Australia’s Population Surpasses 28 Million
Australia has officially crossed a significant demographic threshold, with its population now exceeding 28 million people. This milestone was reached around 6am, as calculated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. The bureau’s estimates indicate that Australia gains a new citizen approximately every 75 seconds, highlighting the steady pace of population growth.
The calculation takes into account various factors such as new births, deaths, and migration. The last update to these figures occurred on July 1, 2025, and since then, the population has continued to rise. It took just over two years for the population to grow from 27 million to 28 million, with estimates placing the population at 27,594,464 at the end of 2025.
Over the past five years, Australia’s population has increased by nearly 2.5 million. However, this growth was slightly slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic due to reduced migration and an increase in deaths caused by the virus. Despite these challenges, the country continues to experience consistent population expansion.
According to the current algorithm used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the population is expected to reach 29 million sometime in 2028 and could surpass 30 million by 2031. This projection underscores the ongoing trend of population growth, which is influenced by both natural increase and immigration.
Migration Trends and Changing Demographics
Australia is home to approximately 8.3 million citizens who were born overseas. For many years, England was the leading country of birth for migrants. However, recent data suggests a shift in this trend, with India now being the most common country of birth for non-Australian citizens.
As of June 30 last year, it was estimated that 971,020 Australian citizens were born in India, while 970,950 were born in England. This small difference highlights the changing dynamics of migration to Australia.
The increase in immigration following the pandemic has prompted the federal government to focus on maintaining a sustainable level of population growth. However, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke has emphasized the importance of migration to Australia’s economy and society.
“You need to make sure that we don’t end up with our farmers not being able to get people to pick their fruit,” he said during a press conference earlier this year. “You need to make sure that you don’t wreck your aged care system.”
The Role of Immigration in Australia’s Future
Immigration plays a crucial role in supporting key sectors of the Australian economy, including agriculture and healthcare. With an aging population, the demand for workers in the aged care sector is increasing, making migration essential to meet these needs.
At the same time, the government is working to balance population growth with sustainability. This involves careful planning to ensure that infrastructure, housing, and public services can accommodate the growing number of residents.
As Australia continues to grow, the focus will remain on managing population expansion in a way that supports economic development, social cohesion, and long-term sustainability.
