Australia's population has risen past 28 million for the first time, driven largely by overseas migration, new figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) show.

The population grew by 412,500 people in the year to 31 December 2025.

Net overseas migration (NOM) accounted for 301,000 of the increase, nearly three quarters of the total. Natural increase contributed the remaining 111,500.

The NOM figure was about 9 per cent lower than the previous year, down more than 45 per cent from the post-Covid peak in 2023.

But the overall trend remains historically high, with the data showing migration has stayed above 300,000 for 14 consecutive quarters, more than three-and-a-half years, and has largely stabilised within a tight range. 

Over the past four quarters, annual NOM recorded 309,000, 302,000, 309,000 and 301,000.

NOM for the first half of the 2025-26 financial year sits at 145,000, less than half the full-year Budget forecast of 295,000.

The decline has been driven by changes across several visa categories, with NOM from temporary visa holders falling 10 per cent over the year.

International student migration also dropped 10 per cent, returning to pre-pandemic levels. Visitor migration continues to fall as tighter rules reduce visa hopping.

At the same time, departures of working holiday makers have increased as those who arrived after borders reopened following Covid begin to leave. 

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said on Thursday that the figures show the government's approach is working.

'As [the] data shows, we are bringing migration down with a sensible, measured approach to provide the skilled workers Australia needs, while addressing exploitation and rorts,' he said.

'The numbers of temporary visa holders and international students also continue to fall, as we prioritise the skills that we need to care for our sick and elderly and build homes.'

But the opposition argues migration remains too high and continues to put pressure on housing and infrastructure.

Shadow Immigration Minister Senator Jonno Duniam said the data undermines the government's claims. 

'Labor keeps trying to tell Australians that the migration numbers are coming down, but the latest ABS figures again portray a very different story,' he said.

'A NOM figure of 301,000 is still far too high – particularly at a time when Australians are struggling to find a home, rents remain under extreme pressure and public infrastructure and services are badly stretched.'

Duniam said the figures point to a sustained trend rather than a temporary surge.

'This is not a one-off number. Net overseas migration has now remained above 300,000 for 14 straight quarters – in other words, for three-and-a-half years,' he said.

The senator also rejected the government's focus on declines from the 2023 peak.

'Labor cannot keep pretending that things are on the right path, particularly by citing the ridiculous statistic that they've brought the numbers down by around 45 per cent from the unprecedented peaks on their watch in 2023,' he said.

'The truth is that migration remains at levels never seen under the former Coalition government, and that these elevated levels have now been sustained for 14 straight quarters.'