Australia’s Capital Cities Gain 373,000 Overseas Migrants Amid Housing and Infrastructure Strain

Migration boom keeps Sydney and Melbourne growing despite local exodus.

An aerial view of completed housing in a recently developed estate in Clyde North in the federal seat of Holt in Melbourne's south-east in Australia on March 26, 2025. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Despite slowing migration, Australia’s capital cities welcomed 373,000 international migrants in the year ending June 2024, underscoring ongoing strain on housing, infrastructure, and services.

Both Sydney and Melbourne received the largest share of overseas migrants by far with the Harbour City receiving 120,886 people, and Victoria’s capital welcoming 121,240.