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Australia

Overseas arrivals

7,043,735 people who were living in Australia in 2021 were born overseas, and 18% 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 Australia 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.

Australia'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
Australia - Overseas born (Usual residence)2021
Year of arrival in AustraliaNumber%Victoria %
Arrived in 1960 or earlier344,5054.95.7
1961 to 1970558,6447.98.1
1971 to 1980545,1557.77.0
1981 to 1990787,90311.210.3
1991 to 2000793,26611.310.2
2001 to 20101,557,33922.122.1
2011 to 20151,019,92314.515.0
2016 to Aug 20211,265,54818.019.4
Not stated171,4522.42.3

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, Victoria: 2.3% 2016 to Aug 2021, Victoria: 19.4% 2011 to 2015, Victoria: 15.0% 2001 to 2010, Victoria: 22.1% 1991 to 2000, Victoria: 10.2% 1981 to 1990, Victoria: 10.3% 1971 to 1980, Victoria: 7.0% 1961 to 1970, Victoria: 8.1% Arrived in 1960 or earlier, Victoria: 5.7% Not stated, Australia: 2.4% 2016 to Aug 2021, Australia: 18.0% 2011 to 2015, Australia: 14.5% 2001 to 2010, Australia: 22.1% 1991 to 2000, Australia: 11.3% 1981 to 1990, Australia: 11.2% 1971 to 1980, Australia: 7.7% 1961 to 1970, Australia: 7.9% Arrived in 1960 or earlier, Australia: 4.9%
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 Australia in 2021 compared to Victoria 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, 43.0095% of the overseas born population arrived before 2001, and 17.967% arrived during or after 2016, compared with 41.3017% and 19.3652% respectively for Victoria.

The major differences in year of arrival data in the population between Australia and Victoria are:

  • A larger percentage of arrivals between 1991 to 2000 (11.3% compared to 10.2%)
  • A larger percentage of arrivals between 1981 to 1990 (11.2% compared to 10.3%)
  • A smaller percentage of arrivals between 2016 to Aug 2021 (18.0% compared to 19.4%)
  • A smaller percentage of arrivals between Arrived in 1960 or earlier (4.9% compared to 5.7%)

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