And both permanent and temporary migrants add to economic activity when they work and spend money here. Speaking last year about whether the spike in migration had affected the economy, Reserve Bank Governor Michele Bullock said she believed it was neutral overall.
"New migrants add to demand … they have certainly added to pressure on the housing market, we know that," she said. "But on the other hand, they have added to labour supply … I think it's been pretty much of a muchness."
These charts show the effect of migration on Australia's housing story. By Tom Crowley, ABC News