At a population size of 454,499 on the night of the 2021 Census, the ACT recorded a 14.4 per cent increase between the Census dates – the highest among all states and territories in Australia.
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr explained that this is more than 21,000 persons above the last published Estimated Resident Population for the ACT, which will have an impact on the ACT’s share of national funding arrangements including the distribution of GST. The Chief Minister said that while the ACT Government anticipated our population figures to be higher, the significant increase will require further work with the Australian Bureau of Statistics given the significant implications that is has on funding distributions. The Chief Minister said that the ACT Government has already begun work collaboratively with the new Federal Labor Government to ensure that ACT gets our fair share. We have many shared priorities in housing, healthcare and education that will support the growth of the nation’s capital into the future.




Chief Minister Barr said that mow is the time to invest in our city, in infrastructure that is built for Canberra, to ensure that the Canberra of 2030 continues to be one of the most liveable cities in the world. The Chief Minister added that through the upcoming ACT Budget, the Government will continue to make significant investments to build Canberra’s future. The Budget will include even more investment into schools, hospitals, and into the services and local infrastructure that Canberrans know and love.