Melbourne to steal title of biggest city

Despite its population shrinking in the pandemic, Melbourne is expected to become the biggest city. (Sam Mooy/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Melbourne is still expected to overtake Sydney as the largest Australian city despite many fleeing Victoria's capital during the pandemic.

Government population figures show Melbourne's population shrinking by 1.6 per cent in 2020/21 as 18,000 left the state.