Damon Mcknight
Australia is a secular country with no official religion. The country's religious landscape is diverse, with a variety of faiths and beliefs coexisting. While Christianity is the most common religion, with around 40% identifying as Christian as per the 2021 census, there has been a notable decline from over 50% in 2016 and 60% in 2011. Conversely, the percentage of Australians reporting no religious affiliation continues to rise, with almost 40% in 2021, up from 30% in 2016. This shift is more pronounced among younger generations, who are less likely to affiliate with organised religions. Other religions, including Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Jainism, are growing but remain a small proportion of the population. Aboriginal beliefs and spirituality are also integral parts of Australia's religious tapestry, with a unique connection to the land and its ancient stories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest single religion | Western (Roman) Catholic |
| % of population identifying as Western (Roman) Catholic | 19.6% or 20% |
| Number of people identifying as Western (Roman) Catholic | 4,994,187 |
| Largest Christian denominations | Catholic, Anglican |
| % of population identifying as Anglican | 9.8% |
| % of population with no religion | 38.7% or 38.9% |
| Number of people with no religion | 10 million |
| % of people who did not answer the question on religion | 6.9% |
| % of population identifying as Christian | 43.9% |
| % of population identifying as Hindu | 2.7% |
| Number of people identifying as Hindu | 684,002 |
| % of population identifying as Muslim | 3.2% |
| Number of people identifying as Muslim | 813,392 |
| Number of people practising Australian Aboriginal traditional religions | 7,887 |
| Number of Buddhists | 615,800 |
| % of population identifying as Buddhist | 2.4% |
| Number of Jains | 4,050 |
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What You'll Learn
Christianity is the most common religion in Australia
The Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas are public holidays in Australia. The country also has a history of Christian involvement in Aboriginal affairs, with many churches apologising around the year 2000 for past failures to respect indigenous cultures. In the Torres Strait Islands, the Coming of the Light Festival celebrates the day Christian missionaries first arrived and introduced Christianity to the region.
While the Christian faiths in Australia are in slow decline, other religions are growing. The number of Muslims across all age groups in Australia has risen significantly, alongside the increase in the number of followers of most other religions. Hinduism has grown by 55.3% to 684,002 people, or 2.7% of the population. Buddhism is one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia, with immigration from Asia contributing to this growth. In addition, some people of non-Asian origin have also converted. Jainism is the fourth fastest-growing religion in Australia, recording 4,050 adherents in 2016 and growing at an average rate of 7.7% per year.
Despite the decline in Christianity, religious institutions and observances continue to play an important role in catering to the social, psychological, cultural, and spiritual needs of many Australians. There is still a large proportion of the population for whom religious beliefs are an important part of their identity and day-to-day life.
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Aboriginal beliefs and spirituality
The Dreaming includes the ancestral stories about supernatural creator-beings and how they created places. Each story can be called a "Dreaming", and the whole continent is criss-crossed by Dreamings or ancestral tracks, also represented by songlines. There are many different groups, each with its own culture, belief structure, and language. The Rainbow Serpent is a major dream spirit and creator-being for many Aboriginal people across Australia, and other well-known spirits include the Yowie and Bunyip.
Aboriginal spirituality is expressed through ceremonies, rituals, and paintings. Ceremonies are held often and for many different reasons, all based on the spiritual beliefs and cultural practices of the community. They include Dreaming stories, secret events at sacred sites, homecomings, births, and deaths. They are performed in Arnhem Land and Central Australia with the aim of ensuring a plentiful supply of food, and they play an important role in educating children and passing on spiritual beliefs and survival skills. Most include dance, song, rituals, and elaborate body decoration and/or costumes.
Aboriginal spirituality can adapt to include elements of other religions and even everyday objects. It is a feeling of oneness and belonging, with an emphasis on balance and ensuring the land continues to thrive.
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Islam is growing in Australia
Australia is a secular nation with no official religion. The country's religious landscape is diverse, with a significant Christian population and a growing number of people identifying with other faiths or no religion at all.
Islam is one of the religions that has been increasing in Australia. In the 2021 census, there were 813,392 Muslims in Australia, constituting 3.2% of the population. This is a notable increase from the 2006 census, which recorded 340,392 Muslims, and the 2016 census, which counted 604,235 individuals. The growth of Islam in Australia has been influenced by immigration from Muslim-majority countries, with 58% of Muslims in the country being born overseas as of the 2006 census. Lebanon and Turkey are significant sources of Muslim immigrants, with 9% and 7% of the Muslim population in 2006, respectively.
The history of Islam in Australia dates back to before British settlement in 1788, with Muslim fishermen from Makassar (present-day Indonesia) visiting North-Western Australia. In the 19th century, Muslim "Afghan" cameleers played a crucial role in transport and trade, establishing the first mosque in Marree, South Australia, in 1861. From the 1860s to the 1920s, around 2,000 cameleers from Afghanistan and what is now Pakistan contributed to the development of the Outback, with around 100 families remaining in the country.
