Victoria's population is projected to soar faster than most other states as Australia takes in more migrants.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics says more than 50 per cent of the increase in the national population in the year to June 30, 2006, was because of migration.

The number of people increased by 1.3 per cent to 20.6 million. Of the 265,700 increase, 134,600 were migrants.

As well, more skilled migrants arrived in Australia in the year to June 30, accounting for 45 per cent of all permanent arrivals. In comparison, humanitarian-program migrants accounted for just 9 per cent.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/migrants-head-so...9/1174761667486.html