LGA Population Change – Overseas Born

Overview

This report analyses 2021 Census data to highlight the growing impact of overseas-born migrants on regional population growth across Australia. It reveals that 80% of LGAs with increased overseas-born populations between 2016 and 2021 were in regional areas, with notable growth in both high-population coastal cities and remote inland communities. The Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, and Greater Geelong led in volume growth, while smaller LGAs like Roper Gulf (NT), Carrathool (NSW), and Leonora (WA) showed the highest growth rates. Tasmania emerged as a migration hotspot, with Glenorchy, Clarence, and Hobart recording significant increases.

The report categorizes regions into typologies—Regional Cities, Connected Lifestyle Areas, Industry & Service Hubs, and Heartland Regions—each showing varying levels of migrant attraction. It also notes that many regional LGAs experienced a decline in Australian-born populations, further emphasizing the role of migration in sustaining regional communities. The findings support the Regional Australia Institute’s call to increase the share of net overseas migration to regional areas to 40% by 2032.

Key Findings

Here are the key findings from the LGA Population Change – Overseas Born report:

Regional Australia leads in overseas-born population growth
80% of LGAs that saw an increase in overseas-born residents between 2016 and 2021 were in regional areas (288 out of 358 LGAs).

Gold Coast tops volume growth
The Gold Coast recorded the highest increase in overseas-born residents (+17,031), followed by the Sunshine Coast, Greater Geelong, Glenorchy, and the NSW Central Coast.

Remote LGAs show strong growth rates
Heartland regions like Roper Gulf (NT), Carrathool and Moree Plains (NSW), Leonora (WA), and Walgett (NSW) had growth rates between 32% and 52%.

Connected Lifestyle Areas are highly attractive
LGAs near metro centres, such as Kingborough and Sorell (TAS), Surf Coast and Bass Coast (VIC), showed growth rates above 20%, with Kingborough leading at 26.6%.

Regional Cities perform well
Glenorchy (TAS) had the highest growth rate among regional cities at 43.7%, followed by Clarence and Hobart (TAS), Wagga Wagga (NSW), and Palmerston (NT).

Industry & Service Hubs show moderate growth
These areas, often tied to agriculture or mining, had an average growth rate of 4.7%, with Dubbo (NSW) leading at 27.3%.

Migration offsets Australian-born population decline
Many regional LGAs saw a decline in Australian-born residents while overseas-born populations increased, highlighting migration’s role in sustaining regional communities.

Tasmania emerges as a migration hotspot
Multiple Tasmanian LGAs, including Glenorchy, Clarence, Hobart, Kingborough, and Sorell, featured prominently in both growth rate and volume.

RAI calls for increased regional migration
The Institute advocates for 40% of net overseas migration to settle in regional Australia by 2032, up from the current 17%.

Policy Recommendations

Recommendation 1
Increase regional migration targets: Support the Regional Australia Institute’s call to raise the share of net overseas migration settling in regional areas from under 17% to 40% by 2032.

Recommendation 2
Promote regional opportunities to migrants: Develop mechanisms to inform and incentivize migrants in metropolitan areas about opportunities in regional LGAs.

Recommendation 3
Support infrastructure and services in high-growth LGAs: Invest in healthcare, education, housing, and transport in regional areas experiencing strong overseas-born population growth.

Recommendation 4
Leverage migration to offset population decline: Use migration strategically to stabilize or grow populations in remote and declining LGAs.

Recommendation 5
Tailor settlement programs to diverse regional contexts: Recognize the varying attractiveness of different regional typologies (e.g., Heartland Regions, Connected Lifestyle Areas) and design targeted support accordingly.