Chart and table of population level and growth rate for the Melbourne, Australia metro area from 1950 to 2025.

This dataset provides population forecasts by single year for 2023 to 2043. Prepared by SGS Economics and Planning (Feb-Sep 2024), forecasts are available for the municipality and small areas, as well as by gender and 5 year age groups.

Further information can be found on our City Forecasts page.

Related datasets are also available on Open Data.

The value of commercial building activity in Australia was forecasted to amount to around 43.2 billion Australian dollars in the 2025 fiscal year. This was around the same as the commercial building activity value as of fiscal year 2019, which reached over 43.3 billion Australian dollars.

Commercial building activity boom

The short-term increase in commercial building activity was attributable to strong employment and population growth. Buildings such as shops, hospitals, cafes, restaurants, schools, and offices have been required to fill the needs of the increasing Australian population. In addition, warehouses, factories, and wholesale distribution facilities have been required to further support this growth. In the tourism sector, there has been a need for more accommodation options in the major tourist destinations in the country.

Office space demand

In the office segment, the nation’s larger cities such as Melbourne and Sydney have remained competitive with some of the lowest vacancy rates in the world. In Sydney, the recent COVID-19 outbreak seemed to have led to a decline in office leasing enquiries, and therefore an increase in the vacancy rate in 2020. The same trend was seen in the prime office vacancy rate in Melbourne. It is yet to be seen if the office space demand will return to pre-pandemic levels in the near future.

Humans have been living on the continent of Australia (name derived from "Terra Australis"; Latin for "the southern land") for approximately 65,000 years, however population growth was relatively slow until the nineteenth century. Europeans had made some contact with Australia as early as 1606, however there was no significant attempt at settlement until the late eighteenth century. By 1800, the population of Australia was approximately 350,000 people, and the majority of these were Indigenous Australians. As colonization progressed the number of ethnic Europeans increased while the Australian Aboriginal population was decimated through conflict, smallpox and other diseases, with some communities being exterminated completely, such as Aboriginal Tasmanians. Mass migration from Britain and China After the loss of its American colonies in the 1780s, the British Empire looked to other parts of the globe to expand its sphere of influence. In Australia, the first colonies were established in Sydney, Tasmania and Western Australia. Many of these were penal colonies which became home to approximately 164,000 British and Irish convicts who were transported to Australia between 1788 and 1868. As the decades progressed, expansion into the interior intensified, and the entire country was claimed by Britain in 1826. Inland colonization led to further conflict between European settlers and indigenous Australians, which cost the lives of thousands of natives. Inward expansion also saw the discovery of many natural resources, and most notably led to the gold rushes of the 1850s, which attracted substantial numbers of Chinese migrants to Australia. This mass migration from non-European countries eventually led to some restrictive policies being introduced, culminating with the White Australia Policy of 1901, which cemented ethnic-European dominance in Australian politics and society. These policies were not retracted until the second half of the 1900s. Independent Australia Australia changed its status to a British dominion in 1901, and eventually became independent in 1931. Despite this, Australia has remained a part of the British Commonwealth, and Australian forces (ANZAC) fought with the British and their Allies in both World Wars, and were instrumental in campaigns such as Gallipoli in WWI, and the South West Pacific Theater in WWII. The aftermath of both wars had a significant impact on the Australian population, with approximately 90 thousand deaths in both world wars combined, as well as 15 thousand deaths as a result of the Spanish flu pandemic following WWI, although Australia experienced a significant baby boom following the Second World War. In the past fifty years, Australia has promoted immigration from all over the world, and now has one of the strongest economies and highest living standards in the world, with a population that has grown to over 25 million people in 2020.

