Australia’s Population Tops 28 Million, Driven by Migration
Australia’s population has now surpassed the significant milestone of 28 million people for the first time. Official figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) indicate that the nation’s population grew by 412,500 individuals in the year concluding on December 31, 2025.
The primary driver of this population increase is overseas migration, which accounted for 301,000 of the total growth, representing nearly three-quarters of the net gain. Natural population increase, the difference between births and deaths, contributed the remaining 111,500 people.
Migration Trends Show Decline, Yet Remain Historically High
While the latest figures show a decrease in Net Overseas Migration (NOM) of approximately 9 per cent compared to the previous year, and a significant drop of over 45 per cent from its post-Covid peak in 2023, the overall trend remains historically elevated. Data reveals that migration has consistently remained above 300,000 for 14 consecutive quarters, a period spanning more than three and a half years. This sustained level suggests a stabilization within a relatively tight range.
Over the past four observed quarters, annual NOM figures have been recorded at 309,000, 302,000, 309,000, and most recently, 301,000. For the first half of the 2025-26 financial year, NOM stands at 145,000, which is less than half of the full-year Budget forecast of 295,000.
Factors Influencing Migration Numbers
This decline in NOM is attributed to changes across various visa categories. Migration involving temporary visa holders has seen a 10 per cent reduction over the past year. International student migration has also decreased by 10 per cent, returning to pre-pandemic levels. Furthermore, visitor migration continues to decline as a result of stricter visa regulations aimed at curbing visa hopping.
Concurrently, there has been an increase in departures of individuals on working holiday visas, as those who arrived after the border reopening following the Covid-19 pandemic begin to leave the country.
Government and Opposition Views Clash
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke stated that the latest migration figures demonstrate the effectiveness of the government’s current strategy. He remarked, “As the data shows, we are bringing migration down with a sensible, measured approach to provide the skilled workers Australia needs, while addressing exploitation and rorts.” He further emphasized, “The numbers of temporary visa holders and international students also continue to fall, as we prioritise the skills that we need to care for our sick and elderly and build homes.”
However, the opposition contends that migration levels remain excessively high, continuing to place significant pressure on housing and infrastructure. Shadow Immigration Minister Senator Jonno Duniam argued that the data contradicts the government’s assertions. “Labor keeps trying to tell Australians that the migration numbers are coming down, but the latest ABS figures again portray a very different story,” he stated. “A NOM figure of 301,000 is still far too high – particularly at a time when Australians are struggling to find a home, rents remain under extreme pressure and public infrastructure and services are badly stretched.”
Senator Duniam also criticized the government’s emphasis on the decline from the 2023 peak. “Labor cannot keep pretending that things are on the right path, particularly by citing the ridiculous statistic that they’ve brought the numbers down by around 45 per cent from the unprecedented peaks on their watch in 2023,” he said. “The truth is that migration remains at levels never seen under the former Coalition government, and that these elevated levels have now been sustained for 14 straight quarters.”
