Population and Migration
The State of Victoria has been enriched by the presence of people from all over the world.
23.8% of Victoria's population were born overseas. 43.69% of Victorians were either born overseas, or have a parent who was born overseas. Victorians come from more than 230 countries, speak more than 200 languages and dialects and follow more than 120 religious faiths.
Most of the overseas-born Victorians came to Australia as migrants hoping to find a better life for themselves and their children. A significant number came to Australia as refugees – first Europeans displaced by the Second World War, then refugees from the war in Indo-China and more recently refugees from conflicts in the republics of the former Yugoslavia, the Horn of Africa, the Middle East and Afghanistan.
Population policies
The Victorian Government's population policy explains the government’s vision for growing Victoria’s population in an economically, socially and environmentally sustainable manner. Find out more about the population policy.
DIAC Publication Project: The People of Victoria: Statistics from the 2006 Census
The People of Victoria: Statistics from the 2006 Census is a major compilation of statistics on birthplace, language, religion and ancestry from the 2006 Census. Find out more about the The People of Victoria.
Migration strategies
Migrants and refugees have made an enormous contribution to the Victorian community in areas such as business and politics, education and research and sports and the arts. Learn more about migration strategies. To learn more about migrating to VIctoria, go to www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au
Population in Diversity in Local Councils in Victoria: 2006 Census
This publication by the Victorian Multicultural Commission provides data on birthplace, language, ancestry, and religion by Local Government Areas. It is an invaluable guide for local government planners, community organisations, researchers and those in the broader community concerned with designing and delivering services that are accessible and equitable. Download the Population in Diversity in Local Councils in Victoria: 2006 Census report.
Community Profiles - 2006 Census
The Victorian Community Profiles 2006 Census Series consists of 75 reports, each focusing on a particular birthplace or community group. Commentaries and data tables detail demographic and socio-economic characteristics of these established and emerging communities in Victoria. Learn more about the community profiles
Community Fact Sheets
Community fact sheets are available for the top 75 overseas birthplace groups in Victoria. Each fact sheet consists of a brief commentary and summary tables on the population characteristics of the birthplace group. Find out more about the fact sheets.
Data tables from 2006 Census
The Victorian Multicultural Commission has acquired 29 data tables on ethnicity variables from the 2006 Census, compared across a range of socio-economic variables. The data are available by Local Government Areas. Users can download the data tables for free, and should be able to extract data from these tables to format new tables according to their own specific requirements. Find out more about the 2006 data tables.
Census data on towns in Victoria
Detailed Census data are available for towns in Victoria, including total population, age structure, income, household size, dwellings, labour force, industry of employment, birthplace and language spoken. Go to the Department of Planning and Community Development website to download the data Towns in Time.
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