Migration levels to Australia have fallen by almost ten per cent over the past year, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data.

In 2014-15, net overseas migration reflected an annual gain of 168,200 persons, 9.8 per cent less than in 2013-14.

An estimated 339,000 people moved interstate in 2014-15, a decrease of 2.9 per cent from the previous year.

And, at 30 June 2015, 28.2 per cent of Australia’s estimated resident population, or 6.7 million people, were born overseas.

Victoria saw the largest population growth with 64,242 people arriving and New South Wales second with 59,447.

The Northern Territory’s population shrank with the loss of 1945 people.

The United Kingdom remains the leading source of foreign-born residents with 1.2 million, followed by New Zealand (611,000), China (481,800), India (432,700), Philippines (236,400), Vietnam (230,200), Italy (198,200), South Africa (178,000), Malaysia (156,500) and Germany (125,000).

Meanwhile, the data shows the boom in tourists from China continues.

In May, tourists from greater China and Hong Kong totalled 120,700 (mainland China 100,800, Hong Kong, 19,900), ahead of New Zealand at 109,900.

Greater China passed NZ for the first time in September 2015.

Over the past year a record 1,133,700 tourists came to Australia from China, up 22.7 per cent over the year.

Tourists from China and Hong Kong rose to a record 1,366,500 over the past year, up 21 per cent over the year.

Tourists from New Zealand totalled 1,314,300 visitors over the past year, but were up just 3.9 per cent.

Short-term visitor arrivals during May 2016 (677,000 movements) increased 0.7 per cent, compared with April 2016 (672,500 movements).

This followed monthly increases of 0.8 per cent in both March 2016 and April 2016. The current trend estimate for arrivals is 10.9 per cent higher than in May 2015.

Laurie Nowell
AMES Australia Senior Journalist