Melbourne is entering a new phase of tourism and travel as overseas migration becomes the largest contributor to population growth in Greater Melbourne. Australian Bureau of Statistics data show the city added 105,030 residents during 2024–25, with 81,168 coming from net overseas migration and 32,416 from natural increase. Net internal migration reduced the total by 8,554.
The figures matter for tourism because a larger international population can strengthen connections between Melbourne and overseas markets while supporting travel linked to visiting friends and relatives, international events, business and leisure.
Overseas Migration Accounts for Most Melbourne Growth
The ABS figures show that net overseas migration contributed about 77% of Melbourne’s total population increase in 2024–25. Natural increase contributed about 31%, while net internal migration reduced the overall gain.
Melbourne recorded the largest population increase of any Australian capital city during the financial year, ahead of Sydney’s 75,230-person increase. Greater Melbourne reached an estimated population of 5,435,590 at 30 June 2025.
The demographic shift creates a broader domestic travel market within Melbourne itself, alongside international travel links maintained by communities with family, cultural and business connections overseas.
International Communities Strengthen Travel Connections
Australia’s overseas-born population reached 8.8 million by June 2025, representing 32% of the national population. India, England, China and New Zealand were the four largest countries of birth, while people born in India recorded the largest increase since 2015.
For Melbourne, these population patterns create established communities connected with major international markets. Travel between Melbourne and countries across Asia can therefore include leisure visitors, students, business travellers, returning residents and people visiting relatives.
The visiting-friends-and-relatives segment can support accommodation, aviation, restaurants, retail, attractions and regional excursions, with travellers often combining family visits with sightseeing.
Melbourne Offers a Broad Visitor Experience
For international and domestic travellers, Melbourne provides a compact urban tourism base with cultural attractions, sports venues, shopping precincts, restaurants, galleries and neighbourhood experiences.
The Melbourne CBD offers access to Federation Square, the Yarra River, laneways and major cultural institutions. Southbank adds restaurants, entertainment and waterfront attractions, while Carlton provides connections to Melbourne’s Italian heritage and dining scene.
Visitors can also build longer itineraries around St Kilda, Fitzroy, Richmond and the city’s sporting precincts. Melbourne’s major events calendar provides another reason for travellers to visit throughout the year.
Airport Access Supports International Tourism
Melbourne Airport at Tullamarine remains the city’s principal international aviation gateway. Travellers can connect from the airport to central Melbourne by road-based airport transfers, buses, taxis and rideshare services.
The airport’s location makes transport planning important for visitors staying in the CBD or travelling onward to regional Victoria. Domestic connections also allow Melbourne to function as a gateway for journeys to destinations including the Great Ocean Road, Yarra Valley, Phillip Island and regional Victorian towns.
For international visitors, combining several Victorian destinations can turn a Melbourne city stay into a broader state itinerary.
Population Growth Can Expand Visitor Demand
A larger resident population can support tourism businesses through additional demand for restaurants, entertainment, cultural attractions and transport. International communities can also contribute to destination marketing through social networks, family connections and repeat travel.
Melbourne’s multicultural character is already reflected in its food districts, festivals, markets and cultural institutions. International residents and visitors can therefore participate in tourism experiences that connect local neighbourhoods with global cultures.
This creates opportunities for tourism businesses to serve both international visitors and residents seeking leisure activities within the city.
Australia’s Migration Growth Is Slowing
The Melbourne population increase comes as Australia’s overall migration growth moderates. ABS data show net overseas migration added 306,000 people nationally during 2024–25, down by 124,000 from the previous financial year. The decline followed a 14% decrease in migrant arrivals and a 13% increase in departures.
Nationally, population growth also continued to slow. Australia added 412,500 people during the year to December 2025, including 301,000 from net overseas migration and 111,500 through natural increase.
Melbourne’s strong population increase therefore stands within a broader period of changing migration patterns.
Travel Planning Around Melbourne
Visitors can use Melbourne as a base for both urban and regional tourism. A three- to five-night city itinerary can include cultural attractions, shopping, dining, sporting experiences and neighbourhood exploration before extending into regional Victoria.
The Great Ocean Road offers coastal scenery, while the Yarra Valley provides wine, food and countryside experiences. Phillip Island adds wildlife tourism, and the Mornington Peninsula combines beaches, food and coastal landscapes.
Public transport across metropolitan Melbourne includes trains, trams and buses, while regional rail and coach services connect the city with destinations outside the metropolitan area.
Key Stats
- Greater Melbourne population at June 2025: 5,435,590
- Melbourne population growth in 2024–25: 105,030
- Net overseas migration contribution: 81,168
- Natural increase: 32,416
- Net internal migration: -8,554
- Overseas migration share of total growth: about 77%
- Australia overseas-born population in 2025: 8.8 million
- Overseas-born share of Australia’s population: 32%
Conclusion
Melbourne’s population growth is increasingly connected to international migration, with overseas migration providing the largest component of the city’s 2024–25 increase. The demographic change strengthens connections with international markets while supporting visiting-friends-and-relatives travel, business tourism, leisure activity and regional tourism. With Melbourne Airport linking the city to global destinations and a broad network of attractions extending from the CBD to regional Victoria, the city is entering a tourism era shaped increasingly by its international population.
