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Indonesia and Australia share a maritime border, and Indonesians have been living and working in Australia since the 1750s. Despite this proximity, Australia's Indonesian diaspora community is relatively small. In 2016, the Indonesian-born population of Victoria was estimated to be 17,806, while the City of Melbourne is home to one of the largest Indonesian communities in Victoria, with 2,203 people. In Western Australia, the Indonesian-born population has diverse religious beliefs, with the most common responses in a 2016 census being Catholic (23.8%), Islam (23.2%), and No Religion (9.2%). The most common occupations for Indonesians in Western Australia are professionals (24.3%), labourers (17.2%), and clerical and administrative workers (13.7%).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 2016 |
| Location | Western Australia |
| Population | N/A |
| Place of birth | Indonesia |
| Religion | Catholic 23.8%, Islam 23.2%, No Religion 9.2%, Christian 8.9%, Buddhism 6.3% |
| Language | 18.0% spoke English only at home, 74.4% spoke another language but also spoke English very well or well |
| Education | 24.2% reported having completed Year 12 as their highest level of educational attainment, 6.4% had completed a Certificate III or IV, 10.8% had completed an Advanced Diploma or Diploma |
| Employment | 49.1% worked full-time, 35.6% worked part-time, 11.4% were unemployed |
| Occupation | Professionals 24.3%, Labourers 17.2%, Clerical and Administrative Workers 13.7%, Community and Personal Service Workers 12.1%, Technicians and Trades Workers 9.6% |
| Industry | Cafes and Restaurants 6.4%, Takeaway Food Services 3.6%, Accommodation 3.5%, Building and Other Industrial Cleaning Services 3.3%, Aged Care Residential Services 3.2% |
| Income | Personal weekly median income was $526, Family median weekly income was $1,724, Household median weekly income was $1,668 |
| Travel to work | 64.6% travelled by car, 13.4% travelled by bus or train |
| Citizenship | 36.9% were Australian citizens |
| Spouse/Partner | 71.4% had a spouse or partner who was born overseas, 22.8% had a spouse or partner born in Australia |
| Year of arrival in Australia | 24.0% arrived from 2011-2016, 20.1% from 2006-2010 |
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What You'll Learn
Indonesians in Western Australia by religion
In the 2016 Census, there were 11,396 people in Western Australia who were born in Indonesia. Of these, 39.7% were male, and 60.3% were female. The median age of people in Western Australia who were born in Indonesia was 36 years. The most common occupations for Indonesians in Western Australia were professionals (24.3%), labourers (17.2%), clerical and administrative workers (13.7%), community and personal service workers (12.1%), and technicians and trade workers (9.6%).
Regarding religion, the most common responses from Indonesians in Western Australia were Catholic (23.8%), Islam (23.2%), no religion (9.2%), Christian, nfd (8.9%), and Buddhism (6.3%). It is worth noting that while Islam is the majority religion in Indonesia, Muslims are the minority among Indonesians in Australia. This may be partly due to the lack of Indonesian mosques in the country.
The Indonesian community in Western Australia has a strong work ethic, with 49.1% working full-time and 35.6% working part-time. The personal weekly median income for those born in Indonesia was $526, while the family and household median weekly incomes were $1,724 and $1,668, respectively. In terms of education, 24.2% had completed Year 12 as their highest level of educational attainment, 6.4% had a Certificate III or IV, and 10.8% had an Advanced Diploma or Diploma. Additionally, 27.4% were attending an educational institution.
Many Indonesians in Western Australia are either foreign students or workers, with a significant number being of Chinese Indonesian heritage. The state has a long history of engagement with Indonesia, dating back to the 1870s when Indonesian workers were recruited for the pearling and sugarcane industries. While most of these migrants returned after the enactment of the White Australia Policy, new waves of Indonesian migration occurred in the 1950s, 1980s, and 1990s, contributing to the diverse and vibrant community we see today.
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Indonesians in Western Australia by occupation
According to the 2001 Australian census, 15.5% of Indonesian-born people living in Australia resided in Western Australia. While the exact number of Indonesians living in Western Australia is unclear, the Indonesian-Australian community increased to 12,128 between 1986 and 1996. In 2011, 48,836 Australian residents declared Indonesian ancestry, while 63,160 stated they were born in Indonesia.
In Western Australia, the most common occupations for people born in Indonesia as of 2016 were professionals (24.3%), labourers (17.2%), clerical and administrative workers (13.7%), community and personal service workers (12.1%), and technicians and trade workers (9.6%). The most common industries of employment were cafes and restaurants (6.4%), takeaway food services (3.6%), accommodation (3.5%), building and other industrial cleaning services (3.3%), and aged care residential services (3.2%).
The personal weekly median income for Indonesians in Western Australia was $526, while the family median weekly income was $1,724, and the household median weekly income was $1,668. In terms of education, 24.2% of Indonesians in Western Australia had completed Year 12 as their highest level of educational attainment, 6.4% had completed a Certificate III or IV, and 10.8% had completed an Advanced Diploma or Diploma.
