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Last week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released monthly and quarterly data showing that net migration into Australia has rebounded and remains at historically high levels.
Data released last Tuesday showed that in the year to January 2026, 494,000 net permanent and long-term arrivals landed in Australia – the highest January month on record and the equal highest annual figure on record.
Data released last Thursday showed that in the year to September 2025, 311,000 net overseas migrants landed in Australia, up from 305,000 in the year to June 2025. The September quarter result was higher than any September quarter in Australia’s history before the pandemic.
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About the author
Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. He is also a co-founder of MacroBusiness.
Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.