Surprising results in Australian international settlement patterns
< 1 min
Sun, sand and surf are the number one attraction for international arrivals, with some areas attracting more interest with some groups than others.
Last year’s census results from the ABS reveal people from the Americas, such as the US, Canada and Brazil, prefer Sydney’s Northern Beaches while Irish and French arrivals are more likely to be found around the eastern suburbs.
In Sydney’s west, the ABS reveals 45 percent of people in Harris Park were born in India, while Cabramatta is still home to Australia’s highest number of Vietnamese-born residents.
Beyond the Emerald City, the Gold Coast has proven popular with New Zealanders whereas Dallas in outer Melbourne is the suburb of choice for a higher proportion of people born in Turkey.
Perth is proving popular with Brits, with many choosing the beachside suburb of Mindarie while more Scots are calling the suburb of Kinross home. And you’re more likely to find people born in Zimbabwe In the outer Perth suburb of Wellard.
Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee, says the results are revealing.
“It’s a fascinating look at the diverse demographics of Australia,” she says. “While most new arrivals to Australia come to Sydney first, it’s not then possible to easily find out where they decide to settle. The Census provides us with a deeper understanding into settlement patterns around the country.”
As Australia’s family offices expand their presence in private credit, a growing number of commercial real estate debt (CRED) managers are turning to them as flexible, strategic funding partners.
Knight Frank’s latest Horizon 2025 update signals renewed confidence in Australian commercial real estate, with signs of recovery accelerating across cities and sectors.
Soneva’s groundbreaking Coral Restoration Program in the Maldives has been endorsed by the United Nations and listed on UNESCO’s Ocean Decade platform, recognising it as a global model for reef regeneration and sustainable marine science.
2 min
In a landmark moment for marine conservation, the Soneva Foundation’s Coral Restoration Program has received official endorsement from the United Nations and been listed on the UNESCO Ocean Decade website — an international recognition of its pioneering work in large-scale reef restoration.
Based in the Maldives and operating from Soneva Fushi’s AquaTerra science centre, the program is now the region’s largest coral restoration facility. Combining advanced marine biology with local collaboration, it has redefined how the tourism sector can contribute meaningfully to ocean health.
What sets the program apart is its blend of innovation and scale. The facility includes a Coral Spawning and Rearing Lab—Maldives’ first of its kind—replicating natural reef conditions to stimulate coral reproduction. Thirty micro-fragmentation tanks further accelerate coral growth, enabling up to 150,000 coral fragments to be produced and replanted on damaged reefs each year.
Since launching in 2022, Soneva’s coral team has relocated more than 31,000 coral colonies and fragments from threatened areas, establishing a thriving coral hub in the Indian Ocean.
he initiative is managed by Soneva Conservation, a Maldivian NGO set up by the Soneva Foundation, and forms part of the group’s broader sustainability strategy.
“This milestone is a testament to the scientific rigour and community-driven ethos at the heart of our work,” Dr Johanna Leonhardt, Soneva’s Coral Project Manager, said. “It validates the potential of hospitality to lead ocean regeneration at scale.”
Beyond science, the program engages governments, NGOs, research institutions and the wider tourism industry—demonstrating how cross-sector partnerships can drive real environmental impact.
The UN recognition now positions the project as a beacon for similar initiatives globally, reinforcing the Maldives’ role as both a luxury destination and a marine conservation leader.
The Soneva Foundation’s wider environmental efforts include carbon mitigation projects, reforestation, and waste-to-wealth innovation. As part of the Pallion group, Soneva continues to redefine what it means to be a responsible luxury brand.
Instagram may be full of dreamy interiors, but architect Georgina Wilson says what works on social media doesn’t always translate to real life. As one of Australia’s most-followed architects, Wilson has seen first-hand how influencer-led design shapes—and sometimes sabotages—our homes. From impractical layouts to fast-fashion finishes, here are five biggest myths she’s busting. 1. Form …
The museum is taking the lead on re-evaluating its art and artifacts to determine where these works came from in the first place.
