Ruqayyah Snyder
Melbourne, Australia, is home to the largest Greek-speaking population in the world outside of Greece and Cyprus. The city has been referred to as Greece's 'third city' after Athens and Thessaloniki. Greek migration to Australia began in the 1800s, with a significant number arriving during the gold rush. Melbourne is one of the eight most important Greek population centres globally, alongside Sydney, Toronto, Montreal, New York City, Chicago, Boston and London. As of the 2021 census, 424,750 people stated that they had Greek ancestry, comprising 1.7% of the Australian population.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of people with Greek ancestry in Australia | 424,750 (1.7% of the population) |
| Number of Australian residents born in Greece | 92,314 |
| States with the largest Greek populations | Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia |
| Percentage of Australians with Greek ancestry who are Christian | 91.4% |
| Main Christian denomination of Greek Australians | Eastern Orthodox |
| Percentage of Greek Australians who are spiritual, secular, or irreligious | 5.6% |
| Percentage of Greek Australians who did not answer the census question on religion | 2.6% |
| Percentage of first-generation Greek migrants who speak Greek at home | 84.9% |
| Median age of Greece-born population in Australia | 74 (as of 2021) |
| Percentage of Greeks who arrived in Australia before 1981 | Over 85% |
| Percentage of Greek Australians living in Victoria | 50.4% |
| City with the largest Greek-speaking population outside of Greece and Cyprus | Melbourne |
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What You'll Learn
Melbourne has the largest Greek population outside of Greece
Melbourne, Australia, has the largest Greek-speaking population in the world outside of Greece. The city is sometimes referred to as Greece's 'third city' after Athens and Thessaloniki. As of 2016, 50.4% of the Greek population in Australia lives in Victoria, with Melbourne as its capital. Melbourne is one of the eight important Greek population centres worldwide, alongside Sydney, Toronto, Montreal, New York City, Chicago, Boston and London.
Greek migration to Australia began in the 1800s, with significant numbers arriving during the gold rush. There was further immigration in the years between the two World Wars as the Ottoman Empire expelled Greeks from Turkey (Asia Minor). However, the biggest influx occurred in the post-war period after World War II until the 1970s, with thousands of Greeks arriving over this time seeking better economic opportunities. Melbourne has been a key destination for Greek migrants, with Hellenic communities well-established in the city since the late 19th century.
The Greek community in Melbourne is deeply rooted and has a strong presence in various aspects of the city's culture and society. The community is served by the Neos Kosmos newspaper, and the Hellenic Museum in Melbourne's CBD showcases the ongoing story of Greeks in the city. There are also three Greek Australian day schools and dozens of after-hours 'Greek schools' in Melbourne. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese operates 35 churches and two monasteries in the city, and there are various other Greek Orthodox churches unaffiliated with the Archdiocese.
Melbourne's Greek community has a notable impact on the city's sports culture, with a large Greek following for events like the Australian Open. The community has established numerous soccer clubs in the areas they reside, including Oakleigh Cannons FC, Malvern City FC, Brunswick City SC, Kingston City FC, and many others. Annually, these teams compete in the Hellenic Cup.
The Greek population in Melbourne has contributed significantly to the city's cultural fabric, with various arts, cultural, and sporting events held throughout the year catering to the Greek Australian community.
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Greek migration to Australia
Greek immigration to Australia has been one of the largest migration flows in Australian history, with Greek Australians forming one of the largest groups within the global Greek diaspora. The first known Greeks to arrive in Australia were seven sailors convicted of piracy by a British naval court in 1829. Two of these sailors stayed and settled in the country. The first known free Greek migrant to Australia was Katerina Georgia Plessos, who arrived in Sydney with her husband in 1835. From the last decade of the 19th century until World War I, the number of Greeks immigrating to Australia increased steadily, and Hellenic communities were well-established in Melbourne and Sydney.
