Lyla Lindsey
Australia is a secular country with a diverse migrant population and over 120 faiths. It has traditionally been a majority Christian country, but this dominant religious identity is shifting. In the 2021 census, 43.9% of Australians identified with Christianity, while 38.9% declared no religion. Australia has no official religion, and its constitution prohibits the establishment of any religion or the imposition of any religious observance. The country's religious landscape is diverse, with many different faiths and beliefs co-existing, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional religions, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people who identify as Christian | 43.9% |
| Number of people who identify as having no religion | 38.9% |
| Number of people who identify as Hindu | 2.7% |
| Number of people who identify as Muslim | 3.2% |
| Number of people who identify as Buddhist | 2.4% |
| Number of people who identify as Sikh | 0.8% |
| Number of people who identify as Jewish | 0.4% |
| Number of people who identify as Aboriginal Australians practising traditional religions | 0.03% |
| Number of people who answered the religion question in the census | 93.1% |
| Number of people who declined to answer the religion question in the census | 7.2% |
| Australia's official religion | None |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's religious diversity
Australia has no official religion and is a secular country with a diverse migrant population and over 120 faiths. The country has traditionally been a majority Christian country, but this dominant Christian identity appears to be shifting. In the 2021 census, 43.9% of Australians identified with Christianity, a decline from 51.7% in 2016 and 96.9% in 1921. The Catholic Church is now the largest single religious group in Australia, benefiting from post-war multicultural immigration. The Catholic education system is the second-biggest sector after government schools, with more than 750,000 students in 2018.
There is a growing proportion of Australians who do not identify with a religion, with 38.9% of the population declaring "no religion" in the 2021 census, up from 30.1% in 2016. The younger age groups are more likely to have no religious affiliation or hold other spiritual or secular beliefs. This move away from religion is also highlighted by the rise in civil celebrant marriages instead of religious ceremonies.
Islam is the largest non-Christian religion in Australia, with followers comprising 3.2% of the total population. Hinduism is the second-largest non-Christian religion, with 2.7% of the population practising it. Hinduism is also one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia, with a 12% increase per year since 2011. In the 2021 census, 684,000 people identified as Hindu, up from 148,000 in the 2006 census. The increase in Hindu and Islamic affiliations can be largely attributed to recent migration. Of migrants who arrived in Australia between 2016 and 2021, 210,500 were affiliated with Hinduism and almost 126,000 with Islam.
Other religions practised in Australia include Buddhism, Sikhism and Judaism. The number of people who affiliate with Sikhism has almost tripled since the 2011 census, and in 2021, they accounted for 0.8% of the population. Approximately 91,000 people identified as religiously Jewish in the 2021 census (0.4% of the population).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional beliefs and practices have been profoundly impacted by colonialism and the introduction of Christianity. In the 2021 census, only 0.03% of Australians identified as practising an 'Australian Aboriginal traditional religion', with approximately 1.4% of people who identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander also identifying their religion as 'Australian Aboriginal traditional religion'. However, this figure is unlikely to represent the exact number of people sharing Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander worldviews.
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Christianity in Australia
Australia has no official religion, and its constitution protects freedom of religion and separation of church and state. However, Christianity is the largest religion in Australia, with 43.9% of the population identifying with a Christian denomination in the 2021 census. This marks a decline from 96.1% in the 1901 census, and 55-56% in the 2016 census.
The first presence of Christianity in Australia began with British colonisation in 1788, when the Reverend Richard Johnson of the Church of England was licensed as chaplain to the First Fleet of British convict ships that arrived in Sydney. In the early British colonial period, the Church of England held legal privileges, and Catholicism was suppressed. Sectarianism was a feature of Australian politics well into the 20th century, and the church and state collaborated to seek the conversion of the Indigenous population to Christianity.
The Christian footprint in Australian society and culture remains broad, particularly in areas of social welfare and education provision, and in the marking of festivals such as Easter and Christmas, which are public holidays. The Catholic Church is second only to the government as a provider of government-funded social services, and the Anglican Church's Anglicare network is similarly engaged in areas such as emergency relief, aged care, and family support services. Around a quarter of students attend church-owned schools, and the Catholic education system is the second-biggest sector after government schools, with more than 750,000 students in 2018.
Christian affiliation varies across generations, with older generations more likely to be affiliated with Christianity and younger generations more likely to have no religious affiliation. Church abuse scandals, including sexual abuse, have negatively impacted public opinion of Christianity in Australia, particularly among younger generations. The church's stance on homosexuality and gender roles has negatively affected younger generations' views of Christianity. However, Aussies are generally open to talking about faith and changing their spiritual views, and most Australians value the church's work in areas such as looking after the homeless, offering financial assistance, providing aged care, and working to abolish modern slavery.
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The rise of non-Christian religions
Australia has no official religion, and its constitution protects freedom of religion and the free practice of religions. The country has become more religiously diverse over time, with a decline in the proportion of Australians identifying with Christianity and a rise in other religions and those with no religious affiliation.
The Impact of Immigration
Australia's religious landscape has been significantly shaped by waves of migration. The country has experienced several phases of migration that have contributed to the growth of non-Christian religions:
- 1800s and early 1900s: The arrival of British and Irish free settlers brought a mix of religious affiliations, including Protestants, Catholics, and smaller groups such as Jews and Pagans.
