WA is losing residents to eastern states, Census data reveals

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WA is losing residents to eastern states, Census data reveals

By Heather McNeill
Updated

Western Australia is losing around 10,000 residents a year to interstate migration, new Census data has revealed.

In 2016, WA welcomed 22,693 residents who had the year before lived in another state, however that figure was trumped by the number of people exiting the west to head east.

After a fading mining boom more and more West Aussies are crossing the Nullabor plain to find their luck on the east coast.

After a fading mining boom more and more West Aussies are crossing the Nullabor plain to find their luck on the east coast.

Census data showed nearly 33,000 people who lived in Western Australia in 2015 moved east last year, with most migrating to Victoria (9,494), New South Wales (8,443) and Queensland (8,301).

The inter-state exit and a weakening jobs market contributed to population growth in WA falling to 0.7 per cent - the slowest rate on record - in March 2017.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data revealed the state was home to 2.57 million people and recorded an annual increase of 18,400 residents – less than half the national average.

In contrast, other states such as Victoria and New South Wales experienced big jumps in numbers, recording 2.4 per cent and 1.6 per cent growth respectively in the year to March 2017.

Nationally, most interstate travellers migrated to Queensland, with more than 220,000 people calling the sunshine state their new home in the past five years.

Census program manager Bindi Kindermann said its new figures, which showed intrastate, interstate and international migration patterns, were key planning tool for governments.

"In the year leading up to 2016 Census night, New South Wales and Victoria had the highest migration from overseas – key factors in the population growth in these states," she said.

"Not only is it interesting to see where our fellow Australians are moving to and from, it is also really important information when it comes to planning for infrastructure and communities."

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