Lyla Lindsey
Australia is a diverse country with a variety of religions and spiritual beliefs. While Christianity is the largest religion in Australia, with 43.9% of the population identifying as Christian in the 2021 census, there are also significant populations of people who follow other faiths or have no religious affiliation at all. Western Australia is an interesting case study in this regard, as it has the highest number of people practising Aboriginal traditional religions and is one of the states with the highest proportion of people with no religious affiliation. So, what is the main religion in Western Australia, and how does it compare to the rest of the country?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest religious group | Western (Roman) Catholic (18.6%) |
| People with no religion | 42.8% |
| People who did not answer the question on religion | 7.5% |
| People who practice Australian Aboriginal traditional religions | 1,096 |
| Largest non-Christian religions in Western Australia | Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism |
| Percentage of people who identify as Christian | 43.9% |
| Percentage of people who identify as having no religion | 38.9% |
| Main religions in the "Other Religion" category | Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism |
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What You'll Learn
Western Australia's most popular religion
Christianity has been the predominant religion in Australia since British colonisation in 1788. In the 2021 census, 43.9% of Australians identified as Christian, a decrease from 52.1% in the 2016 census. The Anglican Church, also known as the Church of England until 1981, was the main religious denomination in Australia during the 19th and 20th centuries. However, in recent decades, there has been a steady decline in Anglican affiliation, with the number of adherents dropping from 3.1 million in 2016 to 2.5 million in 2021.
The religious composition of the states and territories in Australia varies. While Queensland and New South Wales had Christian majorities in 2016, with 56.03% and 55.18% respectively, the lowest proportion of Christians were found in the Northern Territory (47.69%) and the Australian Capital Territory (45.38%). The Northern Territory also had the highest number of people practising Aboriginal traditional religions in 2021, with 3,437 adherents, followed by New South Wales (1,422), Western Australia (1,096) and Queensland (979).
Non-Christian religions in Australia include Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and Judaism. Islam is the largest non-Christian religion, with 3.2% of the total population, followed by Hinduism at 2.7%. Buddhism, the third-largest non-Christian religion in Australia, has seen steady growth due to migration from Southeast Asia, China, and Sri Lanka. The number of Buddhists in Australia is around 615,800 adherents, or 2.4% of the population.
While regular church attendance has been declining, with a more than 50% decrease in around four decades, the total number of churchgoers in Australia was around 3.6 million in 2011. Additionally, the number of people with no religious affiliation continues to grow, with 38.9% of Australians reporting no religion in the 2021 census, up from 30.1% in 2016.
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Aboriginal traditional religions in Western Australia
Western Australia's largest religious group is Western (Roman) Catholic, with 18.6% of the population adhering to this faith. However, a significant proportion of the population has no religious affiliation, with 42.8% identifying as non-religious in the 2021 census.
Among the diverse religious beliefs in Western Australia, Aboriginal traditional religions hold a significant place. Aboriginal spirituality in Western Australia is deeply connected to the land and its landscapes. The Wandjina spirits, for instance, are revered in the northern Kimberley region by the Ngarinyin, Worora, and Wunambal tribes. These spirits are believed to bring the Wet Season rains and lay down laws for the people. As one moves eastward, other deities like Yagjagbula and Jabirringgi, known as the Lightning Brothers, take on similar roles for the Wardaman tribe in the Victoria River District.
Aboriginal religion and mythology are expressed through stories, ceremonies, and oral literature. The Dreaming (or Dreamtime) forms the basis of Aboriginal spirituality, influencing their behaviour, laws, and societal order. The Creation Period, as it is known in Aboriginal culture, is a fundamental aspect of their beliefs, with each linguistic region having its own unique understanding of this time. During this period, Ancestral Beings shaped the landforms and created the first animals and plants.
Aboriginal people interpret dreams as memories of the Creation Period, believing in reincarnation and the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and plants. They do not subscribe to animism, the belief that all objects possess souls. Instead, they attribute objects' creation to specific deities.
While the 2021 census recorded 7,887 people practising Australian Aboriginal traditional religions, the actual number may be higher. The census question about religion is optional, and Aboriginal traditional beliefs are not included as a specific category, potentially leading to underreporting.
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The rise of non-religious people in Western Australia
Western Australia's religious landscape is diverse, with a range of religious groups and beliefs co-existing. While the region has historically been predominantly Christian, there has been a notable rise in the number of non-religious people in recent years. This trend mirrors the broader pattern seen across Australia, where the number of individuals identifying with no religion is on the rise.
In the 2021 Census, 42.8% of people in Western Australia stated they had no religion, a significant increase from the previous census. This trend is not unique to Western Australia, as the proportion of Australians identifying with no religion has been steadily rising over the past five decades. In 2016, 30.1% of Australians reported having no religious affiliation, and this number increased to 38.9% in 2021. This shift is particularly noticeable among younger generations, who are less likely to be affiliated with a religion than their older counterparts.
Several factors contribute to the rise of non-religious people in Western Australia and Australia more broadly. One factor is the increasing cultural diversity brought about by migration. Since the 1970s, Australia has experienced a shift in migration patterns, with an increase in migrants from countries where non-religious populations are significant, such as China, Japan, Taiwan, and Canada. This shift has contributed to the growing diversity of religious beliefs in the country, with non-Christian religions also on the rise.
