MARCH KEY FIGURES
 | Population at end Mar qtr 2012 | Change over previous year | Change over previous year |
| PRELIMINARY DATA | '000 | '000 | % |
|
| New South Wales | 7 272.8 | 73.5 | 1.0 |
| Victoria | 5 603.1 | 82.5 | 1.5 |
| Queensland | 4 537.7 | 76.4 | 1.7 |
| South Australia | 1 650.6 | 14.1 | 0.9 |
| Western Australia | 2 410.6 | 73.3 | 3.1 |
| Tasmania | 512.1 | 1.3 | 0.3 |
| Northern Territory | 233.3 | 3.0 | 1.3 |
| Australian Capital Territory | 373.1 | 7.0 | 1.9 |
| Australia(a) | 22 596.5 | 331.2 | 1.5 |
|
| (a) Includes Other Territories comprising Jervis Bay Territory, Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands. |
Population growth, Quarterly

| Population Growth Rate, Year ended current quarter

|
MARCH KEY POINTS
ESTIMATED RESIDENT POPULATION
- The preliminary estimated resident population (ERP) of Australia at 31 March 2012 was 22,596,500 people. This reflects an increase of 331,200 people since 31 March 2011 and 111,100 people since 30 December 2011.
- The preliminary natural increase recorded for the year ended 31 March 2012 (149,600 people) was 3.0%, or 4,400 people, higher than the natural increase recorded for the year ended 31 March 2011 (145,200 perople).
- The preliminary net overseas migration recorded for the year ended 31 March 2012 (197,200 people) was 18.2%, or 30,400 people, higher than the net overseas migration recorded for the year ended 31 March 2011 (166,800 people).
POPULATION GROWTH RATES
- Australia's population grew by 1.5% during the year ended 31 March 2012.
- Natural increase and net overseas migration contributed 43% and 57% respectively to total population growth for the year ended 31 March 2012.
- All states and territories recorded positive population growth in the year ended 31 March 2012. Western Australia continued to record the fastest growth rate of all states and territories at 3.1%. Tasmania recorded the slowest growth rate at 0.3%.
This page last updated 17 December 2012