Lexi Webster
Australia is a secular country with a high degree of religious freedom and diversity. While it has no official religion, Christianity is the most common religion, introduced by British settlers in 1788. However, the country has seen growing diversity in non-Christian religions, with Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism also being represented. The number of Australians with no religion is also increasing, with almost ten million reporting none in the 2021 census.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official religion | None |
| Religious freedom | High degree |
| Religious diversity | High degree |
| Secular state | No |
| Most common religion | Christianity |
| Proportion of Christians | 52.1% |
| Largest Christian denominations | Catholic Church (20%) and Anglican Church (9.8%) |
| Second most common religion | Islam (3.2%) |
| Third most common religion | Hinduism (2.7%) |
| Fastest-growing religion | Yezidi (6,444% increase since the last census) |
| Number of people with no religion | Almost 10 million |
| Proportion of people with no religion | 38.9% |
| Proportion of people believing in God, a spirit or a life force | 56% |
| Proportion of people for whom faith or spirituality is important | 44% |
| Proportion of people who attend religious services frequently | 20% |
| Proportion of people who pray or meditate at least once a week | 30% |
| Proportion of people who have had a mystical or supernatural experience | 25%+ |
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What You'll Learn
Australia is a secular country with religious freedom
Australia is a secular country with a high degree of religious freedom and religious diversity. While it has no official religion, Australia's population is predominantly religious, with Christianity as the most dominant religion. Introduced by British settlers during colonisation, it has been the most common religion in Australia, although its adherents are decreasing. In the 2021 census, approximately 52.1% identified as Christian, down from 61.1% in 2011.
The Aboriginal peoples of Australia traditionally followed a set of beliefs known as "The Dreaming", which constitutes some of the earliest evidence of religious practices among humans. The spiritual beliefs and practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been significantly 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", with approximately 1.4% of people identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander also identifying their religion as such.
Australia's religious profile has been shaped by waves of migration. Since the abolition of the White Australia Policy in the 1970s, non-European communities have been able to establish themselves and grow in numbers, contributing to the country's growing religious diversity. The religion with the highest proportional growth since the last census was Yezidi, increasing by 6444% from 2016 to 2021 due to Australia's Humanitarian Program. Other religions that have grown in proportion to the overall population include Baháʼí and various other non-Christian religions.
While Australia is a secular country, it does not have an explicit "separation of church and state" as seen in countries like the USA. Section 116 of the Australian Constitution states that the Commonwealth shall not make any law establishing any religion, imposing religious observance, prohibiting the free exercise of religion, or requiring a religious test for any office or public trust. However, this does not preclude individual states from making such laws, and the federal government does interact with religious institutions. For example, the government funds schools, hospitals, and aged-care facilities run by religious organisations and recognises marriages conducted by religious celebrants.
In terms of cultural practices, Australians tend to avoid overt displays of religiosity and public religious rhetoric. It is more common for people to keep their religious beliefs private and maintain a distinction between their private and public lives. Conversations about religion are generally welcomed in private settings among familiar people, but public promotion or defensiveness of religious views may be unappreciated.
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Christianity is the most common religion
Australia is a secular country with a high degree of religious freedom and diversity. It has no official religion. However, Christianity is the most common religion in the country, with around half of all Australians aged 18+ identifying as Christian. The religion was introduced by British settlers in 1788 during colonisation and has since been an integral part of Australian society. The Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas are public holidays, and many primary and secondary schools, hospitals, aged-care facilities, and charity organisations are owned and funded by Christian organisations.
The Christian population in Australia is diverse, with various denominations present in the country. The Catholic Church and the Anglican Church are the two largest Christian denominations, with 20% and 9.8% of the population identifying as adherents, respectively. Other Christian denominations, such as Greek Orthodox, Serbian Orthodox, and Assyrian Orthodox, are also present, albeit in smaller numbers.
Despite the dominance of Christianity in Australia, the country has always had a degree of religious diversity. The Aboriginal peoples of Australia traditionally followed a set of beliefs known as "The Dreaming", and the spiritual practices of the Torres Strait Islanders bore similarities to broader Melanesian spirituality. Since the abolition of the White Australia Policy in the 1970s, non-European communities have been able to establish themselves and grow in numbers, contributing to the increasing religious diversity in the country.
While Christianity remains the most common religion in Australia, there has been a slow decline in its adherents over time. The younger generations are less likely to affiliate with any religion, and the number of people reporting having no religion has been increasing. The 2021 census recorded that 38.9% of the population identified as having no religion, making it the fastest-growing category in terms of religious affiliation. This trend is also reflected in the decrease in religious marriages, with most marriages now being performed by civil celebrants.
Despite the decline in organised religion, religious practices, beliefs, and experiences continue to be present in Australia. Many Australians integrate religion and spirituality into their lives, and a significant proportion believe in God, a spirit, or a life force. Additionally, a large proportion of the population still considers religious beliefs an important part of their identity and day-to-day life.
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Religious diversity is increasing
Australia has no official religion. Its constitution guarantees freedom of religion and respects religious diversity. The country has a high degree of religious freedom, and federal governments have generally allowed the free practice of religions.
