Population to keep growing in big cities

New figures show Australia's population could reach 30 million in 2029, adding an extra five million people in just 11 years.

5 million and counting: 65 percent of Melbourne's population growth is the result of overseas migration Source: Flickr

LATEST ABS POPULATION PROJECTIONS REPORT

* Australia's population will reach 30 million between 2029 and 2033

* The country could get to 35 million as early as 2038

* The highest possible projection has the population at 49 million by 2066

* Melbourne will overtake Sydney as the country's biggest city between 2031 and 2057

* Brisbane could reach three million by 2027

* The Australian Capital Territory will almost have a population the equal of Tasmania in nine years' time, with the gap to be cut to as few as 35,000.

SOURCE: Australian Bureau of Statistics