Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia has a diverse population with a history of immigration from various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and other regions. The country has pursued an official policy of multiculturalism since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973. While the percentage of Australians with European backgrounds has been declining since the 1960s and 1970s, they still form the largest panethnic group in the country. In 2021, more than 57.2% of Australians identified as having European ancestry, while 29.9% nominated Australian ancestry, which is categorized within the Oceanian group but often includes Anglo-Celtic or European heritage. The country's power structure, however, has been criticized for being overwhelmingly white, with a significant gap between Australia's self-image as a diverse and multicultural nation and the reality of representation in leadership positions across business, government, and academia.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population density | 3.4/km2 (8.8/sq mi) |
| Percentage of population with European ancestry | 76% as of 2016 |
| Largest immigrant group | People from the United Kingdom |
| Percentage of senior leaders with Anglo-Celtic or European background | 95% |
| Percentage of population with non-European and Indigenous backgrounds | 24% |
| Percentage of population with Australian ancestry | 29.9% |
| Percentage of population with North-West European ancestry | 46% |
| Percentage of population with Southern and Eastern European ancestry | 11.2% |
| Percentage of population that speaks English at home | 80% (excluding Aboriginal Australians and first-generation immigrants) |
| Percentage of population with no religion | 38.9% |
| Percentage of population that follows Christianity | 43.9% |
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What You'll Learn
European Australians and their ancestry
European Australians are citizens or residents of Australia whose ancestry is wholly or partially European. They form the largest panethnic group in the country, with 57.2% of the population identifying as having European ancestry in the 2021 census. This includes 46% North-West European and 11.2% Southern and Eastern European. The proportion of Australians with European ancestry is likely to be higher than census data suggests, as many people nominating their ancestry as "Australian" are likely to be of Anglo-Celtic or European descent.
The history of European Australian ancestry begins with the arrival of British settlers in 1788. The earliest colonists from England often held positions of power and helped to make laws, as many had been involved in government back in their home country. The first Australian settlers mostly came from London, the Midlands, the North of England, and Ireland. Throughout the 19th century, settlers arrived from all parts of the United Kingdom and Ireland, with significant numbers also coming from the Southwest and Southeast of England, Ireland, and Scotland. By 1888, 60% of the Australian population had been born in Australia, and almost all had British ancestral origins. Of the remaining 40%, 34% had been born in the British Isles, and 6% were of European origin, mainly from Germany and Scandinavia.
Following World War II, Australia experienced a large wave of immigration from across Europe, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe. This was due in part to a shift in perspective after narrowly preventing a Japanese invasion, leading to the belief that the country must "populate or perish". While Australia had previously viewed itself as largely of British and Irish ancestry, it now looked to the success of the United States, which had become a global power thanks in part to its creation of a European diaspora. This new wave of immigration brought not only traditional migrants from the United Kingdom but also large numbers of Southern, Central, and Eastern Europeans.
Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, Australia has officially pursued a policy of multiculturalism, and there has been a large and continuing wave of immigration from across the world. Asia has been the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century, with Indian Australians comprising the second-largest Asian Australian ancestry group, at 3.1% of the total population. Italian Australians are the largest non-Anglo-Celtic European ethnic group, with 4.4% of the population claiming Italian ancestry in the 2021 census, followed by German Australians at 4%.
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The White Australia policy
The discovery of gold in Australia in 1851 led to an influx of immigrants from around the world, including a large number of Chinese migrant labourers. This caused alarm among European labourers, who believed that the rising population of Chinese immigrants threatened their job security and the racial makeup of the country. The first race-based anti-immigration policy was passed in 1855 to restrict the number of Chinese immigrants, followed by legislation targeting other non-white groups such as Pacific Islanders.
Since the end of the White Australia Policy, Australia has pursued an official policy of multiculturalism, and there has been a large and continuing wave of immigration from across the world. Asia is now the largest source of immigrants to Australia, and the country is recognized for its cultural diversity, with a significant portion of the population being foreign-born or having immigrant backgrounds. Efforts to address historical injustices faced by Indigenous Australians and to promote racial equality continue to evolve in Australian society.
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Australia's immigration and multiculturalism
Australia has experienced significant changes in its demographics and cultural identity since World War II, shifting from a predominantly monocultural society to one of the world's most multicultural societies. The country's immigration policies and ethnic makeup have evolved, leading to a more diverse population and a shift away from the previous White Australia policy.
Historically, between 1788 and World War II, the majority of settlers and immigrants to Australia came from the British Isles, particularly England, Ireland, and Scotland. There was also notable immigration from China and Germany during the 19th century. However, the postwar years marked a major turning point, with the Australian government implementing a large-scale immigration program that attracted people from across Europe and, later, from non-European countries.
