Australia has officially reached a population of 28 million, marking a significant demographic milestone for the nation.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), the Australian Population Clock recorded the figure at 5:52am AEST on Tuesday. The estimate is based on ongoing calculations of births, deaths and migration across the country.
Migration remains the main driver of population growth, with the ABS estimating that a new resident arrives in Australia every 59 seconds.
Overall, the population increases by one person every 75 seconds.
The figures also show that Australia records a birth every two minutes and 16 seconds, while a death occurs every three minutes and 33 seconds.
Over the past 12 months, Australia’s population has grown by almost 500,000 people. The ABS estimates the population increased from 27.59 million in 2025 to 28.09 million in 2026, representing growth of 491,743 people.
The latest data highlights changing demographic trends, with the average Australian now aged 39.7 years. Women continue to slightly outnumber men, making up around 50.9 per cent of the population.
Population growth is expected to continue in the coming years. Based on current trends, the ABS projects Australia’s population will reach 29 million in 2028 and exceed 30 million by 2031.