Lyla Lindsey
Australia is not a French-speaking country. However, there are many French speakers in Australia. In 2021, 5.8 million people (22.8% of the population) reported using a language other than English at home, and French is one of the languages taught in schools. The majority of those who speak French at home in Australia are found in New South Wales, but French is spoken across all Australian states and territories.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is French an official language in Australia? | No |
| Is French spoken in Australia? | Yes |
| Number of French speakers in Australia | Not available |
| Percentage of French speakers in Australia | 22.8% of the population reported using a language other than English at home in 2021 |
| Percentage of Australian French speakers born in France | 29.1% |
| Percentage of Australian French speakers born in Australia | 27.4% |
| Percentage of Australian French speakers born in Mauritius | 17% |
| Percentage of French speakers in Australia who are Australian citizens | 69.1% |
| Percentage of French-speaking women in Australia | 52.5% |
| Percentage of French-speaking men in Australia | 47.5% |
| Percentage of French speakers in Australia who speak English well or very well | 95.7% |
| Suburb with the strongest French concentration in Australia | Maroubra, in New South Wales |
| Number of French speakers in Maroubra, New South Wales | 560 |
| Number of Indigenous languages in Australia at the time of first European contact | Over 250 |
| Number of Indigenous language varieties in use or being revived in Australia | More than 120 |
| Number of Indigenous languages that are endangered in Australia | 70 |
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What You'll Learn
French is not Australia's official language
English was introduced to Australia in 1788 with the arrival of British settlers. Since then, English has become the de facto official and national language of Australia. It is the language of education in Australian schools and is used as the only language in the home by 72% of the population.
However, this does not mean that other languages are not spoken in Australia. In fact, the proportion of Australians speaking a language other than English has increased over time, particularly following World War II due to the immigration of refugees and displaced persons from Europe. In the 21st century, another sharp increase in immigration, especially from Asia, was observed. In 2021, 5.8 million people (22.8% of the population) reported using a language other than English at home. The ten most common languages spoken at home besides English were Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, Cantonese, Punjabi, Greek, Italian, Hindi, Spanish, and Nepali.
French is also spoken in Australia, with 29.1% of Australian French speakers born in France, 27.4% born in Australia, and 17% born in Mauritius. In 2021, the majority of French speakers in Australia were found in New South Wales, and the suburb with the strongest French concentration was Maroubra. Additionally, in 2022, two Members of Parliament, Jerome Laxale and Zoe McKenzie, gave their maiden speeches in both English and French, as they are both of French background.
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English is Australia's de facto official language
Australia is not a French-speaking country. While there are French speakers in Australia, English is the de facto official and national language. It is the most widely spoken language in the country, with 72% of the population speaking only English at home.
English was introduced to Australia in 1788 with the arrival of British settlers. Over time, it gradually replaced Indigenous languages to become the majority language of Australia. Today, it is the language of school education and is a key part of the Australian curriculum up to Year 10.
While English is not Australia's official language in law, it functions as the de facto official language. This means that it is the language used in everyday communication and understood by the majority of the population.
The proportion of Australians speaking a language other than English has increased over time, influenced by immigration patterns. After the Second World War, refugee and displaced person immigration from Europe led to a rise in non-English languages. In the 21st century, increased immigration from Asia further contributed to language diversity. In 2021, 22.8% of the population reported using a language other than English at home, with Mandarin, Arabic, and Vietnamese among the most commonly spoken languages.
French is not one of the primary languages spoken in Australia, but there is a French-speaking community. According to the 2021 Census, the majority of French speakers in Australia live in New South Wales (NSW), and 29.1% of French speakers were born in France, while 27.4% were born in Australia. The suburb with the strongest French concentration is Maroubra in NSW.
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French is the sixth most spoken language in the world
Australia is not a French-speaking country. English is the de facto official and national language of Australia. However, French is the sixth most spoken language in the world. As of June 2022, there were 321 million French speakers worldwide, with 41% being non-native speakers. French is an official language in 32 countries, and about two-thirds of its speakers live across Africa. French is used as a national language in more countries than any other language besides English. French is also the sixth most used language online, accounting for 4.3% of content.
