The 2006 census shows more than one in five Australians were born overseas, with a significant shift in the mix of immigrants since the 1996 census.

People born in England continue to make up the largest proportion of immigrants, at 19.4 per cent, but their number is down 15,000 from 1996.

Italian- and Greek-born residents are also more scarce.

The number hailing from Italy is down 39,000 compared with 1996, when Italians were the third largest group of overseas-born Australians.

The number born in Greece fell by 17,000, sending that country from sixth to ninth on the list of countries of origin.

New Zealand remains the second largest group of overseas-born immigrants, after growing by 98,000 to 389,500 people.

But the most significant growth is in the number of people from China.

Chinese are now the third largest group of overseas-born Australians, overtaking Italy, Vietnam, Greece and Scotland in the past decade.

The ranks of Australians born in China have swelled to 206,600 (4.7 per cent) from 111,000 (2.8 per cent) in 1996.

Immigrants from Vietnam, India and the Philippines also grew in number.

The census also showed growth in immigration from countries suffering war or unrest since 2001. Increases were recorded from Sudan (14,000), Zimbabwe (10,000), Afghanistan (7000) and Iraq (11,000).

Western Australia has the largest proportion of overseas-born residents - 27 per cent - and Tasmania the lowest - 11 per cent.

Of the capitals, Sydney has the highest proportion of overseas-born, almost one third of its population, while Hobart has the lowest at 12 per cent.

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