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Jews have been part of Australian history since 1788, with at least eight Jewish convicts arriving on the First Fleet. Over the next 60 years, more than 1,000 people of Jewish descent were sent to Australia as convicts. Since then, the Jewish community in Australia has grown and thrived, with members participating in various professions, including business, law, politics, and the arts. They have also established strong educational institutions, with Jewish day schools and several state schools offering Jewish studies. The community has faced challenges, including discrimination and anti-Semitism, but has persevered and continues to play an important role in the country's social and political landscape.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Jews in Australia | 113,200 (2025) or 120,000 (2024) |
| Percentage of Australian Population | 0.4% |
| Main Cities | Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, Hobart |
| Number of Synagogues | 81 |
| Number of Jewish Day Schools | 18 |
| Number of Students in Jewish Schools | 13,000 |
| Number of Hebrew Speakers | Increased by 23.6% from 2006 to 2011 |
| Number of French Speakers | Increased by 12.7% from 2006 to 2011 |
| Number of Governors-General | 2 |
| Senior Leadership Positions in Military | Several |
| Special Envoy to Address Anti-Semitism | Appointed in 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
Jewish Australians in politics and leadership
Jewish Australians have been a part of the Australian parliament since federation. In 2016, a record number of six MPs identified as Jewish. This number rose to seven when Kerryn Phelps won the 2018 Wentworth by-election, but it dropped back to six following the 2019 Australian federal election.
Jewish Australians have participated in numerous professions, including business, law, and politics, and many fields of the arts (especially theatre, music, and literature). The Jewish community has been a part of Australian history since 1788. At least eight Jewish convicts came on the First Fleet, and over a thousand more people of Jewish descent were sent to Australia as convicts over the next 60 years. In addition, Jewish free settlers arrived in Australia as early as the 1820s. By 1901, there were over 15,000 Jews in Australia, most of whom were emigrants from Britain. However, prejudice and discrimination in mainland Europe in the early 20th century led to many Polish, Russian, and German Jews migrating to Australia. This trend heightened following World War II and the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Jewish people.
Today, there are various synagogues, Jewish museums, and educational institutions catering to the diverse interests, beliefs, and traditions of the Jewish community in Australia. The Perth Hebrew Congregation, also known as the Perth Synagogue, has more members than all the other synagogues combined in Perth and thus caters to the majority of the Jewish population in the region. The National Archives of Australia also holds many records documenting the Jewish experience in Australia, particularly during the 20th century.
The Jewish Council of Australia, comprising Jewish academics, human rights lawyers, teachers, writers, and employees of Jewish cultural institutions, was formed in response to the rise in racism and antisemitism in Australia and overseas. Notable Jewish Australians in leadership positions outside of politics include Aviva, a publisher at the University of Queensland Press; Michael Edwards, an anthropologist of religion, politics, and media; and Matthew Zagor, an Associate Professor at the ANU College of Law.
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Jewish immigration to Australia
Jewish people have been part of Australian history since 1788, when the First Fleet arrived. This first fleet included at least eight Jewish convicts, with over a thousand more Jewish convicts arriving over the next 60 years. In addition, Jewish free settlers arrived in Australia as early as the 1820s. By 1901, there were an estimated 15,000 Jews in Australia, most of whom were emigrants from Britain. However, prejudice and discrimination in mainland Europe in the early 20th century led to an influx of Polish, Russian, and German Jews migrating to Australia.
The gold rush of the 1850s attracted more Jewish immigrants, and foreign-born Jews soon outnumbered the native-born. Many of these immigrants initially settled in rural locations, but fear of assimilation caused most Australian Jews to consolidate in cities by the end of the century. The rapidly growing Sydney community soon required larger facilities, and in 1878, the Great Synagogue was built. It was widely considered the most impressive place of worship in Australia at the time.
Following World War I, another wave of Jewish immigrants arrived in Australia, and this stream became a flood when Hitler rose to power in Germany in 1933. The Australian government was hesitant to accept so many immigrants, but in 1938, they allotted 15,000 visas for "victims of oppression." About 7,000 Jews took advantage of these visas before the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
After World War II, around 25,000 Jewish refugees migrated to Australia between 1945 and 1961, reinforcing the Australian Jewish community, which numbered about 23,000 in 1933. The resettlement of these refugees was aided by the JDC (Jewish Distribution Committee), who provided financing for resettlement, including hostel accommodations, English classes, employment assistance, and interest-free loans to establish businesses.
Today, Australia is home to about 120,000 Jews, with a strong and diverse Jewish community. There are Jewish sites across the country, including synagogues of all streams, notably the historic Great Synagogue of Sydney and the Hobart Synagogue. Jewish museums in Sydney, Melbourne, and every state capital, as well as Canberra, contain notable collections of Jewish artifacts and Holocaust material.
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Jewish education in Australia
Jewish people have been a part of Australian history since 1788, with at least eight Jewish convicts arriving on the First Fleet. Over the next 60 years, more than a thousand people of Jewish descent were sent to Australia as convicts, and free Jewish settlers began arriving in the 1820s. By 1901, there were over 15,000 Jews in Australia, with most emigrants coming from Britain. However, in the early 20th century, many Polish, Russian, and German Jews migrated to Australia due to prejudice and discrimination in mainland Europe. This trend continued after World War II, with Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied Europe and the horrors of the Holocaust.
