🌏 Foreign-Born Population in Australia by Country of Birth (1850–2026)
Australia is one of the world’s most immigration-defined nations. From its colonial beginnings in the 19th century to its modern multicultural identity, the country’s population growth has been shaped overwhelmingly by people born overseas. Between 1850 and 2026, Australia transformed from a British settler colony into one of the most diverse societies on Earth.
This article explores the foreign-born population of Australia by country of birth, tracing major migration waves, demographic shifts, and the countries that shaped Australian society over nearly two centuries.
🇦🇺 Australia Before Mass Migration (1850–1900)
British and Irish Dominance
In the mid-19th century, Australia’s foreign-born population was overwhelmingly British and Irish. Migration was driven by:
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Penal transportation (ending in 1868)
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Gold rushes (1850s–1860s)
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Colonial settlement policies
By 1861, around 25% of Australia’s population was born overseas, with origins mainly from:
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England
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Ireland
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Scotland
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Wales
Small numbers also arrived from China, particularly during the gold rush era, making Chinese migrants one of the earliest non-European communities in Australia.
⚓ Federation and Restriction (1901–1945)
The White Australia Policy Era
After federation in 1901, Australia introduced immigration laws designed to limit non-European migration. As a result:
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The foreign-born population declined proportionally
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British and Irish migrants remained dominant
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Southern and Eastern European migration was minimal
By 1947, only about 10% of Australians were born overseas, one of the lowest figures in modern history.
Top countries of birth during this period:
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United Kingdom
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Ireland
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New Zealand
🧱 Post-War Migration Boom (1945–1970)
“Populate or Perish”
After World War II, Australia launched one of the most ambitious migration programs in history. The goal was rapid population growth and economic development.
Between 1945 and 1970, over 3 million migrants arrived.
Major Source Countries:
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United Kingdom (largest contributor)
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Italy
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Greece
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Germany
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Netherlands
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Yugoslavia
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Poland
This era dramatically reshaped Australia’s cultural landscape, introducing Mediterranean food, language, religion, and urban communities.
By 1971, nearly 21% of Australians were foreign-born.
🌍 Multicultural Shift (1970–1990)
End of the White Australia Policy
In the early 1970s, Australia officially dismantled racially based immigration restrictions. This led to a profound demographic shift.
New Source Regions:
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Southeast Asia
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East Asia
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Middle East
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Latin America
Significant arrivals included:
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Vietnamese refugees after the Vietnam War
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Lebanese migrants during civil conflict
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Chinese students and skilled migrants
By 1991, Australia’s overseas-born population reached around 23%.
📈 Global Immigration Era (1990–2010)
Skilled Migration and Globalisation
From the 1990s onward, Australia adopted a points-based skilled migration system, focusing on education, language skills, and employment needs.
Top Countries of Birth (circa 2000–2010):
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United Kingdom
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New Zealand
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China
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Italy
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Vietnam
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India
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Philippines
During this period:
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Asian-born migrants grew rapidly
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European-born populations began aging and declining proportionally
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International students increasingly became permanent residents
By 2011, nearly 26% of Australians were born overseas.
🌐 Modern Australia (2010–2026)
One of the World’s Most Diverse Populations
By the 2020s, Australia had one of the highest proportions of foreign-born residents in the world among developed nations.
Top Countries of Birth (Approx. 2026):
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England
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India
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China
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New Zealand
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Philippines
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Vietnam
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South Africa
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Malaysia
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Nepal
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Italy
India and China became the fastest-growing sources, driven by:
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Skilled migration
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Education pathways
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Family reunification
By 2026, around 30–31% of Australia’s population was foreign-born.
🗺️ Foreign-Born Population by Region (2026 Estimate)
| Region | Share of Overseas-Born |
|---|---|
| Europe | ~30% |
| Asia | ~40% |
| Oceania | ~10% |
| Africa | ~10% |
| Americas | ~10% |
Asia overtook Europe as the dominant region of origin in the early 21st century.
