Australia's population has hit the 27 million mark nearly two decades earlier than many anticipated. 

On Wednesday, January 24, at approximately 3.45 pm AEST, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) population clock ticked past the new milestone, a significant moment in a period of rapid demographic growth.

The last 12 months alone saw the addition of 624,100 people, an increase equivalent to adding the entire populace of Tasmania in just one year. 

This growth, 41 per cent higher than the record set in 2009, has defied the predictions of the Howard government's first inter-generational report in 2002, which did not foresee the population reaching 25.3 million until 2042.

The surge is attributed largely to migration, with the post-pandemic period witnessing a dramatic influx of overseas arrivals. 

The ABS reports a staggering 80 per cent of the population increase due to the 737,200 arrivals and 219,100 departures recorded over the past year.

However, this record population increase is coming at a time of serious infrastructure bottlenecks, with people already struggling to access education, health services, housing and other needs.

This population boom places Australia in a rare position. 

The country now faces a series of challenges and opportunities, from infrastructure strain to the potential for dynamic economic growth. 

Experts say that the media should be careful in shaping the narrative around population growth, cautioning against panic and pointing to the need for strategic planning to address long-term challenges, particularly around inequality and housing.

Migration is needed for the country to navigate the adverse consequences of an ageing population. It has also been foundational in every aspect of Australia’s post-colonial culture and history.