The Muslim community in Australia has faced challenges, including issues related to women's rights and gender inequality, as well as concerns about radicalization and extremism. There have been efforts to promote inter-faith dialogue and address negative stereotypes, with the government establishing the Muslim Community Reference Group in 2005. Additionally, the growth of Islamic organizations and the development of Sharia-compliant financial products and halal certification authorities reflect the increasing presence of Islam in Australian society.
While Islam is growing in Australia, it is important to note that the country has a declining trend in overall religious affiliation. In 2021, almost half (48%) of Australians reported never attending religious services, and the proportion of Christians decreased from 63.9% in 2006 to 43.9% in 2021. At the same time, other religions like Buddhism, Hinduism, and Jainism are also experiencing growth, contributing to the religious diversity of the country.
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Hinduism is growing in Australia
Australia is a secular nation with no official religion. The country's religious profile has been shaped by waves of migration, and in the last census, Hinduism was the fastest-growing religion in the country.
Hinduism is the third-largest religion in Australia, with over 684,002 followers, constituting 2.7% of the population as of the 2021 census. This number has grown by 55.3% since the previous census, conducted in 2016. The growth of Hinduism in Australia is largely attributed to immigration, with the majority of Hindus in the country being of Indian origin. There are also Hindus from Sri Lanka, Fiji, Malaysia, Bali, Cham, Singapore, Mauritius, and Nepal. The Australian Hindu community is relatively young, with 34% under the age of 14 and 66% under the age of 34.
The history of Hinduism in Australia dates back to the nineteenth century when the British brought Hindus from India to work on cotton and sugar plantations. Many of these individuals stayed and became small businessmen, working as camel drivers, merchants, and hawkers between small rural communities. Today, many Hindus in Australia are well-educated professionals in fields such as medicine, engineering, commerce, and information technology.
Tasmania has witnessed the highest growth rate in Hinduism since the 2016 census, with the proportion of Hindus increasing from 0.5% to 1.7% of the population. New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria have historically had higher proportions of Hindus compared to other states and territories. There are around forty-three Hindu temples in Australia, with the Sri Mandir Temple in Auburn, Sydney, being the first established in 1977.
While Hinduism is growing in Australia, Hindu Australians have reported experiencing discrimination. A 2019 survey revealed that three-quarters of Hindu respondents had faced discrimination in public spaces or on public transport. Additionally, in January and March 2023, several Hindu temples across the country were vandalized with anti-Hindu graffiti, allegedly by Khalistani extremists.
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Buddhism is one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia
Australia is a religiously diverse country with no official religion. While Christianity is the most common religion, with around 40-50% of the population identifying as Christian, the country has seen a decline in Christian affiliation in recent years. In contrast, the number of people reporting no religious affiliation has increased, with almost 40% of Australians reporting no religion in the 2021 census.
Amidst this changing religious landscape, Buddhism has emerged as one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia. According to the 2021 census, there were 610,000 to 615,800 Buddhists in Australia, comprising 2.4% of the total population. This represents a significant increase from previous years, with the number of Buddhists growing by 79% between the 1996 and 2001 censuses.
The growth of Buddhism in Australia has been influenced by several factors. One key factor is immigration from Asian countries, particularly South and Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, China, Sri Lanka, and Tibet. The Vietnam War and subsequent decades saw a significant influx of refugees and immigrants from these regions, many of whom practised Buddhism. Additionally, some people of non-Asian origin have also converted to Buddhism.
Buddhism's growth in Australia can also be attributed to the establishment of Buddhist societies and religious institutions. The late 1970s marked a significant period for Buddhism in the country, with the arrival of the first resident monk, Venerable Somaloka from Sri Lanka. During this time, Buddhist societies transitioned from lay organizations to more established groups with resident monks. Figures such as Lama Yeshe and Sogyal Rinpoche played pivotal roles in the spread of Tibetan Buddhism in Western countries, including Australia.
The three main traditions of Buddhism—Theravada, East Asian, and Tibetan—are now represented in Australia. Temples like the Quang Minh Temple in Melbourne and the Nan Tien Temple in New South Wales play an active role in their communities, with thousands of people attending services and events. As a result of these factors, Buddhism has become one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia, contributing to the country's diverse religious landscape.
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Frequently asked questions
Christianity is the most common religion in Australia, with 43.9% of the population identifying as Christian in the 2021 census.
In the 2021 census, 61.1% of Australians identified with a religion, leaving almost 40% who declared "no religion".
In the 2021 census, 43.9% of Australians identified as Christian, a decrease from 52.1% in the 2016 census.
Buddhism is one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia, with 615,800 adherents in 2021, making up 2.4% of the total population. Jainism is the fourth fastest-growing religion, recording 4,050 adherents in 2016 and growing at an average rate of 7.7% per year.
In the 2021 census, 7,887 people were recorded as practising Australian Aboriginal traditional religions. The Northern Territory had the highest number of people practising these religions (3,437), followed by New South Wales (1,422), Western Australia (1,096), and Queensland (979).