While Christianity is the most common religion in Australia, there has been a slow decline in its followers over the years. In 2016, around half of all Australians aged 18+ identified as Christian, but this decreased to 52.1% in 2021. The Catholic Church and Anglican Church were the two largest Christian denominations identified. The number of Christians further decreased to 44% in 2018, according to the Australian Community Survey.
On the other hand, non-Christian religions and those with no religion have been increasing in proportion to the overall population. The 2021 census recorded over 100 different religious affiliations in Australia. The religion with the highest proportional growth since the last census was Yezidi, an ancient religious minority from Northern Iraq. The number of Yezidis in Australia increased from 63 people in 2016 to 4,123 in 2021, a 6,444% increase. This was due to Australia's Humanitarian Program that focused on resettling Yezidi women, children, and families from Iraq and Syria.
The number of Muslims across all age groups in Australia has also risen significantly since the previous national census. Hinduism is the fastest-growing religion in Australia, with a 55% increase from 2016. Other religions that have grown in number include Baháʼí and various spiritual beliefs such as Wicca and Neopagan witchcraft.
The increase in religious diversity in Australia can be attributed to waves of migration. The late 18th century saw the introduction of Christianity by British settlers, and since then, various other religions have been introduced through migration. The abolition of the White Australia Policy in the 1970s also allowed non-European communities to establish themselves and grow in numbers, further contributing to the country's religious diversity.
While Australia has a high degree of religious freedom, there is a general cultural tendency to avoid overt displays of religiosity. Australians typically maintain a distinction between their private and public lives when it comes to religion. Conversations about religion are more commonly held in private settings among familiar people.
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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander beliefs
Australia's Indigenous peoples are two distinct cultural groups: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. There is great diversity within these two broadly described groups, exemplified by the over 250 different language groups spread across the nation.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have their own laws and customs to determine the membership of their groups. Many people prefer to be called Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, rather than the generic term Indigenous Australian. Another way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people might describe themselves, which relates to their country (including the waters), is 'saltwater people' for those who live on the coast, or 'freshwater', 'rainforest', 'desert', or 'spinifex' for people who live in that ecological environment. Torres Strait Islander people prefer to use the name of their home island to identify themselves to outsiders, for example, a Saibai man or woman is from Saibai, or a Meriam person is from Mer.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a shared history of colonisation and the forced removal of their children. Before colonisation, they lived in small family groups linked to larger language groups with distinct territories. They had complex kinship systems and rules for social interaction, with roles relating to law, education, spiritual development, and resource management. They had languages, ceremonies, customs, and traditions and extensive knowledge of their environment.
Torres Strait Islanders are the Indigenous Melanesian people of the Torres Strait Islands, which are part of the state of Queensland, Australia. They are ethnically distinct from the Aboriginal peoples of the rest of Australia and are often grouped with them as Indigenous Australians. Today, many more Torres Strait Islander people live in mainland Australia than on the islands. Some Torres Strait Islander people share beliefs similar to the Aboriginal peoples' Dreaming and "Everywhen" concepts, passed down in oral history.
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 practicing 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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Australians tend to avoid public displays of religion
Australia is a secular country with a high degree of religious freedom and religious diversity. It has no official religion, and its constitution prohibits the establishment of any religion or the imposition of any religious observance. While Christianity is the most common religion in Australia, the country has seen a growing diversity of non-Christian religions as well.
This attitude towards religion in Australia can be attributed to the country's history and cultural values. Australia has a long tradition of secularism and religious freedom, with the state and religious groups maintained as separate entities. Additionally, the country's diverse migration patterns have contributed to the growth of various religious groups, making it uncommon for Australians to assume that someone shares their religious beliefs.
While Australia has a high degree of religious freedom, there is some negative sentiment towards certain religious groups, particularly Christians and Muslims. Despite this, there is still a high satisfaction with religious faith or spiritual life among Australians. Many people continue to find meaning and community through their religious beliefs, and religious practices and experiences remain a part of everyday life for a significant portion of the population.
The religious landscape in Australia is changing, with an increasing number of people reporting no religious affiliation, especially among young adults. However, it is important to note that the absence of a religious affiliation does not necessarily equate to a lack of spiritual beliefs or practices. Many Australians hold secular or spiritual beliefs and participate in religious activities without formally affiliating with a particular religion.
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Frequently asked questions
Christianity is the most common religion in Australia, with around 52-53% of the population identifying as Christian in the 2021 census. However, the number of Christians has decreased by more than 1 million people in recent years.
Australia has a high degree of religious freedom and diversity. Non-Christian religions include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism. The number of people with no religion is also increasing, with around 30-40% of Australians identifying as such in the 2021 census.
While Australia is a secular country, religious institutions play a significant role in society. Many schools, hospitals, aged-care facilities, and charities are owned and funded by religious organisations. Religious holidays like Easter and Christmas are also observed as public holidays. Australians tend to avoid overt displays of religiosity and generally keep their religious beliefs private.
