Australia’s international travel activity continued to strengthen in April 2025, with the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showing steady increases in both visitor arrivals and resident returns.
According to the ABS, total arrivals reached 1,763,390 in April 2025, up 7.9% from a year earlier. Total departures rose 16.7% to 1,925,790.
A total of 641,150 short-term visitor trips were recorded during the month, representing an 8.1% increase compared to April 2024.
While this marked a significant rise, visitor numbers remained 8.5% below April 2019 pre-COVID levels.
New Zealand remained the leading source of overseas visitors, contributing 123,950 trips, or 19% of total arrivals. China followed with 73,770 and the United Kingdom at 55,990.
On the outbound side, 1,044,530 Australian residents returned from short-term international trips, an increase of 8.3% on the same month last year and 14.0% higher than April 2019 levels.
Indonesia was recorded as the most popular overseas destination for returning residents, with 139,910 trips, ahead of New Zealand at 131,360 and Japan with 107,130.
Across Australia’s states and territories, New South Wales saw the highest number of returning residents with 330,970 trips. The Northern Territory recorded the fewest, at 7,690.
International student arrivals have declined. Australia welcomed 43,290 international students in April 2025, a drop of 2,650 compared to the same month in 2024 and 2.7% below April 2019 levels.
