Australia is currently home to over 27 million people. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed the national population grew by 2.3 per cent to 27.1 million in March this year. That’s an increase of about 615,300 over the previous year.

“Natural increase,” meaning births and deaths, accounted for 17 percent of the increase.

All states and territories experienced population growth ranging from about 3.1 per cent in Western Australia to 0.4 per cent in Tasmania.

Australian National University demographer Liz Allen said hitting the 27 million population milestone was a moment to consider the challenges and opportunities facing the country in the future.