3412.0 - Migration, Australia, 2011-12 and 2012-13 Quality Declaration 
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 18/12/2013   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All
MEDIA RELEASE
18 December 2013
Embargoed: 11.30 am (Canberra time)
228/2013

One-third of WA born overseas


One-third of Western Australia’s population were born overseas, the highest proportion of any state or territory according to new figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

“The proportion of overseas born residents in Western Australia has continued to increase from one Census to the next,” said Bjorn Jarvis, Director of Demography at the ABS.

People born in the United Kingdom (256,100), New Zealand (81,000) and South Africa (39,800) were the largest groups of migrants, accounting for almost half (48 per cent) of Western Australia’s overseas born population in 2011.

“Victoria had the second highest proportion of migrants at 29 per cent born overseas. The largest migrant groups were those born in the United Kingdom (228,400), India (126,800) and China (112,800).

"In June 2013, Australia’s population included 6.4 million migrants (28 per cent of the population). Over the past decade the number of people born overseas who are now living in Australia has increased by 1.7 million people,” said Mr Jarvis.

People born in the United Kingdom remained the largest group of migrants with over 1.2 million calling Australia home, followed by those from New Zealand (608,800), China (427,600) and India (369,700).


PEOPLE BORN OVERSEAS LIVING IN AUSTRALIA—2011


StatePercentage of people born overseasTop 3 countries of birth

Western Australia33United Kingdom (256,100), New Zealand (81,000) and South Africa (39,800)
Victoria29United Kingdom (228,400), India (126,800) and China (112,800)
New South Wales28 United Kingdom (300, 200), China (190,000) and New Zealand (128,800)
Australian Capital Territory26United Kingdom (16,900), China (8,000) and India (6,500)
South Australia24United Kingdom (128,900), Italy (22,100) and India (21,000)
Queensland 23United Kingdom (232,600), New Zealand (215,600) and South Africa (39,400)
Northern Territory19United Kingdom (7,600), New Zealand (4,800) and the Philippines (4,400)
Tasmania13United Kingdom (25,000), New Zealand (5,500) and the Netherlands (2,800)

More information on migrants living in Australia and data on overseas and interstate migration can be found in Migration, Australia 2011-12 and 2012-13 (cat. no. 3412.0.) Available for free download from www.abs.gov.au

Media notes:

  • Country of birth data is available at the state and territory level in Census years only.
  • When reporting ABS data you must attribute the Australian Bureau of Statistics (or the ABS) as the source.