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 Sydney (C), accounting for 35.2% (36,188 people). This share was higher than Greater Sydney (19.1%).
Section overview
Overseas arrivals
Sydney (C) - Overseas born (Usual residence)
This table summarises overseas arrivals for Sydney (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Sydney.
Chart view
Overseas arrivals snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Sydney (C), with comparison markers for Greater Sydney.
Arrived in 1960 or earlier
2021 count
1,420
% of total
1.4%
1,420
1.4%
1961 to 1970
2021 count
2,832
% of total
2.8%
2,832
2.8%
1971 to 1980
2021 count
4,519
% of total
4.4%
4,519
4.4%
1981 to 1990
2021 count
8,251
% of total
8.0%
8,251
8.0%
1991 to 2000
2021 count
11,047
% of total
10.7%
11,047
10.7%
2001 to 2010
2021 count
18,368
% of total
17.8%
18,368
17.8%
2011 to 2015
2021 count
18,266
% of total
17.7%
18,266
17.7%
2016 to Aug 2021
2021 count
36,188
% of total
35.2%
36,188
35.2%
Not stated
2021 count
2,040
% of total
2.0%
2,040
2.0%
Data table
Overseas arrivals for Sydney (C). Overseas arrivals. 2021 counts and percentages compared with Greater Sydney.
| Category | 2021 count | 2021 % | Greater Sydney % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrived in 1960 or earlier | 1,420 | 1.4% | 3.1% |
| 1961 to 1970 | 2,832 | 2.8% | 5.9% |
| 1971 to 1980 | 4,519 | 4.4% | 7.5% |
| 1981 to 1990 | 8,251 | 8.0% | 12.8% |
| 1991 to 2000 | 11,047 | 10.7% | 14.3% |
| 2001 to 2010 | 18,368 | 17.8% | 21.3% |
| 2011 to 2015 | 18,266 | 17.7% | 13.7% |
| 2016 to Aug 2021 | 36,188 | 35.2% | 19.1% |
| Not stated | 2,040 | 2.0% | 2.3% |
| Total | 102,929 | 100.0% | 100.0% |