New Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows short-term visitor arrivals to Australia recovered to 85 per cent of 2018-19 levels in June 2024.

There were 587,760 short-term visitor arrivals, an increase of 8.4 per cent on one year earlier. 

Holidays were once again the leading reason for visiting Australia.

The three leading source countries were New Zealand (103,850 trips), China (55,670) and the United States (52,460).

ABS head of migration statistics Jenny Dobak said: "China made a notable movement in the top five countries that short-term visitors arrived from, becoming the second-most popular country for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic.

"India was the fifth most popular destination; however it was the only country in the top five to surpass its pre-COVID-19 level.” 

NSW welcomes highest number of visitors

All travellers are asked their intended address in Australia upon arrival.

For June 2024, the highest number of visitor arrivals for short-term trips was observed for NSW.

There were 209,940 short-term visitor arrivals to NSW, an increase of 6530 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year. 

The number of trips for June 2024 was 10.7 per cent lower than pre-COVID-19 levels in June 2019.

The three leading source countries for NSW were New Zealand (30,000 trips), the United States (26,300) and China (23,960).

Destination NSW will hold a Focus on North Asia 2024 event from 14-15 November 2024, which will bring around 60 key travel buyers from China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea to NSW.

The event will provide NSW suppliers with the chance to connect with travel buyers through appointment-based workshops and a networking dinner.

The North Asia markets, comprising China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, represent a significant contribution to international tourism for NSW.

Combined, these source markets are responsible for 21 per cent of international visitors, 25 per cent of international visitor nights and 38 per cent of international visitor expenditure in NSW.

Learn more here.

International student arrivals

In June 2024 there were 39,230 international student arrivals to Australia, a decrease of 11,390 students compared with the corresponding month of the previous year.

The number of student arrivals in June 2024 was 14.8 per cent lower than the pre-COVID-19 levels in June 2019.

Learn more here.