Immigration by Prime Minister - the FACTS
Immigration is one of the most politically charged numbers in Australian public life. Here are some key facts regarding average immigration levels under various Prime Ministers since 1981.
ERP population increase is the growth in Australia's Estimated Resident Population — the ABS's official population count.
Net immigration (Net Overseas Migration) is the net population contribution from people arriving versus leaving the country, stripped of births and deaths.
Dividing the second by the first tells us how much of Australia's population growth under each leader came from immigration rather than natural increase.
The results span a wide range.
| Net Immigration as % of ERP Population Increase | |
|---|---|
| Anthony Albanese |
79.05%
|
| Kevin Rudd |
64.29%
|
| Malcolm Turnbull |
61.70%
|
| Julia Gillard |
58.37%
|
| Tony Abbott |
54.06%
|
| John Howard |
51.50%
|
| Scott Morrison |
50.43%
|
| Malcolm Fraser |
46.85%
|
| Bob Hawke |
45.03%
|
| Paul Keating |
33.05%
|
Under Malcolm Fraser’s latter years in office, migration accounted for less than half of population growth (46.9%). By contrast, under Anthony Albanese it has reached 79.1% — the highest share on record — alongside the largest total net immigration figure (nearly 1.5 million) and the highest single-quarter intake (165,500).
Kevin Rudd (64.3%) and Malcolm Turnbull (61.7%) also stand out for high migration-driven growth, while Paul Keating recorded the lowest share (33.1%) alongside the recession-era net outflow of migrants in one quarter (-6,300).
Scott Morrison's term reflected the pandemic's disruption: a record quarterly high of 107,500, followed by a record quarterly low of -42,600 as borders closed.
| Prime Minister | Total ERP Population Increase | Total Net Immigration | Net Immigration as % of ERP Increase | Max Qtr Immigration | Min Qtr Immigration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malcolm Fraser | 365,600 | 171,300 | 46.85% | 34,500 | 16,300 |
| Bob Hawke | 2,050,000 | 923,200 | 45.03% | 53,600 | 10,900 |
| Paul Keating | 780,700 | 258,000 | 33.05% | 29,200 | -6,300 |
| John Howard | 2,804,600 | 1,444,500 | 51.50% | 76,000 | 6,100 |
| Kevin Rudd | 1,125,000 | 723,300 | 64.29% | 93,500 | 41,700 |
| Julia Gillard | 1,078,900 | 629,800 | 58.37% | 74,000 | 32,000 |
| Tony Abbott | 687,900 | 371,900 | 54.06% | 65,000 | 30,400 |
| Malcolm Turnbull | 1,147,300 | 707,900 | 61.70% | 88,800 | 35,800 |
| Scott Morrison | 949,700 | 478,900 | 50.43% | 107,500 | -42,600 |
| Anthony Albanese | 1,888,000 | 1,492,400 | 79.05% | 165,500 | 49,200 |