Cultural diversity
Overseas arrivals
About this topic
Overseas arrivals groups the overseas-born population by the year they first arrived in Australia to live here for one year or more. It shows how recent or established migrant communities are within an area.
This topic only applies to people born overseas, not the total population. It is useful for understanding settlement trends and likely demand for newcomer services, and it is best read with birthplace, language used at home, and religion.
Interpretation notes
- This topic applies only to overseas-born people who first arrived to live in Australia for one year or more, not to the total population.
- Year of arrival is most useful with birthplace and language, because arrival timing alone does not show current support needs.
Key insight
In 2021, 2016 to August 2021 was the most common arrival period among overseas-born residents in Melbourne (C), accounting for 48.9% (40,049 people). This share was higher than Greater Melbourne (19.7%).
Section overview
Overseas arrivals
Melbourne (C) - Overseas born (Usual residence)
This table summarises overseas arrivals for Melbourne (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne.
Chart view
Overseas arrivals snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Melbourne (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
Arrived in 1960 or earlier
2021 count
950
% of total
1.2%
950
1.2%
1961 to 1970
2021 count
1,290
% of total
1.6%
1,290
1.6%
1971 to 1980
2021 count
1,769
% of total
2.2%
1,769
2.2%
1981 to 1990
2021 count
3,556
% of total
4.3%
3,556
4.3%
1991 to 2000
2021 count
5,330
% of total
6.5%
5,330
6.5%
2001 to 2010
2021 count
13,448
% of total
16.4%
13,448
16.4%
2011 to 2015
2021 count
14,297
% of total
17.5%
14,297
17.5%
2016 to Aug 2021
2021 count
40,049
% of total
48.9%
40,049
48.9%
Not stated
2021 count
1,242
% of total
1.5%
1,242
1.5%
Data table
Overseas arrivals for Melbourne (C). Overseas arrivals. 2021 counts and percentages compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 count | 2021 % | Greater Melbourne % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrived in 1960 or earlier | 950 | 1.2% | 4.8% |
| 1961 to 1970 | 1,290 | 1.6% | 7.5% |
| 1971 to 1980 | 1,769 | 2.2% | 6.7% |
| 1981 to 1990 | 3,556 | 4.3% | 10.5% |
| 1991 to 2000 | 5,330 | 6.5% | 10.6% |
| 2001 to 2010 | 13,448 | 16.4% | 22.7% |
| 2011 to 2015 | 14,297 | 17.5% | 15.3% |
| 2016 to Aug 2021 | 40,049 | 48.9% | 19.7% |
| Not stated | 1,242 | 1.5% | 2.1% |
| Total | 81,927 | 100.0% | 100.0% |