The Australian Bureau of Statistics reported on September 17 that Australia’s population was 27,921,150 at March 31, 2026. It increased by 130,887 people, or 0.5%, during the quarter and by 392,700, or 1.4%, over the year. Net overseas migration accounted for 292,100 of the annual increase, while natural increase contributed 100,600.

Natural increase in the March quarter was 29,900 people, up 7,900 from the previous quarter. Net overseas migration was 101,000, an increase of 44,900 quarter on quarter. The ABS said every state and territory recorded population growth over the year; Western Australia grew fastest at 2.1%, while Tasmania grew slowest at 0.6%. These estimates track resident population and its birth, death and migration components; they are not a short-term census count or a migration policy target.