🧠 Fun Facts & Trivia
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🇬🇧 The United Kingdom has been Australia’s top source country for over 150 years
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🇮🇹 Italian was once the second most spoken language in Australia
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🇨🇳 China became a top migration source twice: during the gold rushes and again in the 21st century
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🇮🇳 India surpassed England as the largest source of new migrants in some recent years
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Australia has a higher foreign-born share than the United States
🤔 Did You Know?
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More than 300 languages are spoken in Australian homes
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Melbourne and Sydney rank among the world’s most multicultural cities
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Post-war migrants built much of Australia’s infrastructure
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Refugee migration has played a major role in Australia’s humanitarian intake
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One in two Australians has at least one parent born overseas
📊 Long-Term Trends (1850–2026)
| Period | Key Migration Pattern |
|---|---|
| 1850–1900 | British & Irish dominance |
| 1901–1945 | Restricted migration |
| 1945–1970 | European mass migration |
| 1970–1990 | Asian & refugee migration |
| 1990–2010 | Skilled global migration |
| 2010–2026 | Asian-led diversification |
📝 Conclusion
From a British colonial outpost to a truly global nation, Australia’s foreign-born population tells the story of economic need, political change, and human mobility. Between 1850 and 2026, immigration shaped not just population growth, but national identity itself.
Today, Australia stands as one of the world’s most successful multicultural societies — a nation built by generations of migrants from every corner of the globe.
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🌏 Foreign-Born Population in Australia
Country by Country Table (1850–2026)
Numbers are rounded estimates based on historical censuses and demographic research. Early data reflects dominant migration flows rather than exact census precision.
🇦🇺 Foreign-Born Population by Country of Birth
| Country of Birth | 1901 | 1954 | 1971 | 1991 | 2011 | 2026 (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 495,000 | 720,000 | 1,080,000 | 1,120,000 | 1,100,000 | 950,000 |
| Ireland | 180,000 | 150,000 | 90,000 | 65,000 | 70,000 | 75,000 |
| Italy | 6,000 | 120,000 | 290,000 | 250,000 | 185,000 | 170,000 |
| Greece | 1,000 | 77,000 | 160,000 | 120,000 | 90,000 | 85,000 |
| Germany | 4,000 | 110,000 | 150,000 | 115,000 | 105,000 | 100,000 |
| New Zealand | 50,000 | 60,000 | 170,000 | 300,000 | 530,000 | 620,000 |
| China | 30,000 | 12,000 | 20,000 | 140,000 | 390,000 | 670,000 |
| India | 3,000 | 5,000 | 25,000 | 120,000 | 350,000 | 780,000 |
| Vietnam | – | – | 1,000 | 150,000 | 230,000 | 260,000 |
| Philippines | – | – | 5,000 | 95,000 | 230,000 | 320,000 |
| South Africa | – | – | 10,000 | 80,000 | 145,000 | 210,000 |
| Malaysia | – | – | 15,000 | 90,000 | 155,000 | 190,000 |
| Nepal | – | – | – | 5,000 | 90,000 | 170,000 |
📈 Foreign-Born Population Growth Chart (1850–2026)
Share of Australia’s Total Population Born Overseas
| Year | % Foreign-Born |
|---|---|
| 1850 | ~23% |
| 1901 | ~25% |
| 1947 | ~10% |
| 1971 | ~21% |
| 1991 | ~23% |
| 2011 | ~26% |
| 2021 | ~29% |
| 2026 | ~31% |
📊 Growth Chart Interpretation
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1850–1901: High share due to colonial settlement
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1901–1945: Sharp decline (White Australia Policy)
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1945–1970: Explosive growth (European migration)
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1970–1990: Stabilisation + Asian entry
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1990–2026: Strong upward trend led by Asia
🧠 Key Growth Insights (Perfect for Infographic Callouts)
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🇬🇧 UK dominance lasted over 150 years
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🇮🇳 India became the largest source of new migrants after 2015
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🇨🇳 China rose twice: Gold Rush era + modern skilled migration
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🌏 Asia overtook Europe as the top origin region in the 2000s
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👶 1 in 2 Australians now has a parent born overseas
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