.

Western Australia came in second, growing by 11,233 residents, while NSW was the least popular, losing 33,202 people to other parts of the country.

Only two states are gaining more residents from interstate than they are losing. Source: SBS News

Overall, WA had the fastest-growing population with an increase of 3.3 per cent on the previous year.

Victoria came in second with a growth rate of 2.9 per cent, while Queensland came in close behind with 2.7 per cent.

Tasmania had the slowest rate of growth at just 0.3 per cent.