Victoria’s population has topped six and half million fuelled by the fastest growth in numbers of new permanent residents across Australia.

The estimated resident population of Australia at 30 September 2018 was 25,101,900 people, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

This is an increase of 395,100 people since 30 September 2017, and 109,100 people since 30 June 2018.

The natural increase (births) for the year ended 30 September 2018 (155,000 people) was 5.1 per cent or 155,000 people. This is 7,500 people more than the natural increase recorded for the same period in 2017 (147,500 people).

Net overseas migration for the year ended 30 September 2018 was 7.5 per cent or 240,100 people – 19,400 people lower than the net overseas migration recorded for the previous year, the ABS said.

Australia’s population grew by 1.6 per cent during the year to September 2018. Natural increase contributed 39.2 per cent while migration contributed 60.8 per cent to total population growth.

All states and territories, except the Northern Territory, recorded positive population growth in the year ended 30 September 2018.

Victoria recorded the highest growth rate of all states and territories at 2.2 per cent. The Northern Territory recorded the lowest growth rate at -0.2 per cent.

Meanwhile, Chinese-born people are now officially the nation’s second biggest migrant group, edging out New Zealanders, the ABS says.

A surge in Chinese arrivals in recent years has seen their numbers increase to 606,450 in 2017 – up from 220,000 since 2011.

The British, at 997,830, are still the nation’s largest migrant group.

Another fast rising migrant group are Indians who grew from 337,120 in 2011 to 537,780 in 2017.

The next biggest groups are Filipinos (265,800), Vietnamese (250,490), Italians (191,510) and South Africans (185,390).

Population economist Dr Ian Pringle said Victoria remained attractive to overseas migrants because of a range of factors.

“Victoria’s economy continues to perform well, which makes it an attractive destination – especially for professional migrants,” Dr Pringle said.

“But it also has a great lifestyle. You don’t have the congestion and house prices of Sydney and it is community that is traditionally welcoming of foreigners,” he said.
“And Melbourne is not the world’s most liveable city for no reason,” Dr Pringle said.

Laurie Nowell 

AMES Australia Senior Journalist