This dataset contains National Regional Profile (NRP) data on Population and People at GCCSA level for 2010-2014. The data uses 2011 ABS ASGS boundaries. The NRP is designed for users interested in the socio-economic and environmental characteristics of regions - and in comparisons with similar geographies across Australia. Data are arranged under the broad themes/topics of Economy, Industry, People, and Energy and Environment. Please note some data are not available for all reference years, for a variety of reasons. For example; there may be conceptual breaks in a data series; the collection frequency may be irregular; some series may have revisions pending; or permission to publish in the NRP may have only been granted recently. In addition, some data series are not available for the full range of geographies. The reasons can include: data owner or custodian preferences; industry identification with a few, particular geographies only; confidentiality protection; and the presence of many suppressed data cells (at smaller geographic levels) thus making true aggregations up to larger ASGS regions difficult. This data is ABS data used with permission from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Please note National Regional Profile (1379.0.55.001) has been discontinued. For the most recent regional data, please see Data By Region (1410.0). For more information please visit the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

This dataset presents projected population following the three projection series - the main projection, a high and a low projection series for 5-year periods between the years of 2011 and 2036 for the state of New South Wales (NSW). The data is presented as aggregations following the Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS) 2016 Local Government Areas (LGA). The various projection series show the impact on the NSW population when the assumed levels of births, deaths and migration are changed. Population projections provide a picture of the population as it may develop in future years. They provide an indication of the size and age-sex structure of the future population if specified assumptions about future fertility, mortality and migration are realised. Population projections are not forecasts and do not attempt to predict the impact that future government policies, changing economic circumstances or other factors (whether in Australia or overseas) might have on demographic behaviour. For more information please read the Population Projections User Guide.Please note: AURIN has spatially enabled the original data.

This dataset contains counts of the total usual resident population and total dwelling count from the 2016 Census of Population and Housing for Mesh Blocks, aggregated to Statistical Area Level 4 (SA4) for the AURIN Portal. Data is current for Census Night 9 August 2016 and describes geographic Australia; including Norfolk Island, the Territory of Christmas Island and the Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands, but does not include any other external Territory. For more information, refer to the Australian Bureau of Statistics' Census of Population and Housing: Mesh Block Counts, Australia, 2016.

The Australian senior living market, valued at $6.03 billion in 2025, is experiencing robust growth, projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.17% from 2025 to 2033. This significant expansion is driven by several key factors. The aging Australian population, with a rising proportion of individuals aged 65 and over requiring assisted living arrangements, is a primary driver. Increased disposable incomes among older Australians and a growing preference for high-quality, amenity-rich retirement communities further fuel market demand. Government initiatives aimed at supporting aged care and improving access to senior living facilities also contribute to market growth. The market is segmented by property type (Assisted Living, Independent Living, Memory Care, Nursing Care) and location, with significant demand across major cities like Melbourne, Perth, and regional areas such as the Sunshine Coast and Hobart. Competition is intense, with established players like Aveo, RSL LifeCare, and Stockland vying for market share alongside smaller, specialized operators. The market's future trajectory is influenced by several trends. The increasing demand for specialized care, particularly for individuals with dementia or Alzheimer's disease, is driving growth in the memory care segment. Technological advancements, such as telehealth and smart home technology, are being integrated into senior living facilities to enhance resident care and independent living capabilities. Furthermore, a growing focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly practices within the industry is shaping future developments. While the market faces challenges, including rising construction costs and labor shortages, the overall outlook remains positive, driven by the long-term demographic trends and increasing demand for high-quality senior living options. The projected market size in 2033, extrapolated from the provided data, indicates a considerable expansion opportunity for both existing and new market entrants. This comprehensive report provides a detailed analysis of the booming Australian senior living market, encompassing the period from 2019 to 2033. With a focus on the estimated year 2025 and a forecast extending to 2033, this study offers invaluable insights for investors, operators, and stakeholders navigating this dynamic sector. We delve deep into market size, segmentation, trends, and future growth potential, considering key players like Aveo, RSL LifeCare, and Stockland, among others. This report utilizes data from the historical period (2019-2024) and establishes a robust base year of 2025. Recent developments include: August 2023: Aware Super has invested an undisclosed amount to acquire the remaining 30% it does not own in Oak Tree Retirement Villages. This senior housing platform owns 48 complexes along Australia's Eastern seaboard., February 2023: Lendlease 'Grove' extension will deliver 45 new two- and three-bedroom independent villas with internal garage access and private covered alfresco entertaining. The project will also include a separate 124-bed residential aged care facility delivered by Arcare Aged Care, offering a continuum of care in high demand in the Ngunnawal region.. Key drivers for this market are: 4., Aging Population4.; Increased Longevity. Potential restraints include: 4., Inadequate Staffing. Notable trends are: Increasing Senior Population and Life Expectancy driving the market.

