Australia's population has now surpassed 28 million, following the Albanese government's exceeding of its net overseas migration targets. Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday estimates the nation's population at 28,000,212 at the time of publication.
Population Growth Dynamics
The population clock, based on various estimates, indicates that one person arrives to live in Australia every 59 seconds. Meanwhile, one baby is born every two minutes and 16 seconds, and one person dies every three minutes and 33 seconds. Additionally, one Australian resident is estimated to leave for overseas every two minutes and 35 seconds.
Migration Forecasts Revised Upward
The data emerges weeks after the Albanese government's budget papers revealed that Australia will welcome an additional 35,000 people in 2025-26 compared to earlier forecasts. A further 20,000 extra arrivals are expected in the 2026-27 financial year. This brings the total net overseas migration to 1.2 million people between 2025 and 2030.
The Treasury attributed the increased forecast to migrants on temporary visas departing at 'lower rates than in the past'. In last year's federal budget, the government pledged to cap net overseas migration at 260,000 in 2025-26 and 225,000 in 2026-27.
Government Response and Policy Shift
Under pressure to act, the Albanese government recently announced it would set the Migration Program planning level at 185,000 people, with 70 per cent allocated to skilled entrants. The government will prioritise 129,960 places for migrants already in Australia, with the remaining 55,110 offshore places reserved for 'highly skilled migrants' to address long-term skill shortages.
Political Implications
Immigration levels are emerging as a key political battleground, with Pauline Hanson's One Nation gaining traction in the polls after advocating for a hardline policy. Hanson has consistently called for tougher immigration measures and has proposed a firm cap of 130,000 permanent visa entries per year.
When asked about banning Muslim immigration on Sunday, Hanson told Sky News: 'If you've got people coming from these countries that are radical Islamists and their ideology is not compatible with our country, yes I do.' She added: 'There's certain countries I probably would ban them coming into Australia… and I do want to ban the burqa because it's incompatible with our culture.'
Hanson argued that stricter policies would prevent social unrest linked to migration, as seen in Europe. 'There's a lot of unrest in this country and when I look at countries like Britain or Canada or Germany or France, they've got a hell of a problem over there,' she said.
One Nation Surges in Polls
On Monday, a new poll revealed One Nation has overtaken Labor to become Australia's most popular political party. The poll by Redbridge Group and Accent Research for the Australian Financial Review found primary support for One Nation increased by four points to 31 per cent compared to April. Meanwhile, Labor's primary vote fell three points to 28 per cent, and the Coalition's vote dropped two points to 20 per cent.