After World War II and the Greek Civil War, the largest influx of Greek migrants to Australia occurred, with thousands seeking better economic opportunities. This migration slowed once Europe had recovered from the war. Subsequent migration has been minimal, as the current Greek preference is generally to migrate elsewhere in Europe. However, in 2015, the flow of migrants from Greece increased slightly due to the economic crisis in Greece, with Australia as one of the main destinations for departing Greeks. According to the 2021 census, 424,744 Australians self-identified as having Greek ancestry, comprising 1.7% of the Australian population. At the same census, 92,314 Australian residents were born in Greece, and over 85% of these people arrived before 1981. Greek Australians are predominantly Greek Orthodox, with 91.4% of those with Greek ancestry identifying as Christian. Greek is the seventh most commonly spoken language in Australia, and 84.9% of first-generation migrants continue to speak it at home.
Melbourne is a significant hub for Greek Australians, with the Greek community deeply established in the city. Modern Greek civilisation in Melbourne is perpetuated by Greek Australian day schools, after-hours 'Greek schools', aged care and welfare societies, community and cultural organisations, brotherhoods, youth groups, and sporting clubs. Melbourne is also home to the World Council of Hellenes Abroad, as well as three universities with Hellenic student organisations. Greek culture is also prominent in Melbourne, with many Greek restaurants, taverns, and soccer clubs. The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese operates 35 churches and two monasteries in the city. Outside of Melbourne, Sydney is another important centre for Greek Australians, with the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia located in the inner suburb of Redfern.
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Greek Australians and religion
Greek Australians are one of the largest groups within the global Greek diaspora, with 424,750 people stating that they had Greek ancestry in the 2021 Australian census, comprising 1.7% of the Australian population. Greek immigration to Australia has been one of the largest migratory flows in Australian history, especially after World War II.
Greek Australians predominantly practice Eastern Orthodox Christianity, with 91.4% of Australians with Greek ancestry identifying as Christian, according to the 2016 Australian census. The largest religious body of Greek Orthodox Australians is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, which operates 35 churches and two monasteries in Melbourne. The headquarters of the Archdiocese is the Cathedral of The Annunciation of Our Lady in the inner Sydney suburb of Redfern.
Minority groups of Greek Australians belong to different Christian denominations such as Catholics, Jehovah's Witnesses, and Pentecostals, making up 0.4% of the Greek Australian population. There are also independent Greek Orthodox churches unaffiliated with the Archdiocese in St Albans and Dromana, and Evangelical Greeks worshipping in North Melbourne, Box Hill, Oakleigh, and Richmond.
Greek Australians have the lowest rate of intermarriage (marrying outside their ethnicity) compared to other ethnic groups in Australia. However, the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia has reported that the number of Greeks marrying non-Greek spouses is increasing in recent years. Children born to mixed-marriage Greek families often embrace their Hellenic heritage, and the appeal of Greek culture in these instances creates an opportunity for the community to grow rather than diminish.
While Greek Australians generally maintain strong ties to their homeland identity and culture, those who have been settled in Australia for decades may have a different understanding of cultural customs than those living in Greece today. Greek Australians are known for their strong adherence to religion, family, and national holidays, although this may vary depending on the level of acculturation to Australian society.
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Greek Australians and intermarriage
Greek Australians are one of the largest groups within the global Greek diaspora, with 424,750 people stating that they had Greek ancestry in the 2021 Australian census, comprising 1.7% of the Australian population. Greek immigration to Australia has been one of the largest migratory flows in Australian history, especially after World War II and the Greek Civil War. Melbourne is home to the largest Greek Australian community in Australia, with 173,598 Greeks as of the 2016 census, making up 3.87% of Greater Melbourne's population. Melbourne is also one of the eight important Greek population centres worldwide, along with Sydney, Toronto, Montreal, New York City, Chicago, Boston and London.
Greek Australians have the lowest rate of intermarriage (marrying outside their ethnicity) among the 54 most common ethnic groups in Australia, according to a study. However, the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia reports that the number of Greeks marrying non-Greek spouses is increasing in recent years. Intermarriage can result in a loss of culture in the subsequent generation unless the Greek language and education are introduced early and maintained throughout childhood. Children born to mixed-marriage Greek families often embrace their Hellenic heritage, and this can create an opportunity for the community to grow in number rather than diminish.
