Recent demographic data reveals Australia’s population has reached unprecedented levels of multicultural diversity, with foreign-born residents now comprising 31.5% of the nation’s total population – equivalent to more than 8.6 million people.
According to the latest Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) figures, Indian migrants are poised to become the largest overseas-born community in Australia, overtaking those born in the United Kingdom. Current numbers show 963,560 UK-born residents compared to 916,330 from India, with the latter expected to claim the top position by the end of 2025.
The statistics indicate China ranks third with 700,120 residents (excluding those from Hong Kong and Macau), followed by New Zealand with 617,960, and the Philippines with 394,380. Other significant migrant populations include Vietnam (318,760), South Africa (224,160), Nepal (197,800), Malaysia (183,490), and Sri Lanka (172,800).
The transformation of Australia’s demographic landscape is evident in the steady rise of overseas-born residents, climbing from 23.8% in 2004 to the current 31.5%. This places Australia eighth globally in terms of international migrant populations, with the United States leading at 52.4 million foreign-born residents.
A notable shift has occurred in migration patterns over the past decade, with Asian countries now representing the primary source of new arrivals while European migration continues to decline. Between 2014 and 2024, India contributed an additional 505,000 migrants, followed by China (234,000), the Philippines (164,000), and Nepal (155,000).
Visa Help Australia’s director, Annathurai Gnanasambandam, attributes India’s surge to its favorable demographics, skilled workforce, and strong interest in international education, making Australia an attractive destination for Indian migrants.
Conversely, traditional source countries have experienced significant decreases. The UK saw 47,000 fewer migrants during the same period, with similar declines from Italy (44,000), Greece (28,000), and Germany (18,000). European migrants typically have a median age of 60 years or older, reflecting post-World War II immigration waves.
The distribution of migrant communities varies significantly across Australian states. New South Wales hosts the largest Chinese-born population, followed by British and Indian residents. Victoria shows a strong Indian presence, exceeding Chinese migrants by approximately 90,000. Queensland’s overseas population is primarily composed of New Zealanders and British residents, while Western Australia and Tasmania maintain a predominantly British migrant presence.
The surge in migration has sparked political debate, particularly regarding housing affordability. The opposition Coalition has criticized the Albanese government’s handling of immigration, with net overseas migration for 2023-24 expected to reach 340,000 – exceeding initial projections by 80,000.
Shadow Immigration Minister Dan Tehan has pledged to reduce permanent migration from 185,000 to 140,000 if elected, citing concerns over the government’s immigration forecasts. However, Treasurer Jim Chalmers maintains that net migration is declining to its lowest level since the pandemic, emphasizing the government’s commitment to aligning the immigration system with Australia’s national interests.
The data highlights Australia’s evolving identity as an increasingly diverse nation, with significant demographic shifts reshaping its social and cultural landscape. These changes continue to influence policy discussions around population growth, infrastructure
development, and social integration.