Number of international visitors to Australia FY 2010-2024
Between 2010 and 2019, there was a continuous upward trend in the number of international visitors arriving in Australia. However, the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in the middle of the 2020 financial year saw international visitors to Australia drop to 6.2 million visitors from 8.6 million in the financial year 2019. With lockdowns and travel restrictions all around the world, this trend continued into the 2021 financial year, with international visitors to Australia only at around 140,000 people. However, the number of international visitors to the country rose in 2022 and 2023 and exceeded seven million in 2024, indicating a gradual recovery from the aftermath of the pandemic.
Sydney leads the way in attracting visitors
Sydney continues to be the primary gateway for international tourists, welcoming the most visitors across leading destinations of international arrivals. The city's appeal extends to domestic travelers as well, topping the lists for both overnight and day trip visitors. In August 2024, Sydney's Kingsford Smith International Airport processed nearly 1.3 million international passengers, underscoring its role as a key entry point for foreign visitors.
International tourists’ reasons for visiting Australia
During the financial year 2024, going on holiday and visiting friends and family who live in the country were the most popular reasons to go to Australia among international travelers. Around three million people visited for a holiday, and approximately 770,000 people came for business purposes. Elsewhere, there were about 290,000 jobseekers who traveled to Australia for employment reasons.
