FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
23 March 2017
Steady rate of population growth continues in Q3 2016
Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics today show that Australia’s population increased
by 348,700 people in the year ending September 2016, but there are wide divergences between the
growth rates in the various states and territories, said the Housing Industry Association (HIA), the voice
of Australia’s residential building industry.
“Overall, the rate of population growth increased slightly during 2016. The population grew by 1.5 per
cent in the year to September 2016, which is up slightly from 1.4 per cent recorded in the year to
September in 2015. The stronger rate of growth was driven by both a stronger contribution from natural
population growth and a stronger contribution from net overseas migration,” said economist Geordan
Murray.
“Natural population growth (births minus deaths) added 155,472 people to the population over the year
to September 2016, which was around 5.1 per cent higher compared with the previous year. Net
overseas migration (incoming minus outgoing migrants) contributed 193,223 people to the increase over
the year ending September 2016, which was around 9 per cent higher compared with a year earlier.
There were wide divergences in the rates of population growth around the country. Victoria led the way
with growth of 2.1 per cent. This was followed by the ACT (1.5 per cent), New South Wales (1.4 per
cent), Queensland (1.4 per cent), Western Australia (1.0 per cent), South Australia (0.6 per cent),
Tasmania (0.5 per cent) and the Northern Territory (0.3 per cent).
“The majority of the growth in population attributable to overseas migration is occurring in the eastern
seaboard states, which underpins the strong growth in these jurisdictions. Over the year to September
2016, 40 per cent of the growth due to net overseas migration occurred in New South Wales, while a
further 36 per cent occurred in Victoria and 11 per cent occurred in Queensland.
“Interstate migration is also playing an important role in the divergent rates of population growth around
the country. The overall flow of interstate migration within Australia has been particularly strong in recent
quarters, although the flow eased slightly in the September 2016 quarter. The eastern seaboard states
continue to be the main beneficiaries of interstate migration.
“Queensland was the big winner in the interstate migration stakes during the September 2016 quarter.
The state has seen a gradual improvement in interstate migration flows since mid-2015 and the
September 2016 quarter was the highest level recorded since 2008.
“There were also improvements in interstate migration flows for NSW in the September 2016 quarter.
While NSW still recorded a net outflow of residents to other states, the scale of the outflow dropped
markedly. In contrast Victoria has seen large net inflows from other states in recent quarters, but the net
inflow was down compared with the previous quarter.
“As the age profile of Australia’s population becomes increasingly skewed towards older age groups,
population growth and migration will become ever more important in ensuring Australia has a workforce
capable of maintaining the nation’s ongoing economic prosperity. It is important that policy makers today
are planning for this future,” concluded Geordan Murray.
For further information please contact:
Geordan Murray, Economist
0438 103 651
Shane Garrett, Senior Economist
0450 783 603
Australia's Population Growth by Component - Moving Annual Total
Source: ABS 3101.0
500,000
450,000
400,000
350,000
300,000
250,000
200,000
150,000
100,000
Total MAT
Natural Increase MAT
Net Overseas Migration MAT
Annual Population Growth to Sep Qtr 2016
Source: HIA Economics, ABS 3101.0
2.5%
2.1%
2.0%
1.4%
1.4%
1.5%
1.5%
1.5%
ACT
Australia
1.0%
1.0%
0.6%
0.5%
0.5%
0.3%
0.0%
NSW
Page 2 of 2
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
Sep-16
Sep-15
Sep-14
Sep-13
Sep-12
Sep-11
Sep-10
Sep-09
Sep-08
Sep-07
Sep-06
Sep-05
Sep-04
Sep-03
Sep-02
Sep-01
Sep-00
Sep-99
Sep-98
Sep-97
0
Sep-96
50,000