Four Million More Aussies

Australia's population is tipped to grow by another four million people over the next decade.

The Centre for Population’s latest population statement predicts there will be 31.5 million Australians by the end of 2035 - 150,000 fewer than previously expected.

According to the statement, population growth will slow to 1.3% in FY2026, mainly due to reduced migration and lower fertility rates. It says net overseas migration has fallen since its peak in FY2023, with fewer temporary migrants, particularly on student and visitor visas, arriving.

Fertility rates have dropped to a record low of 1.42 children per woman, well below the replacement level of 2.1.

Capital city populations are projected to grow nearly twice as fast as regional populations, with both Sydney and Melbourne expected to exceed 8 million by the 2050s.

In FY2026, Western Australia is expected to have the highest population growth rate of 1.8%, followed by Queensland and Victoria, which are both forecast to grow by 1.5%, ACT, 1.3%, Northern Territory, 1.2%, Sydney, 1.1%, South Australia, 0.8% and Tasmania, 0.1%.