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Queensland

Overseas arrivals

1,170,320 people who were living in Queensland in 2021 were born overseas, and 17% arrived in Australia within 5 years prior to 2021.

The Year of Arrival data records when the overseas born population arrived in Australia. The data shows the degree to which areas are 'ports' for new overseas arrivals and reveals the role of Queensland in housing the overseas-born. The number of recent overseas arrivals in an area is often determined by housing affordability, employment opportunities and pre-existing communities located in the area.

Queensland's Year of Arrival data, when used with Birthplace, Religion and Language Spoken at Home data, is a good indicator of the likely need for services in migrant communities.

Derived from the Census question:

'In what year did the person first arrive in Australia to live here for one year or more?'

Overseas born population

Overseas arrivals
Queensland - Overseas born (Usual residence)2021
Year of arrival in AustraliaNumber%Australian Capital Territory %
Arrived in 1960 or earlier49,7394.34.6
1961 to 197078,7306.77.2
1971 to 198091,3947.87.3
1981 to 1990131,21511.29.5
1991 to 2000133,70311.410.0
2001 to 2010290,64224.821.6
2011 to 2015168,16814.416.9
2016 to Aug 2021196,34116.820.9
Not stated30,3882.61.9

Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing 2021. Compiled and presented by .id (informed decisions).

Overseas arrivals, 2021
Overseas arrivals, 2021 Not stated, Australian Capital Territory: 1.9% 2016 to Aug 2021, Australian Capital Territory: 20.9% 2011 to 2015, Australian Capital Territory: 16.9% 2001 to 2010, Australian Capital Territory: 21.6% 1991 to 2000, Australian Capital Territory: 10.0% 1981 to 1990, Australian Capital Territory: 9.5% 1971 to 1980, Australian Capital Territory: 7.3% 1961 to 1970, Australian Capital Territory: 7.2% Arrived in 1960 or earlier, Australian Capital Territory: 4.6% Not stated, Queensland: 2.6% 2016 to Aug 2021, Queensland: 16.8% 2011 to 2015, Queensland: 14.4% 2001 to 2010, Queensland: 24.8% 1991 to 2000, Queensland: 11.4% 1981 to 1990, Queensland: 11.2% 1971 to 1980, Queensland: 7.8% 1961 to 1970, Queensland: 6.7% Arrived in 1960 or earlier, Queensland: 4.3%
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Census of Population and Housing, 2021 (Usual residence data)
Compiled and presented in profile.id by .id (informed decisions).

Dominant groups

Analysis of the year of arrival for the overseas born population of Queensland in 2021 compared to Australian Capital Territory shows that there was a larger proportion of people who arrived before 2001, and a smaller proportion of recent overseas arrivals (those who arrived between 2016 to Aug 2021).

Overall, 41.4229% of the overseas born population arrived before 2001, and 16.7767% arrived during or after 2016, compared with 38.632% and 20.9205% respectively for Australian Capital Territory.

The major differences in year of arrival data in the population between Queensland and Australian Capital Territory are:

  • A larger percentage of arrivals between 2001 to 2010 (24.8% compared to 21.6%)
  • A larger percentage of arrivals between 1981 to 1990 (11.2% compared to 9.5%)
  • A smaller percentage of arrivals between 2016 to Aug 2021 (16.8% compared to 20.9%)
  • A smaller percentage of arrivals between 2011 to 2015 (14.4% compared to 16.9%)

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