
Zimbabweans have been migrating to Australia steadily over the past few decades, with the volume of migration increasing significantly since 2000 due to the sociopolitical crisis in their home country. The community is now well-established, with some of the highest incomes in the country, and with community institutions such as Zimbabwean language schools. As of 2018, there were over 34,787 Zimbabwe-born people in Australia, and when including their Australian and foreign-born members, the government estimates at least 60,000 to 80,000 people, equally divided between black and white Zimbabweans.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Zimbabwe-born people in Australia | 34,787 as of 2018 |
| Total number of Zimbabweans in Australia | 60,000-80,000 |
| Percentage of black Zimbabweans | 50% |
| Percentage of white Zimbabweans | 50% |
| Percentage of tertiary degree holders | 78% |
| Percentage of native English speakers | 98.4% |
| Main cities of residence | Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, Queensland |
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What You'll Learn

There are over 65,000 Zimbabweans in Australia
There are over 65,000 Zimbabwean Australians, with significant growth since 2000, coinciding with the sociopolitical crisis in Zimbabwe. The community is well-established, with some of the highest incomes in the country, as well as community institutions such as Zimbabwean language schools. The vast majority of first-generation migrants from Zimbabwe are highly educated, with 78% of Zimbabwean Aussie adults holding a tertiary degree, making them the best-educated group in the country. This is reflected in their high incomes, with 76.4% of Zimbabwean-born people (aged 15 years or over) holding some form of higher qualification compared to 51.8% of the total Australian population.
Zimbabweans in Australia have a high degree of integration into Australian society, with better cultural, historical, and linguistic similarities to their new home. They have not formed distinct enclaves within major cities, unlike some other migrant groups. However, the community maintains strong ties with their homeland, with many travelling back and forth. The Zimbabwean community in Australia is not particularly close-knit compared to other African migrant groups.
Zimbabweans in Australia are mostly based in Sydney, with other concentrations in Perth, Melbourne, and Queensland. Many white Zimbabweans have settled in Queensland, while people of indigenous Shona and Ndebele ethnicities commonly settle in Sydney or Melbourne. One in three of Australia's Shona and Ndebele speakers live in Sydney, and the same proportion of Ndebele speakers. English, Shona, and Afrikaans are the main languages Zimbabwean Australians in Victoria speak at home. 53% speak English, 36% speak Shona, and 1% speak Afrikaans.
Zimbabweans began immigrating to Australia in the late 1970s in modest numbers, mostly white Zimbabweans of British ancestry. Since 2000, the volume of migration has increased and diversified significantly, with a mix of professionals, investors, students, and recent graduates choosing to move to Australia. This is due to the opportunity for better economic and educational advantages, as well as Australia's reputation as a prestigious place to live.
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They are well-integrated into Australian society
Zimbabweans form a significant community in Australia, with their numbers growing to over 34,787 Zimbabwe-born as of 2018. When including their Australian-born and foreign-born members, the government estimates at least 60,000 to 80,000 people, equally divided between black and white Zimbabweans. The community is well-established, with some of the highest incomes in the country and institutions such as Zimbabwean language schools.
Zimbabweans in Australia have a high level of educational attainment, with 76.4% of Zimbabwean-born people (aged 15 years or over) holding some form of higher qualification compared to 51.8% of the total Australian population. They also have a high degree of English proficiency, with 98.4% speaking it well. This can be attributed to Zimbabwe's high education rates and the historical influence of British rule and education in the country. Unlike migrants from Asia, they have not formed distinct enclaves within Australian cities and have a higher degree of assimilation due to cultural, historical, and linguistic similarities with Australia.
Zimbabweans in Australia are well-integrated into society, with many travelling back and forth between the two countries. They are represented as having a high degree of integration, forming an "invisible model minority" in Australia. This may be due to their relatively privileged, urbanised, and educated backgrounds, as skilled migrants. The opportunity to migrate is not typically available to those from poorer or more rural areas in Zimbabwe.
The Australian cities of Sydney, Perth, Melbourne, and Queensland have significant Zimbabwean populations. One in three of Australia's Shona and Ndebele speakers live in Sydney, with other concentrations in the latter three cities. White Zimbabweans have particularly settled in Queensland, while those of indigenous Shona and Ndebele ethnicities commonly settle in Sydney or Melbourne. This diversity within the Zimbabwean Australian community reflects the varying degrees of assimilation and high degree of interethnic marriages in the Zimbabwean diaspora.
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Many Zimbabweans in Australia are highly educated
Australia is home to a significant community of Zimbabweans, with their numbers having grown to over 34,787 Zimbabwe-born people as of 2018. When including Australian-born and foreign-born members, the government estimates that there are at least 80,000 Zimbabwean Australians, equally divided between black and white Zimbabweans. This community is well-established, with some of the highest incomes in the country and a high degree of integration into Australian society.
