National, state and territory population, March 2024

Australia’s population was 27.1 million on 31 March 2024, 2.3 per cent higher than a year earlier. Population growth has slowed from the peak of 2.6 per cent recorded in the September 2023 quarter, with declining net overseas migration (NOM).

NOM was 510,000 over the year to March 2024, and 134,000 in the March quarter. NOM has continued to decline (Chart 2), reflecting fewer arrivals in the March 2024 quarter compared to a year earlier. Nonetheless, NOM remains elevated, with arrivals still high despite some recent moderation, and departures remaining low. Low departures are due to both the relatively recent arrival of many temporary migrants and many onshore migrants seeking to extend their stay by applying for further visas.

Natural increase (births minus deaths) remained low at 106,000 over the year to March 2024, the same level compared to a year earlier. A fall in births over this period was offset by declining deaths post‑pandemic. The total fertility rate for 2022–23 was a record low of 1.55 babies per woman (down from 1.58 in the previous release).

Since the recent peak in annual NOM in September 2023, population growth has been softening in all states and territories. Western Australia grew faster than any other jurisdiction over the year to March 2024 (3.1 per cent), followed by Victoria (2.7 per cent) and Queensland (2.5 per cent). Tasmania (0.4 per cent) and the Northern Territory (0.8 per cent) were the slowest growing jurisdictions.