Fewer people moved to Queensland from other states in the 12 months to 31 March 2026, and fewer left New South Wales, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
Queensland took in 98,121 residents from other states, down 7.2% on a year earlier. Another 83,403 left for other states, up 2.4%. That cut Queensland’s net interstate gain (arrivals minus departures) by 39% to 14,718, its smallest since 2016.
In NSW, 106,698 residents left for other states, down 5.0%, while 85,880 arrived, up 0.6%. The state’s net loss of 20,818 was still the largest of any state, but the smallest since 2017.
The figures are from the ABS National, state and territory population release for March 2026, published on 17 September 2026.
Queensland’s pull has faded since 2022
Queensland’s net gain from other states reached 40,057 in the year to March 2022 and has fallen every year since. NSW’s net loss reached 31,662 a year later and has narrowed every year since.
The slowdown in Queensland deepened late in the period. In the March quarter alone, its net interstate gain was 2,491, the smallest quarterly result since the September quarter of 2015.
Most of the gain went to regional Queensland, not Brisbane. Provisional ABS estimates put Greater Brisbane’s net interstate gain at 6,124 and the rest of Queensland’s at 8,594.
Sydney still drives the NSW outflow
Sydney accounts for most of the state’s interstate loss. Provisional ABS estimates show Greater Sydney lost a net 14,156 residents to other states over the year, 68% of the NSW total. It lost a further net 13,766 to regional NSW.
Counting moves to regional NSW and other states together, Sydney lost a net 27,922 residents. Children under 15 and adults aged 25 to 44 made up 59% of that loss.
How the other states fared
Victoria recorded a net interstate gain of 82 people, its first annual gain since the year to March 2020. A year earlier, it lost a net 4,456.
Western Australia gained a net 10,314, down from 12,507, and Perth took 9,153 of that, according to provisional ABS estimates. South Australia (-1,208) and Tasmania (-98) posted smaller losses than a year earlier. Losses from the Northern Territory (-1,589) and the Australian Capital Territory (-1,401) widened.
Overall, Australians moved interstate less often. Total interstate moves fell 2.6% to 370,238.
| State | Net 2026 | Net 2025* | Arrivals | Departures | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSW | -20,818 | -26,922 | 85,880 | 106,698 | |
| VIC | +82 | -4,456 | 75,580 | 75,498 | |
| QLD | +14,718 | +24,319 | 98,121 | 83,403 | |
| SA | -1,208 | -2,336 | 24,192 | 25,400 | |
| WA | +10,314 | +12,507 | 38,129 | 27,815 | |
| TAS | -98 | -1,246 | 14,559 | 14,657 | |
| NT | -1,589 | -899 | 14,290 | 15,879 | |
| ACT | -1,401 | -967 | 19,487 | 20,888 |
Overseas migration still drives growth
Interstate moves remain a secondary driver of population change. The ABS said net overseas migration was the main contributor to population change in every state and territory over the year.
NSW’s population grew by 97,000, or 1.1%, to 8.67 million. Net overseas migration added 84,573 people and natural increase (births minus deaths) added 33,216, more than covering the interstate loss.
Queensland’s population rose 1.6% to 5.74 million, with net overseas migration of 55,217 and natural increase of 20,143. Interstate moves accounted for 16.3% of its growth.
Western Australia was the fastest-growing state, up 2.1% to 3.10 million.
Nationally, the population grew 1.4%, or 392,700 people, to 27.9 million. Net overseas migration contributed 292,100, down from 309,500 a year earlier, and natural increase added 100,600.
The price gap has narrowed
The slowdown comes as the price gap between Brisbane and Sydney has narrowed. According to Cotality, Brisbane’s median dwelling value was $1,048,880 at 30 September 2026, up 5.9% over the year. Sydney’s was $1,198,596, down 7.0%. That leaves a gap of about $150,000.
AMP chief economist Shane Oliver linked affordability and migration in June. “Brisbane has a problem with poor affordability ... and a lot of its growth has been driven by interstate migration, which is trending slower,” he told Domain. “Given the city’s affordability picture, there’s now little incentive to relocate there.”
Values are now falling in every capital except Darwin. Over the September quarter, Cotality recorded the steepest falls in Sydney (4.9%) and in Brisbane and Perth (4.7% each).
What it means for buyers and investors
Queensland still recorded the largest net gain from other states of any state or territory, and most of it went to regional Queensland rather than Brisbane. For investors, that points to continued demand outside the capital, backed by population growth of 1.6% over the year, equal to Victoria and behind only Western Australia.
Western Australia’s interstate gain is smaller than a year ago and concentrated in Perth.
In NSW, fewer people are leaving, but overseas arrivals remain the bigger influence on population growth and housing demand.
The next ABS release, covering the year to June 2026, is due on 17 December 2026.
