Overseas migration added 446,000 people to Australia's population in the 2023-24 financial year, compared to 536,000 people in 2022-2023, according to data released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

Jenny Dobak, ABS head of migration statistics, said: “This fall represents the first annual drop in net overseas migration since Australia’s borders re-opened in 2021-22.

“Migrant arrivals fell by 10 per cent compared to 2022-23, while migrant departures rose by 8 per cent.

“This change in net overseas migration is led by a decrease in migrant arrivals, largely temporary visa holders, while departures increased during the same period. It follows a period of multiple record increases in net overseas migration consistent with a catchup in arrivals following almost two years of border restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

In 2023-24, there were 667,000 migrant arrivals to Australia. Almost three in four arrivals were on temporary visas (465,000). Just under half of temporary visa holders arriving were international students (207,000).

The number of migrant departures in 2023-24 rose to 221,000 people, up from 204,000 the year before.

“We are seeing some temporary visa holders starting to leave after having arrived as part of the large rise in arrivals seen after borders reopened. For example, migrant departures on temporary student visas doubled in 2023-24 compared to the year before,” Ms Dobak said.

The top five countries of birth for overseas migrants in 2023-24 were India, China, Australia, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

The median age of migrant arrivals was 27, and for migrant departures, it was 31.