Lexi Webster
Australia has a diverse culture, shaped by its history of immigration. Since the arrival of British colonists in 1788, the majority of Australians have been of European descent, with a significant proportion having British ancestry. In 1888, 60% of Australians were born in Australia, with British ancestral origins. While the proportion of Australians with European ancestry has declined in recent years, English Australians continue to be the largest self-identified ancestry group in the country, with 33% of the population claiming English ancestry in the 2021 census. Australia has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with 31.5% of its population born overseas as of June 2024.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Australians with British ancestry | 33% (2021 census) |
| Australians with English ancestry | 33% (2021 census) |
| Australians with European ancestry | 57.2% (including 46% North-West European and 11.2% Southern and Eastern European) |
| Australians with Anglo-Celtic ancestry | 98% (1901 and 1945 census) |
| Australians born in Australia | 60% (1888), 18.6 million (June 2024) |
| Australians born overseas | 31.5% (June 2024) |
| Australians with indigenous ancestry | A smaller proportion |
| Primary language | English |
| Official language | None |
| De facto national language | English |
| Official religion | None |
| Largest religion | No religion |
| Population | 27,973,200 (9 August 2025) |
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What You'll Learn
Australian nationality and citizenship
Australia has a diverse culture, owing to its history of immigration. The country has pursued an official policy of multiculturalism since the postwar period and is home to the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population in 2019.
The majority of Australians have European ancestry, with 57.2% of the population falling within this category. Of these, 46% are of North-West European descent, and 11.2% are of Southern and Eastern European descent. Anglo-Celtic Australians, who are of British and Irish descent, are the largest statistical grouping and have been highly influential in shaping the nation's character.
Historically, the vast majority of settlers and immigrants came from the British Isles, particularly England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. Between 1788 and 1850, 160,000 convicts arrived in Australia, with 80,000 of them from England. By the mid-1840s, the number of free settlers, who came predominantly from London, the Midlands, and the North of England, overtook the convict population. During the 19th century, 75% of overseas-born people in Australia were from the British Isles, and by 1901, Australians of English ancestry made up more than 50% of the population. From 1922, the Empire Settlement Act facilitated the migration of thousands of people from England, and after World War II, English citizens had almost unrestricted entry into Australia.
Over time, Australia's population has become more diverse, with increasing immigration from other countries. In 1973, preferences for citizens from other Commonwealth countries and restrictions on non-European migrants were abolished. In 2021, 33% of the population stated they had English ancestry, while the proportion of Australia's population born overseas increased to 31.5% in 2024, up from 23.8% in 2004. The top countries of birth for overseas-born residents in Australia as of June 2024 were England, India, China, and New Zealand.
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British settlement in Australia
Australia has a long history of British settlement, dating back to the late 18th century. The British settlement of Australia began in 1788 when the British government established New South Wales as a penal colony, with the colony formally proclaimed by Governor Phillip on 7 February 1788 at Sydney Cove, now known as Sydney. This marked the beginning of the Colonial period in Australia, which lasted until 1901. During this time, the majority of settlers and immigrants to Australia came from the British Isles, particularly England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland.
In the early years of the colony, most European settlers in Australia were convicts sent by the British government. Between 1788 and 1850, around 160,000 convicts were transported to Australia, with the majority arriving in New South Wales. However, by the mid-1840s, the number of free settlers had overtaken the convict population. The British colonial government encouraged free settlement by offering to pay transportation costs and providing free land and agricultural tools to settlers. Many early free settlers in Australia were prosperous and were able to pay their own way, but the government's offer also appealed to those suffering from unemployment and poverty in Britain due to the Industrial Revolution.
English Australians, or Anglo-Australians, are Australians whose ancestry originates wholly or partly in England. They constitute the largest self-identified ancestry group in Australia, with 33% of the population reporting English ancestry in the 2021 census. English settlers have been the largest group of migrants to Australia since the establishment of the Colony of New South Wales in 1788. English Australians have had a significant influence on the country's history and culture, with all Australian Prime Ministers to date having at least partial English ancestry.
The cultural divergence and evolution that has occurred since the British settlement have resulted in the development of a distinctive Australian culture and identity. While Australia has pursued an official policy of multiculturalism since the postwar period, the influence of British settlement can still be felt in the country's demographics and cultural traditions. In 2024, around 31.5% of Australia's population was born overseas, with England being one of the countries of birth with the largest populations.
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English Australians
English settlers more often came from the South than the North of England. Australians of English ancestry made up more than 50% of the population at the time of Federation (1901). From 1922, the Empire Settlement Act assisted thousands of migrants from England. After the Second World War, even as immigration from other countries expanded dramatically, English citizens had almost unrestricted entry into Australia. The majority of England-born migrants received assisted passages until the scheme was abolished in 1982.