French is a Romance language of the Indo-European family. It evolved from Northern Old Gallo-Romance, a descendant of the Latin spoken in Northern Gaul. French was influenced by the Celtic languages of Northern Roman Gaul and the Germanic Frankish language of the post-Roman Frankish invaders. From the 16th century onwards, French colonialism introduced the language to new territories in the Americas, Africa, and Asia. This resulted in the development of numerous French-based creole languages, such as Haitian Creole.
French is a significant global language, serving as a language of instruction in the educational systems of approximately 36 countries and governments worldwide. French is also a major language for business, diplomacy, and culture. Its global reach and widespread use make it an appealing language to learn for those seeking to expand their horizons and discover new cultures.
While France has the highest number of French speakers in the world, the countries that follow may be surprising. Canada, Belgium, and Switzerland do not make the top five. Haiti is the only country in the Caribbean that uses French as its national language, and it is also spoken in Oceania, with a significant French-speaking population in New Caledonia.
In Australia, there is a French-speaking community, with 29.1% born in France and 27.4% born in Australia. French speakers are distributed throughout the country, with the suburb of Maroubra in New South Wales having the strongest French concentration. French has also been used in Australian politics, with two MPs giving their maiden speeches in French in 2022.
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Australia has a French-speaking population
The 2021 census revealed that 29.1% of Australian French speakers were born in France, while 27.4% were born in Australia. Additionally, 69.1% of French speakers in the country are Australian citizens, and 80% have completed Year 12 studies, compared to 56.8% of the general population. The suburb with the strongest French concentration is Maroubra, in New South Wales.
The presence of a French-speaking population in Australia can be attributed to various factors, including immigration and refugees from European countries after the Second World War, as well as the increase in migration from Asia in the 21st century. While English is the predominant language in Australia, the country's diverse cultural landscape includes a significant number of French speakers, contributing to its linguistic and cultural richness.
In recent years, there has been a growing interest in French culture and language in Australia. This is evident through websites such as Matilda Marseillaise, which provides bilingual content in French and English, catering to Australians interested in French culture. Additionally, French has been incorporated into political speeches, with two MPs, Jerome Laxale and Zoe McKenzie, delivering their maiden speeches in both English and French in 2022.
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French is taught in Australian schools
Australia is not a French-speaking country. English is the de facto official and national language of Australia. It is the language of school education in Australia and is a key learning area in the Australian curriculum up to Year 10. However, French is taught in Australian schools and universities. It has been taught since the 1880s, originally offered alongside Italian and German as a modern language option. French is currently the third most widely studied language in Australian schools.
In the 21st century, there was a sharp increase in immigration to Australia, especially from Asia. In 2021, 5.8 million people (22.8% of the population) reported using a language other than English at home. French is not among the top ten most commonly spoken languages in Australia. However, there is a significant French-speaking community in the country, with 27.4% of French speakers being born in Australia.
French Schools in Australia mix the required Australian curriculum with the traditional French curriculum. Classes are mostly taught in French, but there are compulsory subjects in English. The French curriculum is broken down into 5 cycles. Cycle one is optional and caters to children aged 3-6 years. Compulsory schooling starts in cycle two, where children between the ages of 6 and 11 learn to acquire written language skills. Elementary schooling also consists of cycle three, which aims to master both French and English language skills. From ages 11-15, children enter the fourth cycle and secondary school. Children must have acquired a minimum level of French to learn various subjects.
In NSW, students must study 100 hours of one language in one continuous 12-month period in Stage 4 or Stage 5, usually in Years 7 and/or 8. French is one of the 17 languages used to deliver the mandatory language requirement. Students can take French as an elective subject in Years 9 and 10, but the number of students taking a language drops off dramatically when languages become elective.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Australia is not a French-speaking country. English is the de facto official and national language of Australia. However, there are some French speakers in the country, with 29.1% of them born in France, 27.4% born in Australia, and 17% born in Mauritius.
72% of Australians speak only English at home. However, in 2021, 5.8 million people (22.8% of the population) reported using a language other than English at home.
The exact number of French speakers in Australia is unknown, but the language is spoken across all Australian states and territories, with the majority of French speakers found in New South Wales.
French is spoken in Oceania, with Australia and New Zealand sometimes referred to as "the Antipodes."
