A media release from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) last September (2008) reported:

'Net overseas migration to Australia highest on record: ABS'

"Australia's net overseas migration is at an all time high, according to figures released today from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). In the year ended March 2008, net overseas migration to Australia of just under 200,000 people accounted for over half (59%) of Australia's population increase."

* "In March 2008 Australia's population reached 21,283,000 - an increase of 1.6% (336,800 people) from the previous year."

* "Natural increase (the excess of births over deaths) contributed 137,700 people (or 41%)."

As at 31 March 2008, Australia's resident population was as follows:

NSW.......6,947,000
VIC.........5,274,000
QLD........4,253,000
WA.........2,149,000
SA..........1,598,000
TAS...........497,300
ACT...........342,700
NT.............218,400.