The Migration Act of 1958 and the Migration Act of 1966 played pivotal roles in dismantling the White Australia policy. These legislative changes allowed non-European migrants to apply for citizenship and prioritized skills and qualifications over ethnicity in the selection process. As a result, the share of non-European immigrants, especially from Asia, began to increase, and Australia witnessed a significant wave of immigration from across the globe.
Today, Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants comprising about 30% of the total population as of 2019. Asia is now the largest source of immigrants to Australia in the 21st century. Sydney, in particular, has been described as the most multicultural city in the country, with a diverse range of communities and cultural expressions.
While Australia's transition to a multicultural society has brought benefits and appreciation for diversity, it has also faced challenges. Some Australians have experienced alienation and discrimination, and debates around immigration have persisted, with some opposition to multiculturalism policies. Nonetheless, Australia's official embrace of multiculturalism since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973 has shaped the country's modern identity and society.
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Indigenous Australians and their resistance
Australia has a diverse range of people, with 29.8% of its population born overseas as of 2020. The country has pursued an official policy of multiculturalism since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, and Asia is the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century.
Now, focusing on Indigenous Australians and their resistance:
Indigenous Australians have a long history of resistance and advocacy for their rights, dating back to the early years of European colonisation. The Australian frontier wars, which began in the early 19th century, were a result of conflict over land and resources between Indigenous Australians and British settlers. This period saw significant violence, including massacres and the occupation or destruction of Indigenous lands and food sources, leading to starvation and disease among the Indigenous population.
The Indigenous resistance was often localised, with groups of Indigenous Australians employing guerilla-like tactics against the better-armed Europeans. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, they achieved notable successes, such as in the "Black War" in Tasmania, where over 50 British settlers were killed between 1828 and 1830.
In the 20th century, Indigenous Australians continued to organise and advocate for their rights. The Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association (AAPA), formed in 1924, was the country's first politically organised First Nations activist group. They campaigned for land rights and governance, and supported victims of human rights abuses.
First Nations political movements have continued to fight for land rights, self-determination, and equality. The Indigenous protest movement has achieved successes, including changes to the Constitution following the 1967 referendum. The Torres Strait Maritime Strike in the late 1930s also led to the repeal of restrictive legislation and the recognition of Torres Strait Islanders' right to vote and elect their representatives.
Indigenous Australians have demonstrated remarkable resilience and tenacity in their resistance and advocacy for their rights, despite historically being denied influence over policymaking. Their struggle for recognition and justice continues, with ongoing calls for representation and participation in decisions affecting their lives.
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White Australians in positions of power
Australia has a long history of white people holding positions of power, often to the detriment of non-white groups. From the late 1800s to 1973, the country pursued a White Australia policy, which aimed to create a "white/British" ideal focused on Anglo-Celtic peoples. This policy was enforced through various discriminatory acts, such as the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, which imposed a dictation test in any European language for non-European migrants, effectively giving immigration officers the power to restrict immigration as they saw fit. The Pacific Island Labourers Act 1901 and the Postal and Telegraph Services Act 1901 further limited access to Australia for non-white migrants by outlawing the use of imported labour and requiring ships carrying mail to and from Australia to hire only white crew members.
The White Australia policy was driven by racist attitudes towards non-white groups, including Indigenous Australians, who were considered intellectually, morally, and culturally inferior to white people. This belief in white superiority led to the perception that non-white groups were a threat to the stability of the white population, as they could steal employment opportunities and lower wages. The policy had a significant impact on the demographics of the country, with the Asian population shrinking from 1.25% in 1901 to around 0.21% by the late 1940s.
After World War II, the Chifley government's immigration minister, Arthur Calwell, began to relax the policy, allowing refugees from continental Europe, including the "beautiful Balts," to immigrate to Australia. This marked the beginning of the gradual dismantling of the White Australia policy, which was officially eliminated in the 1970s by the Whitlam government with the introduction of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.
Despite the end of the White Australia policy, the percentage of Australians with European backgrounds has continued to decline since the 1960s and 1970s, and Australia has become increasingly diverse. In 2019, 30% of the Australian resident population, or 7,529,570 people, were born overseas, with Asia being the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. However, some groups, such as the organization "White Australia," continue to advocate for the preservation and advancement of white people in the country, demonstrating that the legacy of white supremacy and the desire to maintain power and privilege continue to persist for some.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia has pursued an official policy of multiculturalism since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973. The country has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population. In 2021, 57.2% of Australians identified as having European ancestry, with 46% of those being of North-West European descent and 11.2% of Southern and Eastern European descent.
Between 1788 and the Second World War, most settlers and immigrants came from the British Isles, with significant immigration from China and Germany during the 19th century. In the decades after the Second World War, Australia received a large wave of immigration from across Europe. Since the end of the White Australia policy, Asia has been the largest source of immigrants.
White Australians with European roots still occupy most senior leadership positions in the country. A 2018 report by the Australian Human Rights Commission found that while those with non-European and Indigenous backgrounds make up an estimated 24% of the population, they only account for 5% of senior leaders.
