Australia's population grew by 306,000 people through overseas migration in the 2024-25 financial year, according to data by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
However, net overseas migration fell for the second year in a row, dropping by 124,000 people from the 538,000 peak recorded in 2022-23.
Jenny Dobak, ABS head of migration statistics, said the decline was driven by a 14% decrease in migrant arrivals—particularly among temporary visa holders—and a 13% rise in migrant departures.
"While net overseas migration has yet to return to pre-pandemic levels, this year’s figures are the closest to pre-COVID-19 numbers since the peak in the September quarter of 2023," she added.
There were 568,000 migrant arrivals in 2024-25, with almost two-thirds on temporary visas.
Nearly half of these temporary visa holders were international students, numbering 157,000.
Departures rose to 263,000, up from 232,000 the previous year, with working holiday visa holders contributing the largest increase.
"Temporary visa holders continue to leave after arriving during the period of high migration following border reopenings in early 2022," Dobak said.
The top five countries of birth contributing to migration were China, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Migration from India and China fell compared with 2023-24, while migration from the UK and New Zealand increased.
In 2024-25, there was a net loss of 17,000 Australian-born people, consistent with pre-pandemic trends. The median age of migrant arrivals was 26, while departures averaged 30 years.
Slightly more females than males arrived (4,840 more), while more males than females departed (2,560 more), reflecting sex ratios of 98 and 102, respectively.