The rent price index in Australia in the first quarter of 2025 was *****, marking an increase from the same quarter of the previous year. Rent prices had decreased in 2020; in Melbourne and Sydney, this was mainly attributed to the absence of international students during the coronavirus outbreak. The current state of the rental market in Australia The rental market in Australia has been marked by varying conditions across different regions. Among the capital cities, Sydney has long been recognized for having some of the highest average rents. As of March 2025, the average weekly rent for a house in Sydney was *** Australian dollars, which was the highest average rent across all major cities in Australia that year. Furthermore, due to factors like population growth and housing demand, regional areas have also seen noticeable increases in rental prices. For instance, households in the non-metropolitan area of New South Wales’ expenditure on rent was around ** percent of their household income in the year ending June 2024. Housing affordability in Australia Housing affordability remains a significant challenge in Australia, contributing to a trend where many individuals and families rent for prolonged periods. The underlying cause of this issue is the ongoing disparity between household wages and housing costs, especially in large cities. While renting offers several advantages, it is worth noting that the associated costs may not always align with the expectation of affordability. Approximately one-third of participants in a recent survey stated that they pay between ** and ** percent of their monthly income on rent. Recent government initiatives, such as the 2024 Help to Buy scheme, aim to make it easier for people across Australia to get onto the property ladder. Still, the multifaceted nature of Australia’s housing affordability problem requires continued efforts to strike a balance between market dynamics and the need for accessible housing options for Australians.

The statistic depicts Australia's gross domestic product (GDP) from 1987 to 2024, with projections up until 2030. In 2024, GDP in Australia amounted to about 1.8 trillion US dollars. See global GDP for a global comparison. Australia’s economy and population Australia’s gross domestic product has been growing steadily, and all in all, Australia and its economic key factors show a well-set country. Australia is among the countries with the largest gross domestic product / GDP worldwide, and thus one of the largest economies. It was one of the few countries not severely stricken by the 2008 financial crisis; its unemployment rate, inflation rate and trade balance, for example, were hardly affected at all. In fact, the trade balance of Australia – a country’s exports minus its imports – has been higher than ever since 2010, with a slight dip in 2012. Australia mainly exports wine and agricultural products to countries like China, Japan or South Korea. One of Australia’s largest industries is tourism, which contributes a significant share to its gross domestic product. Almost half of approximately 23 million Australian residents are employed nowadays, life expectancy is increasing, and the fertility rate (the number of children born per woman) has been quite stable. A look at the distribution of the world population by continent shows that Australia is ranked last in terms of population and population density. Most of Australia's population lives at the coast in metropolitan areas, since parts of the continent are uninhabitable. Unsurprisingly, Australia is known as a country with very high living standards, four of its biggest cities – Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and Perth – are among the most livable cities worldwide.

This dataset presents the ratio of tourist visitors to the population of the region for Tourism Regions around Australia for the years 2006/07 to 2014/15. The Tourism Regions covered in the data are from the 2014 release of the Tourism Regions from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Tourism Research Australia's (TRA) Tourism Region Profiles provide comprehensive supply and demand tourism data for all of Australia's 2014 tourism regions. The data includes: Total tourism expenditure Overnight visitors Visitor/population ratio Accommodation (rooms, occupancy and RevPAR)

