In the last 12 months, Australia's population has increased to 24 million with migration contributing significantly to the rise.
Since 2006, net overseas migration has been the driver of Australia's annual population growth with net overseas migration contributing 53% to Australia's total growth with the remaining 47% due to natural increase. But, don't worry, at 32 times the size of the UK, there is still plenty of room left.
New South Wales remains the state with the largest population at 7.6 million with growth recorded at 1.4% producing a net increase of 104,000 people moving to the state. But former NSW Premier, Bob Carr has called for Australia to consider reducing its current intake of 190,000 by one-half arguing that Australia has the highest rate of population growth of any developed country which was undermining policies to make housing more affordable and to improve infrastructure.
Victoria, however, with 5.9 million people, is the fastest growing state which saw an increase of just under 100,000 people (a growth of 1.7%). Constantly voted as the "Worlds Most Liveable City", the state is also attracting a larger share of interstate migration (particularly from New South Wales).
Queensland's population at 4.8 million has seen modest growth at 1.2% and a population increase of 60,000 whilst South Australia's population now standing at 1.7 million recorded a growth rate of 0.85% and an increase of 13,000 people.
In Western Australia, the population now stands at 2.6 million but growth has fallen from 3.3% to 1.6% with a net gain of just 33,000 people. This decline has been largely influenced by a downturn in the resources sector resulting in a huge fall in net overseas migration. There has also been a shift in interstate migration with more people leaving Western Australia to move to other states than coming in.
Tasmania's population of 517,000 remains stable and growth of 0.4% increased its population by 2,000 people.
The Australian Capital Territory increased its population by 5,400 (1.4%) to 391,000 and the Northern Territory by just 900 (0.4%) to 245,000 people.
As at June 2015 the population of Australia's capital cities were as follows:
- Sydney (NSW) - 4,,840.000
- Melbourne (VIC) - 4,440.000
- Brisbane - (QLD) 2,274.000
- Perth - (WA) 2,021.000
- Adelaide - (SA) 1,304.000
- Hobart - (TAS) 219,000
- Darwin - (NT) 140,000
- Canberra - (ACT) 386,000