Melbourne has again led Australia’s population growth, largely through migration, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) for the 2023-24 financial year.

Melbourne had the largest growth of any city, up by 142,600 people, followed by Sydney (107,500), Brisbane (72,900) and Perth (72,700).

Perth had the highest growth rate of 3.1per cent, followed by Melbourne and Brisbane, both 2.7 per cent.

Natural increase, or increase from births, was highest in Melbourne followed by Sydney, Brisbane and Perth.

Brisbane and Perth were the only capitals to have net internal migration gains. Net internal migration loss was largest in Sydney and Melbourne.

All capital cities experienced net overseas migration gain, which was largest in Melbourne followed by Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.

The capitals grew by 427,800 people or 2.4 per cent in 2023-24.

Capital city growth comprised overseas migration (373,000), natural increase (89,500) and internal migration (-34,600).

Victoria also led regional population growth with the largest growth in: Fraser Rise-Plumpton (up by 4,300 people) and Rockbank-Mount Cottrell (4,100) in Melbourne’s outer west.

The areas with the highest growth rates were Taylor (29 per cent) in Canberra’s outer north and Fraser Rise-Plumpton (26 per cent).

“While net overseas migration (121,200 people) and natural increase (29,000) were positive contributors to Greater Melbourne’s population increase, net internal migration was negative (-7,600),” the ABS report said.

“Mickleham-Yuroke, in Melbourne’s outer north, had the largest natural increase or 870 people.

“Fraser Rise-Plumpton had the largest net internal migration gain of 3,800. Carlton, in inner Melbourne, had the largest net overseas migration gain at 2,900,” the report said.

Australia set a record for migrants arriving in the 2022-23 financial year with a net figure of 518,000 people added to the population according to the ABS.

“In the year ending 30 June 2023, overseas migration contributed a net gain of 518,000 people to Australia’s population. This was the largest net overseas migration estimate since records began,” an earlier ABS report said.

The report said many potential migrants didn’t come to Australia in 2020 and 2021 because of border closures and impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

During this time temporary visa holders recorded the largest declines in arrivals. In 2022-23 the number of migrants arriving on temporary visas has gone up and the number departing has reduced slightly.

“Historically, more people migrate to Australia than migrate away each year, meaning overseas migration has been a significant source of population gain for Australia rather than loss. Although overseas migration was a record high in 2022-23, the cycle of migration has not returned to the pattern seen prior to the COVID-19 pandemic,” the ABS report said.