Recent arrivals from overseas

At the 2021 Census, Recent arrivals from overseas across Australia was 14.5%. It is expressed as a percentage of the relevant group.

Share of overseas-born residents who arrived in Australia in the five years before the census. It is calculated as a percentage of the relevant population or dwellings, so it can be compared fairly between large and small areas.

Across the 2,355 SA2 areas with data, Recent arrivals from overseas ranges from 0.0% to 100.0%, with a typical (median) area at 10.7%. Most areas cluster toward the lower end, with a smaller number of much higher areas stretching the range.

Yes — Recent arrivals from overseas is measured consistently enough to compare across the 2011, 2016 and 2021 Censuses, so the trend over time is meaningful. Nationally it has fallen from 19.1% in 2011 to 14.5% in 2021.

Use the interactive map to compare Recent arrivals from overseas down to block (sa1) and statistical area 2 (sa2) level, or search any suburb, postcode or council area to see its value in context against state and national figures.