Today, there are Jewish sites and communities across Australia, including synagogues, museums, and schools. The leading communal organization for the Australian Jewish community is the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), which works closely with the United Jewish Education Board (UJEB) to provide Jewish education to students who do not attend Jewish day schools. There are 19 Jewish schools throughout Australia, accommodating 10,000 students in foundation year-to-year 12 programs and an additional 3,000 students in early learning activities. These schools include the Perth Hebrew Congregation, the oldest congregation in Australia, founded over 110 years ago, and the Adass Israel School in Melbourne, founded in 1952.
Jewish day schools in Australia can be expensive, so many Jewish students attend state schools instead. Several state schools, particularly in Sydney, have a large number of Jewish students and offer Hebrew or Jewish Studies as elective courses. The Boards of Jewish Education, such as the NSW Board of Jewish Education and the United Jewish Education Board, attend to the Jewish educational needs of these students. Additionally, universities like the University of Sydney and Monash University in Melbourne offer full Jewish Studies departments, allowing students to study a range of Jewish-related topics.
Adult Jewish education is also popular in Australia, with programs like the Melton Adult Education Program offering a variety of courses linked to the Hebrew University. Overall, Jewish education in Australia is well-established and supported by a network of schools, universities, and community organizations.
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Australian government's stance on antisemitism
The Australian government has taken a strong stance against antisemitism, condemning words and acts of hate directed at Jewish people. The government recognizes that attacks on Jewish homes, businesses, and places of worship are an affront to Australian values and has committed to improving safety and security at Australian Jewish community sites, allocating over $78 million for this purpose. The Albanese Government has also taken steps to criminalize doxxing and the public display of Nazi symbols, as well as expanding the offenses for praising terrorism.
The Australian government has a close relationship with Israel, which is supported by the active Jewish community in the country. This relationship dates back to 1949 when the Australian government of Ben Chifley recognized Israel. Over the years, the Australian government has granted refugee status to Jewish people fleeing persecution, such as during World War II and for Iraqi Jews in 1969.
To address the rise of antisemitism in the country, the Australian government has established a national database to track and improve responses to antisemitic and other hate crimes. This decision reflects the joint commitment of all Australian governments to tackle antisemitism and promote unity. The government has also set up Special Operation Avalite, in collaboration with ASIO and state and territory police, to investigate threats, violence, and hatred towards the Australian Jewish community and parliamentarians.
The Australian government's stance on antisemitism is clear in its efforts to combat and condemn hatred and discrimination against Jewish people. Through legislation, education, and collaboration with the Jewish community, the government aims to create a safer and more inclusive environment for all Australians.
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Australian government's stance on Jewish immigration
The Australian government's stance on Jewish immigration has evolved over time, with the country playing a role in providing refuge for Jewish people fleeing persecution and welcoming those seeking to build a new life.
Jewish people have been part of Australian history since 1788, with Jewish convicts and free settlers arriving from the late 18th century onwards. By 1901, there were an estimated 15,000 Jews in Australia, primarily from Britain. However, in the early 20th century, rising prejudice and discrimination in Europe led to an influx of Polish, Russian, and German Jews migrating to Australia. This trend intensified after World War II, with hundreds of thousands of Jewish people displaced during the war.
During the lead-up to World War II, the Australian government's stance on Jewish immigration was hesitant. While there was considerable sympathy for the plight of the Jewish people, policymakers were not enthusiastic about facilitating their entry into the country. The government insisted that the reception and integration of refugees was the responsibility of the Jewish community already in Australia. This stance led to a series of discriminatory policies aimed at restricting the number of Jewish migrants. Despite these challenges, the Australian Jewish community, together with organisations like the Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), played a crucial role in resettling Holocaust survivors.
Following World War II, from 1945 to 1961, around 25,000 Jewish refugees migrated to Australia, joining the existing Australian Jewish community, which numbered about 23,000 in 1933. The Australian government's position shifted, and it began to allow select Egyptian Jews to enter the country after the 1956 Suez Crisis. This change was influenced by overtures from Jewish communities, and the government eventually dropped its previous stance on the entry of Mizrahi Jews. Similarly, in 1969, when Iraqi Jews faced persecution, the Australian government granted them refugee status.
Today, Australia maintains a warm and close relationship with Israel, supported by its active Jewish community. The Australian government has defended its record on combating anti-Semitism and has taken steps to address hate speech and improve security for Jewish institutions.
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Frequently asked questions
I cannot find specific information on the number of Jews in the Australian government. However, it is known that Jews have played a significant role in Australian leadership, with many holding senior positions in the country's military and two Jewish Australians serving as governors-general.
Approximately 113,200 Jews live in Australia, out of a total population of nearly 25 million. This number has increased since 2012, with estimates now placing the figure at 120,000.
The vast majority of Australian Jews live in Sydney and Melbourne, with smaller communities in Perth, Brisbane, Canberra, Adelaide, and Hobart.
Jewish people have been part of Australian history since 1788, with at least eight Jewish convicts arriving on the First Fleet. Over the next 60 years, more than 15,000 people of Jewish descent were sent to Australia as convicts, and free Jewish settlers began arriving in the 1820s. Waves of Jewish immigration continued, particularly following World War I, World War II, and the Holocaust.
Israel and Australia have maintained diplomatic relations since the Australian government recognized Israel in 1949. The two countries have a close relationship, with economic cooperation and support for each other during times of conflict.
