{{ propApi.searchIcon }}
{{ propApi.closeIcon }}
Our industry
Our industry $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Housing industry insights Economics Insights Data & forecasts Tailored research & analysis Advocacy & policy Advocacy Policy priorities Position statements Submissions News & inspiration Industry news Member alerts Media releases HOUSING Online
Business support
Business support $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
For your business Contracts Online Safety systems & solutions Advertise jobs HIA SafeScan Member perks Toyota vehicles The Good Guys Commercial Ampol fuel savings See all Industry insurance HIA Insurance Services Construction works insurance Home warranty insurance Tradies & tool insurance Apprentices Why host a HIA apprentice? Hire an apprentice Support & guidance Contracts & compliance support Building & planning services
Resources & advice
Resources & advice $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Building it right Building codes Australian standards Getting it right on site See all Building materials & products Concrete, bricks & walls Getting products approved Use the right products for the job See all Managing your business Dealing with contracts Handling disputes Managing your employees See all Managing your safety Safety rules Working with silica See all Building your business Growing your business Communication for your business See all Other subjects Getting approval to build Sustainable homes See all
Careers & learning
Careers & learning $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
A rewarding career Become an apprentice Apprenticeships on offer How do I apply? Frequently asked questions Study with us Find a course to suit you Qualification courses Learning on demand Professional development courses A job in the industry Get your builder's licence Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Further your career Find jobs
HIA community
HIA community $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Join HIA Sign me up How do I become a member? What's in it for me? Mates rates Our podcasts Made To Build Built Different HIA Building Australia Building the Hunter Our initiatives HIA Building Women GreenSmart Kitchen, bathroom & design hub Get involved Become an award judge Join a committee Partner with us Support for you Charitable Foundation Mental health program Get to know us Our members Our people
Awards & events
Awards & events $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Awards Awards program People & Business Awards GreenSmart Australian Housing Awards Awards winners Regional Award winners Australian Housing Award winners 2025 Australian Home of the Year Enter online Industry events Events in the next month Economic outlook National Conference Events calendar
HIA shop
HIA shop $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
Most popular products National Construction Code Vol 1 & 2 Waterproofing wet areas AS 3740:2021 HIA Guide to Waterproofing HIA Guide to NCC Livable Housing Provisions Top categories Building codes & standards Contracts & documents Guides & manuals Safety products Signage For your business Contracts Online Digital Australian Standards Digital Resource Library Forecasts & data
About Contact Newsroom
$vuetify.icons.faTimes
$vuetify.icons.faMapMarker Set my location Use the field below to update your location
Address
Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.text}} {{region}} Change location
{{propApi.title}}
{{propApi.successMessage}} {{region}} Change location

$vuetify.icons.faPhone1300 650 620

Population data highlights contradiction in government policy

Media release

Population data highlights contradiction in government policy

Media release
“Australia’s population reached 27.4 million by the end of 2024, up by 445,900 people, or 1.7 per cent for the year,” stated HIA Senior Economist, Tom Devitt.

The ABS today released its National, State and Territory Population data for the December quarter 2024, covering births, deaths and migration.

“Population growth was driven by a net inflow of 340,800 overseas migrants, well above the average annual net inflow of around 220,000 overseas arrivals last decade,” added Mr Devitt.

“Within Australia, people are continuing to leave New South Wales, and to a lesser extent Victoria and the smallest jurisdictions, and head into Queensland and Western Australia.

“But even the jurisdictions losing residents interstate are absorbing enough overseas arrivals to see their populations expand.

“Victoria just passed 7 million residents at the end of last year, while Western Australia passed 3 million for the first time.

“Perversely, at the same time that the Australian government is stimulating demand for homes through strong migration, state governments are actively undermining the capacity to increase supply. 

“Foreign capital is highly liquid. State governments have forced institutional investors into building apartments in other countries. As a consequence, multi-unit construction volumes in Australia have halved, likely costing state governments tax revenue.

“Stimulating housing demand at a federal level through record inflows of overseas arrivals, while simultaneously penalising those who finance housing supply at a state level, has been one of the worst policy own goals in recent Australian history.

“The Government has not balanced the goal of stable and reliable migration pathways with the removal of restrictions on new home building necessary to meet demand,” concluded Mr Devitt

Across the different states and territories, Western Australia saw the strongest annual growth in population, up by 2.4 per cent, followed by Victoria and Queensland (+1.9 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (+1.4 per cent), New South Wales (+1.3 per cent), the Northern Territory (+1.2 per cent), South Australia (+1.1 per cent) and Tasmania (+0.3 per cent).

For more information please contact:

Thomas Devitt

Senior Economist

Tim Reardon

HIA Chief Economist
Latest articles
View all news $vuetify.icons.faArrowRight
04 Dec
Federal Government confirms funding for Territory apprentices during visit to Darwin

“The Housing Industry Association (HIA) is pleased to welcome Minister Andrew Giles to the HIA NT Skills Centre in Darwin, providing an opportunity to showcase the Northern Territory’s training pipeline and discuss the continued challenges facing the local residential building industry,” HIA Executive Director Northern Territory, Luis Espinoza, said today.

03 Dec
Housing Australia launches Round 3 funding

The Federal Government, through Housing Australia, has announced a third round of funding, in support of its commitment to the building of 1.2 million homes over the next 5 years.

03 Dec
Christmas Comes Early for Housing: HIA Backs Premier’s Action Agenda

The Housing Industry Association (HIA) today welcomed Premier Rockliff’s announcement of the Tasmanian Government’s next 100-day plan, which commits a suite of housing and planning reforms to fast-track new homes and cut red tape.

02 Dec
Key changes under the QBCC Bill

The Queensland Government recently announced the next phase of the ‘Building Reg Reno’ reforms, including various changes under the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025.