Australia's population has reached 28 million, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimates.Its population clock forecast the nation had reached the milestone at 6am on Tuesday, based on the growth rate set on 1 July 2025.The growth rate assumes that every minute and 15 seconds, another person is added to the Australian population.Australia's population growth in recent times has been largely driven by net overseas migration.ABS figures released in March showed that, in the year to September 2025, net overseas migration accounted for 73 per cent of the nation's population increase, or 311,000 people, while natural increase — births minus deaths — accounted for 27 per cent, or 112,600 people.Liz Allen from the Australian National University's Centre for Social Policy Research said migration continued to be a key contributor to Australia's population growth, and the figure reflected changes to the immigration intake over time Australia passed the 27 million milestone in 2024, about two years after international borders reopened, as net overseas migration rebounded from pandemic-era lows.Australia is estimated to reach a population of 30 million people in 2031.The 2026 Census will be conducted on the night of 11 August.For the latest from SBS News, download our app and subscribe to our newsletter.