The real driver of Australian population growth
With the number of local births on the decline, Australia is increasingly looking to other sources to meet ongoing labour demands
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Australia’s population grew by 2.5 percent to 26.8 million people over the 12 months ending 30 September, according to new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). This was an annual increase of 659,800 people, with migrants making up 83 percent of the increase at 548,800. Natural increase, which is births minus deaths, contributed to a net gain of 111,000 people.
Natural increase was 3.9 percent lower than the same period in 2022, reflecting a trend in Australian women having fewer babies. Migration was 60.3 percent higher than the same period in 2022, however the data from this period was impacted by the border closure until February 2022. Most migrants arriving in the 12 months to 30 September 2023 were international students and workers on temporary visas. The overwhelming majority of migrants are coming from India, China, and the Philippines. Of the 548,800 net migrants that relocated here over the 12 months, 34 percent settled in New South Wales, 29.5 percent settled in Victoria and 16 percent settled in Queensland.
Western Australia had the fastest population growth rate, up 3.3 percent, followed by Victoria at 2.9 percent, Queensland 2.7 percent, New South Wales 2.3 percent, Australian Capital Territory 2.1 percent and South Australia 1.7 percent. The lowest growth was in Tasmania at 0.3 percent.
Drivers of Western Australia’s highest population growth rate since 2009 include record employment and a booming economy. The state government upgraded its state final demand forecasts for FY24 from 3 percent to 4.5 percent in December.
While the biggest contributor to the state’s population growth is international migration, Professor Amanda Davies, Head of Social Sciences at the University of Western Australia, comments that strong interstate migration is resulting from “‘push’ factors operating in major east coast states, and in particular high costs of living and housing.” Strong buyer demand has pushed the Perth median house price up 18.6 percent, which is the strongest annual rate of growth anywhere in Australia.
The Perth median house price is $718,560, according to CoreLogic. Real Estate Institute of Western Australia CEO Cath Hart commented: “We can expect to see house prices and rents continue to rise, homes to sell and lease quickly, and the rental vacancy rate to remain low for some time yet.”
The ABS also tracks interstate migration, which is the movement of Australian residents between states and territories. Over the 12 months to 30 September, Queensland had the highest rate of net interstate migration at 32,625 people, followed by Western Australia with 11,233.
The state that lost the most residents was New South Wales, with a net 33,302 people moving elsewhere and the bulk of them departing Sydney. This net outflow is much higher than other parts of Australia. The second highest loss through interstate migration was in the Northern Territory with 3,606. Victoria lost just 1,119 people. NSW Productivity Commissioner Peter Achterstraat AM recently warned that Sydney is losing many residents aged in their 30s and 40s due to unaffordable property values. He says Sydney “could become known as the city with no grandchildren”.
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Mount French Lodge offers a rare mix of privacy, scale and hospitality potential as demand grows for prestige estates beyond beachside hotspots.
2 min
Mount French Lodge, one of the most remarkable private estates in Queensland’s Scenic Rim, has been brought to market, offering a glimpse into the growing appetite for high-end lifestyle properties beyond the state’s traditional beachside enclaves.
Located in the tiny locality of Charlwood, around 100km inland from Brisbane and home to just 146 residents at the 2021 Census, the estate stands in stark contrast to its quiet surroundings. Set across nearly 100 acres and positioned some 600 feet above sea level, the property occupies a commanding vantage point beneath the escarpments of Mount French.
It’s this combination of elevation, scale and seclusion that defines the estate, not just as a private residence, but as an experience-led destination. Mount French Lodge has been recognised in both the 2024 and 2025 Best of Queensland Experiences, reflecting a broader shift towards luxury rural retreats that blur the line between home, hospitality and investment.
Last sold for $3.65 million in 2021 to Brisbane-based entrepreneur Tim Woodhouse, the estate has since evolved into a multifaceted holding. At its core is a central lodge, complemented by guest accommodation, entertaining spaces and resort-style amenities spread across two distinct plateaus.
In total, the property comprises 12 bedrooms configured across eight self-contained apartments within multiple lodges. At its heart is the Great Room, a central gathering space anchored by a large living area and fireplace. Nearby, a fully equipped outdoor pavilion with barbecue facilities sits alongside the estate’s swimming pool.
The property is being marketed as a private compound, ranch, corporate retreat and a wedding venue, highlighting its potential as a lifestyle asset with income-generating capability. This kind of flexibility is increasingly resonating with buyers, particularly as demand grows for properties that can serve as multigenerational homes, wellness retreats or boutique accommodation offerings.
Despite its sense of isolation, Mount French Lodge remains within relatively easy reach of Brisbane, around an hour by road or just minutes by helicopter. That balance of accessibility and privacy underscores the broader appeal of the Scenic Rim, which continues to emerge as a quiet achiever in Queensland’s prestige property market.
The listing is being handled by Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty agents Sandy Davies and Nicholas Miranda, and is expected to attract interest from both domestic and international buyers.
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