In 1978, Australians of predominantly English ancestry made up over 45% of the population. English ancestry was reported by 6.6 million people (46%) in 1986 and 6.4 million (37%) in 2001. While the English-born continue to be well-represented among immigrants to Australia, the overall decline of English immigration to Australia since the 1980s has meant that the English-born are declining as a proportion of immigrants to Australia.
Regardless, Australian society continues to be influenced by its strong English heritage. This is evident in place names, Australia's common law legal system, popular dishes such as fish and chips and Sunday roast, and English as Australia's national language. Sydney, for example, has at least 50 suburban names derived directly from 20 English counties, with the largest numbers from Kent, Surrey and London.
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Immigration to Australia
Australia has a long history of immigration, which has played a significant role in shaping the country's culture and demographics. The first migration of humans to the Australian continent occurred around 65,000 years ago, with people migrating from the islands of Maritime Southeast Asia and Papua New Guinea as part of the early human migration out of Africa.
In more recent times, the story of immigration to Australia begins with the arrival of European settlers in 1788, when the British government established New South Wales as a penal colony. Between 1788 and 1868, approximately 165,000 convicts were transported to Australia, the majority of whom were English. During this period, free settlers also migrated to Australia, with the numbers of freeborn settlers overtaking the convict population by the mid-1840s. The Gold Rush era, beginning in 1851, led to another wave of immigration, including large numbers of British and Irish settlers, followed by smaller groups of Germans, other Europeans, and Chinese immigrants.
Throughout the 19th century, at least 75% of overseas-born people in Australia were from the British Isles, with significant numbers also coming from China and Germany. By 1888, 60% of the Australian population had been born in Australia, and almost all had British ancestral origins. The census of 1901 showed that 98% of Australians had Anglo-Celtic ancestral origins, reflecting the dominant influence of British immigration on the country's demographic makeup.
In the decades following World War II, Australia experienced a significant shift in its immigration patterns. Large waves of immigrants arrived from across Europe, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe, marking a departure from the predominantly Anglo-Celtic immigration of previous decades. This period also saw the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, which had restricted non-White settlement. Since then, Australia has pursued an official policy of multiculturalism, and immigration from Asia has become the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century.
Today, Australia continues to be a popular destination for immigrants from around the world, with a net overseas migration of 536,000 people in 2022-23. The country's estimated resident population as of June 2024 was 27.2 million people, including 8.6 million people born overseas, representing 31.5% of the total population. England, India, China, and New Zealand are among the top countries of birth for Australia's overseas-born population.
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Australian culture and identity
Historically, Australia's Indigenous population, comprising Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, has had a significant influence on the country's culture and identity. Their diverse languages and philosophies form the oldest surviving culture on Earth, dating back at least 40,000 years. The arrival of British settlers in 1788 introduced Western civilisation to the continent, laying the foundations for democratic institutions and the rule of law, as well as introducing English literature, Western art and music, and Judeo-Christian ethics. The convict heritage of many early settlers influenced their perceptions of the environment, marked by a sense of exile and alienation.
Since its establishment as a penal colony, Australia has been characterised by waves of immigration, with people from around the world settling in its cities and towns. Between 1788 and the Second World War, the majority of immigrants originated from the British Isles, particularly England, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland, resulting in a predominantly Anglo-Celtic population well into the 20th century. However, there was also significant immigration from other countries, including China, Germany, and Scandinavia, contributing to Australia's growing multiculturalism.
Following World War II, Australia experienced a substantial influx of immigrants from over 200 nations, further enriching its cultural landscape. The post-war period was marked by increased immigration from continental Europe, with Italian and Greek Australians becoming prominent groups. Additionally, the relaxation of immigration rules in the second half of the 20th century led to large influxes of immigrants and refugees from East Asia, the Middle East, and other European countries, diversifying Australia's cultural fabric.
Today, Australia is recognised for its easy-going attitude and laid-back lifestyle, with a strong emphasis on mateship and community. The Australian passion for nature and the outdoors is reflected in their love for sports, beach culture, and appreciation of the country's diverse natural landscapes. Australian culture is also heavily influenced by global movements, including American pop culture, cinema, and sports such as surfing.
In conclusion, Australian culture and identity are shaped by a complex interplay of factors, including its Indigenous heritage, historical immigration patterns, and global influences. The nation's diversity and multiculturalism are celebrated through food, events, art, and history, contributing to a unique and evolving Australian identity.
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Frequently asked questions
No, the majority of people in Australia are Australian-born. As of June 2024, the population of Australia was 27.2 million, with 18.6 million born in Australia and 8.6 million born overseas. However, many Australians have British ancestry. In the 2021 census, 8,385,928 people, or 33% of the population, stated that they had English ancestry.
English is the de facto national language of Australia and is spoken in the homes of 72% of the population. However, Australian English has a distinctive accent and lexicon and differs slightly from other English varieties in grammar and spelling.
As of 9 August 2025, Australia's population is estimated to be 27,973,200. It is the 54th most populous country in the world and the most populous Oceanian country.
