Australia's population hits 20 million

Australia's population has ticked up to hit 20.3 million, partly fuelled by a boom in Queensland.

The state's population grew by 2 per cent to 3.9 million, the biggest population increase recorded anywhere in the country in the year to the end of March.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics said 26,900 people moved out of New South Wales, 3900 left South Australia, 2400 left Victoria and 1600 left the Australia Capital Territory.

On a national basis, newborn babies contributed to more than half (52.2 per cent) of the rise, with migration close behind.