The Greek community in Melbourne has helped to preserve Greek culture and community, which is extremely important to Greeks. Melbourne has three Greek Australian day schools and dozens of after-hours 'Greek schools', as well as a network of aged care and welfare societies, community and cultural organisations, brotherhoods, youth groups, and sporting clubs. Hellenic student organisations are present at all seven universities in Melbourne, and there is a high participation rate by Greek students. Melbourne's physical landscape has also been influenced by Hellenic design, with prominent Greek features in many landmarks, including Parliament House, the Shrine of Remembrance, and the State Library.
The Greek language is the seventh most commonly spoken language in Australia, with 237,588 Australian residents speaking Greek at home as of 2016. This is an 8.5% decrease from the 2011 census data. Most Greek Australians speak the Greco-Australian dialect, an Australian-based dialect of Greek spoken by both immigrants and Australians of Greek descent. Greek Australians are predominantly Greek Orthodox, with 91.4% of those with Greek ancestry identifying as Christian, mainly Eastern Orthodox. The largest religious body of Greek Orthodox Australians is the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia, headquartered at the Cathedral of The Annunciation of Our Lady in the inner Sydney suburb of Redfern.
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Greek Australians and language
Greek Australians are Australians of Greek ancestry. They are one of the largest groups within the global Greek diaspora, with 424,750 people stating that they had Greek ancestry in the 2021 Australian census, comprising 1.7% of the Australian population. Greek immigration to Australia has been one of the largest migratory flows in Australian history, with Melbourne being the main destination for Greek immigrants.
The Greek language press began in Australia in 1913 with the first Greek weekly newspaper, called either Afstralia or Australia, being published in Melbourne. Since then, several Greek newspapers have been published in Australia, including Okeanis (Oceania) in South Australia, Panellenios Keryx (Panhellenic Herald or The Greek Herald), Pharos (Lighthouse), and Neos Kosmos, which is still in circulation. In addition to newspapers, there are also Greek-language radio programs and television broadcasts in Australia. The Greek language was spoken at home by 237,588 Australian residents in 2016, a 5.8% decrease from the 2011 census data, and is the seventh most commonly spoken language in Australia. Most Greek Australians speak the Greco-Australian dialect, an Australian-based dialect of Greek spoken by both Greek immigrants and Australians of Greek descent. While Greek continues to be the primary language spoken at home by 84.9% of first-generation migrants, many second- and third-generation Greek Australians may not have been formally taught the Greek language.
Greek Australians are predominantly Greek Orthodox, with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia being the largest religious body. Eastern Orthodox Christianity remains especially important to the older generation of Greek Australians. However, there are also Greek-speaking Jehovah's Witnesses in Australia, who meet in Dingley Village.
While Greek Australians exhibit the lowest rate of intermarriage in the country, the number of Greeks marrying non-Greek spouses is increasing. Children born to mixed-marriage Greek families often embrace their Hellenic heritage, and the appeal of Greek culture in these instances creates an opportunity for the community to grow in number rather than diminish.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Melbourne, Australia, has the largest Greek-speaking population in the world outside of Greece and Cyprus.
Most Greeks in Australia live in Melbourne, which is sometimes referred to as Greece's "third city". Oakleigh in Victoria has the highest concentration of Greeks. Other cities with large Greek populations include Sydney, Perth, and Brisbane.
As per the 2021 Australian census, 424,750 people stated that they had Greek ancestry, comprising 1.7% of the Australian population. 92,314 Australian residents were born in Greece.
Greek migration to Australia began in the 1800s, with significant numbers arriving during the gold rush. There was further immigration in the years between the two World Wars as the Ottoman Empire expelled Greeks from Turkey (Asia Minor). However, the biggest influx occurred in the post-war period after World War II until the 1970s.
Greek Australians are predominantly Greek Orthodox Christian. According to the 2016 Australian census, 91.4% of Australians with Greek ancestry are Christian, mainly Eastern Orthodox.