Many Indonesian residents of Australia are either foreign students or workers, with a large number being of Chinese-Indonesian heritage. The Cocos Malays, for instance, are descendants of native Indonesians brought to work in the 19th-century copra industry.
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Indonesians in Western Australia by industry of employment
According to the 2016 Australian Census, the most common industries of employment for Indonesians in Western Australia were cafes and restaurants (6.4%), takeaway food services (3.6%), accommodation (3.5%), building and other industrial cleaning services (3.3%), and aged care residential services (3.2%). The census also revealed that 49.1% of Indonesians in Western Australia worked full-time, 35.6% worked part-time, and 11.4% were unemployed.
The 2016 census also provided insights into the travel habits of employed Indonesians in Western Australia, with 64.6% travelling to work by car and 13.4% using public transport such as buses or trains. The census also highlighted the prevalence of unpaid domestic work among this community, with 70.0% of Indonesians in Western Australia engaging in such activities in the week before the census. Additionally, 37.6% of this group cared for children in the two weeks preceding the census.
In terms of housing, the census showed that 75.3% of Indonesians in Western Australia lived in separate houses, 7.8% in flats or apartments, and 16.3% in semi-detached or terrace houses. The majority (48.9%) lived in dwellings with four or more bedrooms. Regarding home ownership, 26.6% owned their homes outright, while 44.4% were purchasing their properties.
It is worth noting that the Indonesian community in Australia has grown over the years. Between 1986 and 1996, the Indonesian-Australian community increased to 12,128 members. In 2011, 48,836 Australian residents declared Indonesian ancestry, while 63,160 stated they were born in Indonesia. As of 2016, 15.5% of Indonesian-born people in Australia resided in Western Australia, indicating a significant presence in the region.
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Indonesians in Western Australia by language
According to the 2011 Australian Census, 48,836 Australian residents declared Indonesian ancestry, while 63,160 stated they were born in Indonesia. Despite Indonesia and Australia sharing a maritime border, Australia's Indonesian diaspora community is relatively small.
In Western Australia, of the population born in Indonesia, 18.0% spoke English only at home. Meanwhile, 74.4% spoke another language but also spoke English very well or well. Indonesian is the fastest-growing language in Western Australian schools, in terms of the number of students studying it. In 1994, fewer than 50 schools offered Indonesian as a subject choice. By 1997, the number of schools offering Indonesian had almost tripled. Last year, 30,351 WA school students studied Indonesian in government schools.
In Western Australia, the most common occupations for Indonesians are: professionals (24.3%), labourers (17.2%), clerical and administrative workers (13.7%), community and personal service workers (12.1%), and technicians and trade workers (9.6%). The most common industries of employment are cafes and restaurants (6.4%), takeaway food services (3.6%), accommodation (3.5%), building and other industrial cleaning services (3.3%), and aged care residential services (3.2%).
The personal weekly median income for Indonesians in Western Australia is $526. The family median weekly income is $1,724, and the household median weekly income is $1,668. Of the population born in Indonesia who usually live in Western Australia, 24.2% reported having completed Year 12 as their highest level of educational attainment, 6.4% had completed a Certificate III or IV, and 10.8% had completed an Advanced Diploma or Diploma.
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Indonesians in Western Australia by education level
According to the 2011 Australian Census, 48,836 Australian residents declared Indonesian ancestry, while 63,160 stated they were born in Indonesia. However, the Indonesian diaspora community in Australia is relatively small, ranking as the 19th most popular destination for Indonesian migrants.
In Western Australia, the educational attainment of Indonesians varies. As of 2016, 4.1% were in primary school, 5.9% in secondary school, and 14.2% in tertiary or technical institutions. Notably, 24.2% had completed Year 12 as their highest level of education, with 6.4% holding a Certificate III or IV, and 10.8% attaining an Advanced Diploma or Diploma.
The Indonesian language is gaining popularity in Western Australian schools, with it being the fastest-growing language in terms of student numbers. The Education Department of Western Australia's (EDWA) LOTE 2000 policy aims to increase the number of students studying foreign languages, and Indonesian is a popular choice due to its perceived ease of learning.
Historically, the migration of Indonesians to Australia has been influenced by various factors, including trade, education, and labour opportunities. Many Indonesian residents in Australia are foreign students or workers, with a significant number being of Chinese Indonesian heritage. Additionally, the practice of "'Merantau' in Indonesian culture encourages young adults to travel abroad and gain knowledge and life experiences.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2016, 36.9% of Indonesians living in Western Australia were Australian citizens. The most common occupations for Indonesians in Western Australia are professionals (24.3%), labourers (17.2%), clerical and administrative workers (13.7%), community and personal service workers (12.1%), and technicians and trade workers (9.6%).
The religious beliefs of Indonesians in Western Australia vary. The most common responses to the religion question in the 2016 Census were Catholic (23.8%), Islam (23.2%), no religion (9.2%), Christian (8.9%), and Buddhism (6.3%).
Indonesians in Western Australia have varying levels of English language proficiency. In the 2016 Census, 18.0% spoke English only at home, while 74.4% spoke another language but also spoke English very well or well.
