Foreign-born population of Australia in the context of "Immigration to Australia"

Immigration to Australia is, as in much of the Western world, a relatively recent phenomenon that has become a defining factor in shaping the nation's demographics and cultural identity. As of 30 June 2024, the latest data available, approximately 31.5% of Australia's residents were born overseas, amounting to about 8.6 million people out of an estimated total population of 27.2 million. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, this represents the highest proportion of foreign-born residents recorded since 1892. Today, Australia ranks among the countries with the largest share of foreign-born inhabitants globally, reflecting both its modern immigration policies and its status as a major destination for migrants within the Asia-Pacific region.

The Australian continent was first settled when ancestors of Indigenous Australians arrived via the islands of Maritime Southeast Asia and New Guinea over 50,000 years ago.