This dataset, released December 2017, contains data relating to the Home and Community Care Program 2014-2015 where the number of: Clients living alone, Clients with carer, Clients with co-resident carer, Indigenous clients (as a proportion of total clients), Indigenous clients (as a proportion of the Indigenous population), Non-English speaking clients, Total clients, Allied health care instances at home, Allied health care instances at centre, Care received in support instances, Case management instances, Centre based day care instances, Client care coordination instances, Domestic assistance instances, Home maintenance and modification instances, Meals at centre plus meals at home instances, Nursing care at centre plus nursing care at home instances, Personal care instances, Respite care instances, Social support instances, Transport instances, Total instances of assistance. The data is by Population Health Area (PHA) 2016 geographic boundaries based on the 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Population Health Areas, developed by PHIDU, are comprised of a combination of whole SA2s and multiple (aggregates of) SA2s, where the SA2 is an area in the ABS structure. For more information please see the data source notes on the data. Source: Compiled by PHIDU using data from the Australian Institute of health and Welfare, 2014/15; and the average of the ABS Estimated Resident Population, 30 June 2014 and 30 June 2015. AURIN has spatially enabled the original data. Data that was not shown/not applicable/not published/not available for the specific area ('#', '..', '^', 'np, 'n.a.', 'n.y.a.' in original PHIDU data) was removed.It has been replaced by by Blank cells. For other keys and abbreviations refer to PHIDU Keys.

This dataset, released July 2018, contains Estimated number of people aged 18 years and over who often have a difficulty or cannot get to places neededwith transport, including housebound (modelled estimates), 2014; Estimated number of people aged 18 years and over who experienced a barrier to accessing healthcare whenneeded it in the last 12 months, with main reason being cost of service (modelled estimates), 2014. The data is by Population Health Area (PHA) 2016 geographic boundaries based on the 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Population Health Areas, developed by PHIDU, are comprised of a combination of whole SA2s and multiple (aggregates of) SA2s, where the SA2 is an area in the ABS structure. For more information please see the data source notes on the data. Source: Modelled by PHIDU based on the ABS General Social Survey, 2014. AURIN has spatially enabled the original data. Data that was not shown/not applicable/not published/not available for the specific area ('#', '..', '^', 'np, 'n.a.', 'n.y.a.' in original PHIDU data) was removed.It has been replaced by by Blank cells. For other keys and abbreviations refer to PHIDU Keys.

This dataset, released in March 2018, contains the Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage (IRSD), 2011. The data is by Population Health Area (PHA) 2016 geographic boundaries based on the 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Population Health Areas, developed by PHIDU, are comprised of a combination of whole SA2s and multiple (aggregates of) SA2s, where the SA2 is an area in the ABS structure. For more information please see the data source notes on the data. Source: Compiled by PHIDU based on ABS Socio-economic Indexes for Areas (SEIFA), 2011 data. The LGAdata were re-produced from the ABS originals. Data for other geographic levels were constructed using population-weighted averages, based on the published ABS SA2 data. AURIN has spatially enabled the original data. Data that was not shown/not applicable/not published/not available for the specific area ('#', '..', '^', 'np, 'n.a.', 'n.y.a.' in original PHIDU data) was removed.It has been replaced by by Blank cells. For other keys and abbreviations refer to PHIDU Keys.

This dataset, released September 2017, contains statistics for disabilities relating to Assistance to people with a disability (unpaid), 2016; People with a profound or severe disability (includes people in long-term accommodation), All ages, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability and living in the community, All ages, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability (includes people in long-term accommodation), 0 to 64 years, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability and living in the community, 0 to 64 years, 2016; People with a profound or severe disability (includes people in long-term accommodation), 65 years and over,2016; People with a profound or severe disability and living in the community, 65 years and over, 2016. The data is by Population Health Area (PHA) 2016 geographic boundaries based on the 2016 Australian Statistical Geography Standard (ASGS). Population Health Areas, developed by PHIDU, are comprised of a combination of whole SA2s and multiple (aggregates of) SA2s, where the SA2 is an area in the ABS structure. For more information please see the data source notes on the data.