Migrant boom fuels SA’s state of prosperity

SA’s population has risen by more than 25,000 people in a single year – with a migrant boom fuelling our state of prosperity.

South Australia’s population has risen by more than 25,000 people in a single year – marking the second-biggest increase on record, according to the latest national data.

The population grew by 1.4 per cent to 1.83 million over the year that ended in September 2022, the Australian Bureau of Statistics said.

Among the states and territories, Queensland recorded the highest growth at 2.2 per cent, followed by Western Australia at 1.8, Victoria at 1.7, then South Australia in equal fourth position with the ACT.

The Northern Territory recorded the lowest figure at 0.4 per cent growth, while the national figure was 1.6 per cent.

In South Australia, the main drivers of the growth were net overseas migration and net interstate migration.

Tiby and Stephen Jose say they “wouldn’t want to be anywhere else”. Picture Dean Martin

Across the year, there were 19,560 people who moved to South Australia from overseas — the highest figure on record.

Net interstate migration was 1440, which was the second-highest number on record and the highest since the year ending June 1991.

There was a fall in the natural increase in population, which is the number of births in the state minus the number of deaths.

That figure was 4200 — the lowest ever annual increase on record.

Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said South Australia’s population growth was “starting to pick up steam”.

“Previous commentary around South Australia's net interstate migration numbers pointed to closed borders or lockdowns in other states preventing people from leaving,” he said.

“These recent migration figures are an indication that positive net interstate migration is occurring after Covid.”

Mr Mullighan said the increase showed confidence in the state, economy and direction of the government.

“Coupled with our record low unemployment rate, and record high number of South Australians in work, our economy is attracting more migrants,” he said.

“And with this week’s AUKUS announcement providing decades of work for South Australians, we can expect to welcome more people to SA in the months and years ahead.”

Tiby Stephen and her husband, Stephen Jose, relocated from India through the skilled migrant visa program more than a decade ago.

Tiby and Stephen Jose say they “wouldn’t want to be anywhere else”. Picture Dean Martin Picture Dean Martin

Ms Stephen, a social worker, and Mr Stephen, a disability support worker, both completed more study following their arrival.

The Northfield couple, who now have two children, encouraged others moving from overseas to consider settling in South Australia.

“After living here, we wouldn’t want to be anywhere else,” she said.

“It’s a beautiful place, very calm. When we visited the other states, we saw Sydney and Melbourne, we’re happy we picked here.”

Originally published as Migrant boom fuels SA’s state of prosperity