Zimbabwean Australians are highly educated, with 78% of adults holding a tertiary degree, making them the best-educated group in the country. This is reflected in their high incomes and strong representation in professional fields. The high level of education among Zimbabwean Australians can be attributed to several factors, including Zimbabwe's high education rates and the popularity of Australian universities as an affordable option for foreign students.
The vast majority of first-generation Zimbabwean migrants are highly educated, pursuing tertiary qualifications after completing high school. According to the 2021 Census, 76.4% of Zimbabwean-born people aged 15 and over held higher qualifications, compared to 51.8% of the total Australian population. This emphasis on education contributes to the success and integration of the Zimbabwean community in Australia.
The Zimbabwean community in Australia has a strong presence in Sydney, with other concentrations in Perth, Melbourne, and Queensland. Sydney is home to a significant number of Shona and Ndebele speakers, with one in three of Australia's speakers of these languages residing in the city. The community has established institutions such as Zimbabwean language schools, reflecting their commitment to preserving their cultural heritage while integrating into Australian society.
Zimbabwean Australians have become a model minority in Australia, known for their high degree of integration, economic success, and academic achievements. Their strong educational background has contributed to their success and the perception of them as a well-established and highly skilled community within the diverse fabric of Australian society.
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They have some of the highest incomes in the country
Zimbabweans in Australia have some of the highest incomes in the country. The Zimbabwean community in Australia is well-established and highly educated, with 74.5% of Zimbabwe-born individuals aged 15 years and over possessing higher non-school qualifications compared to 55.9% of the Australian population. The high level of education attainment among Zimbabweans in Australia contributes to their higher-than-average incomes.
The Zimbabwean diaspora is known for its high literacy rate of 95% and a skilled adult population. Zimbabwe has a strong educational system, with a commitment to providing free public education to all citizens. This has resulted in a well-educated Zimbabwean population, many of whom pursue higher education abroad, including in Australia. The Zimbabwean community in Australia includes professionals, investors, students, and recent graduates.
The personal weekly median income for Zimbabwe-born individuals in Australia was $1,049 in 2016, with a family median weekly income of $2,471 and a household median weekly income of $2,311. It is worth noting that these statistics exclude those who did not state their income. The high incomes of Zimbabweans in Australia can also be attributed to the growing popularity of Australian universities among foreign students.
The Zimbabwean community in Australia is highly integrated into Australian society, with a strong attachment to their homeland. They have not formed distinct enclaves within major cities and have a high degree of assimilation due to cultural, historical, and linguistic similarities. The community has established institutions, including Zimbabwean language schools, and is well-represented across various sectors and contexts, with many successful businesspeople.
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Most Zimbabweans in Australia live in Sydney
Australia is home to a significant community of Zimbabweans, with their numbers growing steadily over the past few decades. As of 2018, there were over 34,787 Zimbabwe-born people in Australia, and when including their Australian-born and foreign-born descendants, the community is estimated to be around 60,000 to 80,000 people. This community is well-established and highly educated, with some of the highest incomes in the country.
Among this community, most Zimbabweans in Australia live in Sydney. One in three of Australia's Shona and Ndebele speakers reside in Sydney, making it the largest concentration of these Zimbabwean languages in the country. Sydney has become a popular destination for people of indigenous Shona and Ndebele ethnicities, who make up a significant portion of the Zimbabwean diaspora.
Historically, Perth was a common first stop for Zimbabwean migrants due to its proximity to Southern Africa and its established South African Australian population. However, over time, many Zimbabweans have settled in other cities, with notable concentrations in Melbourne and Queensland.
The Zimbabwean community in Australia stands out for its high degree of integration and assimilation into Australian society. This can be attributed to better cultural, historical, and linguistic similarities between the two countries. Additionally, the vast majority of Zimbabwean migrants are highly educated, with 76.4% holding some form of tertiary qualification, compared to 51.8% of the total Australian population.
While the community maintains strong ties with Zimbabwe, they have established institutions in Australia, including Zimbabwean language schools. The community is diverse, consisting of Shona people, Ndebele people, white Zimbabweans, mixed-race individuals, and other minority groups.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2018, there were over 34,787 Zimbabwe-born people living in Australia. When including their Australian and foreign-born family members, the number rises to at least 60,000-80,000 people.
Zimbabwean Australians are well-integrated into Australian society and have some of the highest incomes in the country. They are also the best-educated group, with 76.4%-78% holding tertiary degrees.
The largest Zimbabwean community in Australia is in Sydney, with other concentrations in Perth, Melbourne, and Queensland.
Zimbabweans migrate to Australia in search of better economic opportunities and access to education.
Zimbabweans started migrating to Australia in significant numbers in the late 1970s, with the volume increasing significantly since 2000 due to the sociopolitical crisis in Zimbabwe.











