- 1940s and 1950s: Post-World War II migration from continental Europe and Malta led to a rapid growth in the number of Catholics in Australia.
- 1960s and 1970s: An increase in migrants from countries such as Fiji, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Africa contributed to the growth of Hinduism.
- 2000s: Humanitarian entrants from Africa and the Middle East, along with skilled migrants from Northeast and Southern Asia, brought diverse religious backgrounds.
- 2016-2021: Recent migration trends show an increase in affiliations with Hinduism, Sikhism, and Islam. Many of these migrants are from countries such as India, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh.
The Growth of Specific Non-Christian Religions
Several non-Christian religions have experienced notable growth in Australia:
- Hinduism: Hinduism is the second-largest non-Christian religion in Australia, with around 2.7% of the total population practicing it in 2021. It is one of the fastest-growing religions, with a 12% annual increase since 2011. The Hindu population has more than doubled between the 1996 and 2006 censuses, and many Hindus in Australia are well-educated professionals.
- Islam: Islam is the largest non-Christian religion in Australia, with 3.2% of the total population practicing it. The Australian gold rushes in the 19th century brought Muslim "Afghan Cameleers" to the country, and recent migration from countries like Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Bangladesh has contributed to the growth of Islam in Australia.
- Buddhism: Buddhism is followed by about 2.4% of Australians, and the number of Buddhists continues to increase.
- Sikhism: While less than 1% of the total population practices Sikhism, the number of people affiliated with Sikhism has almost tripled since the 2011 census.
- Judaism: Judaism also accounts for less than 1% of the population. Jews started arriving in Australia in the early 19th century, and there were at least 15 Jews among the First Fleet.
Changing Community Attitudes and Practices
In summary, the rise of non-Christian religions in Australia is shaped by immigration patterns, the growth of specific religions like Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism, and evolving community attitudes towards religion and spiritual practices. This trend contributes to Australia's increasing religious diversity.
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Religious affiliation and identity
Australia has no official religion, and its population is diverse in terms of religious affiliation and identity. The country has over 120 faiths, and while it has traditionally been a majority-Christian country, this dominant identity is shifting.
In the 2021 census, 43.9% of Australians identified with Christianity, a decline of 8.2% from 2016. This makes Christianity the largest religion in Australia, with the Catholic Church being the largest single religious group, followed by the Anglican Church. The Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas are public holidays.
The second-largest classification in the 2021 census was the 38.9% who identified as having "no religion". This figure has been growing, with younger generations being more likely to have no religious affiliation. The proportion of Australians who report having no religious affiliation rose from 30.1% in 2016 to 38.9% in 2021.
Islam is the largest non-Christian religion, with 3.2% of the total population. Hinduism is the second-largest non-Christian religion, with 2.7% of the population. Hinduism is also one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia, with a 12% increase per year since 2011. Other non-Christian religions include Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditional beliefs and practices have been impacted by colonialism and the introduction of Christianity. In the 2021 census, only 0.03% of Australians identified as practicing an 'Australian Aboriginal traditional religion', though this figure may not represent the exact number of people sharing these worldviews.
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Australia's secular state
Australia is a secular country, but it does not have an explicit "separation of church and state". The country's constitution prohibits the government from establishing a state religion, imposing religious observance, or prohibiting the free exercise of religion. This means that Australia is a secular state, but it does not mean that the country is entirely free from religion in public life.
The concept of secularism in Australia has evolved over time and is still evolving. In 1872, Victoria adopted the idea that education should be "free, compulsory, and secular," which later became universal across Australian states in 1902. This understanding of secularism did not exclude religion from schools but aimed to prevent religious sectarianism by ensuring that public schools were not controlled by any single denomination. It promoted pluralism and the exchange of ideas, including religious ones.
However, the state still interacts with religion in various ways. For example, the federal government funds schools run by religious organizations and recognizes marriages conducted by religious celebrants. Australia's population is predominantly religious, with Christianity as the major religion. In the 2021 census, 43.9% of Australians identified as Christian, while 38.9% declared no religion. The number of people identifying as having no religion has been steadily increasing over the years.
While Australia is a secular state, the definition and interpretation of secularism vary. Some advocate for a strict separation of church and state, while others argue for a form of secularism where religion is allowed in the public sphere as long as it remains one voice among many. Ultimately, Australia's secular state aims to respect religious freedom and diversity while maintaining a neutral stance on religion in governance.
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Frequently asked questions
Christianity is the main religion in Australia, with 43.9% of Australians identifying as Christian in the 2021 census.
No, Australia has no official religion. Section 116 of the Constitution of Australia states:
> The Commonwealth shall not make any law for establishing any religion, or for imposing any religious observance, or for prohibiting the free exercise of any religion, and no religious test shall be required as a qualification for any office or public trust under the Commonwealth.
Hinduism is one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia, with a 12% increase in followers per year since 2011. In the 2021 census, 684,000 people identified as Hindu, making it the fourth-largest religious or non-religious affiliation in the country.
In the 2021 census, 38.9% of Australians declared "no religion", up from 30.1% in 2016. Almost 10 million Australians said they did not belong to any religion.
According to the National Church Life Survey conducted in 2018, one in five Australians can be described as a "frequent attendee", attending religious services at least once a month. This includes 13% who attend at least once a week and 8% who attend at least once a month.
