Western Australia: population, jobs, health, schools, living costs and state government finances
Western Australia is a state of Australia, number 4 of 8 by population. The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates the resident population of Western Australia at 3,044,382 people on 30 June 2025, which is 11.0% of Australia (4th largest of 8 states and territories by population).
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Western Australia: The economy of Western Australia produced gross state product of $458,831 million in 2024-25 at current prices, 16.5% of Australian gross domestic product ($2,778,897 million), 4th largest of 8 among states and territories.
- Health in Western Australia: Boys born in Western Australia can expect to live 81.5 years and girls 85.7 years (life expectancy at birth, 2022-2024), compared with 81.1 and 85.1 years for Australia; for males Western Australia ranks 2nd highest of 8, for females 2nd highest of 8.
- Education in Western Australia: Western Australia had 1,126 schools in 2025 (813 government, 164 Catholic and 149 independent) with 466,285 students enrolled, +1.5% on 2024.
- Poverty and living standards in Western Australia: The 2021 Census estimated 9,746 people were homeless in Western Australia, a rate of 37 per 10,000 people (the lowest of 8 states and territories).
- Government budget and revenue in Western Australia: The Western Australia government raised $50,089 million in revenue and spent $46,418 million in 2024-25 (general government sector), a net operating balance of +$3,670 million.
How fast is the population of Western Australia growing?
The population of Western Australia grew by 2.2% in the year to 30 June 2025 (from 2,978,147); its growth rate was fastest of 8 among the states and territories.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyWhat is the median age in Western Australia?
The median age of people in Western Australia was 38.0 years at 30 June 2024 (4th youngest of 8 states and territories).
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many migrants arrived in Western Australia?
Net overseas migration added 41,057 people to the population of Western Australia in the year to 30 June 2025.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Western Australia are Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander?
At the 2021 Census 3.3% of people in Western Australia identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander, and 32.2% were born overseas.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow states are governed in Australia
States (6) and self-governing territories (2). Elected parliaments; premier or chief minister from the majority. Create, merge and supervise local councils through their own Local Government Acts.
Every tier of government in Australia
Other states of Australia
- New South Wales 8,592,524
- Victoria 7,073,859
- Queensland 5,669,764
- South Australia 1,902,665
- Tasmania 576,261
- Australian Capital Territory 484,630
- Northern Territory 264,556
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Sources
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Census of Population and Housing 2021, state and territory results (via ABS Data by region): health conditions, education, housing costs, homelessness, disadvantage, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 7f6d87de31d5…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Government Finance Statistics, Australia, 2024-25: state general government operating statement, balance sheet and expenses by purpose, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a22f46e52d4e…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Australian National Accounts: State Accounts, 2024-25, Table 1: Gross state product, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 193fa6f8752b…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Life expectancy 2022-2024: life tables by state and territory of usual residence, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b8ed69c08132…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Labour Force, Australia, September 2026: trend and seasonally adjusted state and territory series, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 72befbbd1b24…)
- Australian Bureau of Statistics: Schools, 2025: Table 90a key information by state, Table 53a student-teacher ratios, Table 64a retention rates, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c3ecf57c8e83…)
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