3101.0 - Australian Demographic Statistics, Sep 2007 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 19/03/2008   
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MEDIA RELEASE
March 19, 2008
Embargoed: 11.30 am (AEDT)
21/2008
Australia's population continues to increase

Australia experienced an annual estimated population growth rate of 1.5% for the year ending September 2007, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

The increase of 318,500 people (in the year ending September 2007) saw Australia's population rise to 21,097,000 people. Net overseas migration contributed 179,100 people (56%) to Australia's growth while natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) added 139,400 (44%) to the tally.

Nationally, Western Australia recorded the fastest population growth at 2.4%, this was followed by Queensland and the Northern Territory both recording a growth rate of 2.2%. Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory both recorded population growth at the national average of 1.5%. New South Wales and South Australia both had population growth rates of 1.0%, followed by Tasmania at 0.8%.

Net overseas migration was the largest contributor to population growth for most states and territories, especially South Australia, New South Wales and Victoria. Western Australia continued to have the fastest net overseas migration rate of all the states and territories.

Queensland remained a popular destination for interstate migrants with 102,200 people moving to Queensland from other states and territories (almost 2,000 people per week). Movement from Queensland to other states and territories was 75,200 (just over 1,400 people per week). This resulted in a net gain for Queensland of 27,000 people from other states and territories. Western Australia recorded a net increase of 4,200 people from other states and territories.

At 30 September 2007, the resident population for each state and territory was:


New South Wales 6,909,000;Western Australia 2,119,000;
Victoria 5,226,000; Tasmania 494,500;
Queensland 4,201,000; Northern Territory 216,500;
South Australia 1,588,000; Australian Capital Territory 340,300.

More details are available in Australian Demographic Statistics, September Quarter 2007(cat. no. 3101.0).

Media note:
Net interstate migration: The net gain or loss of population though interstate migration, being the change of a person's place of usual residence from one state or territory to another state or territory.
Net overseas migration: The net gain or loss of population through immigration to Australia and emigration from Australia.