Another factor influencing the rise of non-religious individuals in Western Australia is the changing social and cultural landscape. Belief in religion tends to be stronger among older populations, and as societal values and belief systems evolve, there has been a move away from traditional religious affiliations, particularly among younger generations. Additionally, the way the census question about religion is presented may also impact the responses received. Over time, amendments have been made to reflect Australia's changing religious profile, and these changes may influence how individuals respond to the question of religious affiliation.
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The decline of Christianity in Western Australia
Christianity has been declining in Western Australia, as well as in the wider Western world, since the end of World War II. In 1971, Christians represented 86.2% of the Australian population, but by 2021, Christians were down to 43.9% of the population. In Western Australia specifically, the largest religious group in 2021 was Western (Roman) Catholic, with 18.6% of the population, while 42.8% of people had no religion.
There are several interrelated sociological reasons for the decline in mainstream Christianity in Australia. These include improvements in education and prosperity, along with internal institutional issues, such as the child abuse scandal, the role of women, and issues of sexual ethics. The media's focus on Christianity's more extreme elements, such as arguments against inclusivity, may also be driving people away. In addition, the authority of the Church on matters of faith, belonging, and sexuality has been challenged by the evolution of the autonomous 'thinking self'. This 'turn to the self' or 'me'-focused mentality is increasingly prevalent in Western culture, with people feeling they 'don't need religion to go to God'.
The diversification of Australia's cultural and ethnic makeup since World War II has also contributed to the decline of Christianity in Western Australia. The number of Anglicans attending regular worship began to decline in 1959, and figures for occasional services (baptisms, confirmations, weddings, and funerals) started to drop after 1966. Further waves of migration and the gradual dismantling of the White Australia Policy reshaped the religious profile of Australia.
The decline in Christianity in Western Australia is also reflected in church attendance figures. While the Catholic Church represents the highest number of churchgoers, with over 50% attendance, its attendance is declining at a rate of 13%. The number of people identifying with religions other than Christianity in Australia has grown from 3.5% in 1996 to 10% in 2021, while the number of people with no religious affiliation has also increased, from 6.7% in 1971 to 38.9% in 2021.
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Other religions in Western Australia
Western Australia, like the rest of the country, is predominantly Christian, with 43.9% of Australians identifying as Christian in the 2021 census. However, this number is decreasing, with a notable drop of 8.2% in the five years between 2016 and 2021. The second-largest classification in the 2021 census was the 38.9% who identified as having "no religion".
Other religions are also present in Western Australia, with the state's religion statistics providing an indicator of cultural identity and ethnicity when observed alongside other variables such as country of birth, ethnic background, and age.
Buddhism
Buddhism is one of the non-Christian religions practised in Western Australia. The three main traditions of Buddhism—Theravada, East Asian, and Tibetan—are all represented in Australia. The 2021 census recorded 615,800 Buddhists in Australia, comprising 2.4% of the total population. Western Australia is home to the Bodhinyana Monastery, a Theravadin Buddhist monastery in the Thai Forest Tradition.
Islam
Islam is the largest non-Christian religion in Australia, with followers comprising 3.2% of the total population. The Australian gold rushes brought Muslim "Afghan Cameleers" to the country, marking the early presence of Islam in Australia.
Hinduism
Hinduism is the second-largest non-Christian religion in Australia, with approximately 2.7% of the total population following this faith. The median age for Hindus in Australia is 31 years, indicating a relatively young demographic.
Sikhism
Sikhism has been one of the fastest-growing religions in Australia in recent years. Between 2011 and 2021, the Sikh population in Australia grew from 72,000 to 210,400, an average growth rate of 14.8% per year.
Judaism
Judaism is another non-Christian religion practised in Australia, with less than 1% of the total population following this faith. Jews started arriving in Australia in the early 19th century, and they are included in the country's first religious census in 1828.
Paganism and Witchcraft
The early history of Australian Paganism is obscure, but it has been a part of the country's religious landscape for over a century. Theosophists and spiritualists arrived in Australia in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Occult orders and Wiccan traditions became more prevalent in the 1960s and 1970s. In the 2001 census, 24,157 people identified with a Pagan religion, including Wiccans, nature religion adherents, Pantheists, Animists, and Druids. University clubs dedicated to Pagan and alternative spiritualities have also emerged in the 2000s.
Baháʼí Faith
The Baháʼí Faith arrived in Australia in 1922 and has since grown as a religious minority. The Sydney Baháʼí Temple, dedicated in 1961, is considered one of Sydney's most significant religious buildings. Census data from 2016 reported a population of 13,988 Baháʼís in Australia.
Aboriginal Traditional Religions
In the 2021 census, 7,887 people were recorded as practising Australian Aboriginal traditional religions. Western Australia had the third-highest number of adherents, with 1,096 people.
Yazidis
Yazidis, an ancient religious minority, have also found refuge in Australia due to religious persecution in their home countries. The number of Yazidis in Australia increased from 63 people in 2016 to 4,123 in 2021, largely due to Australia's Humanitarian Program.
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Frequently asked questions
The largest single religion in Western Australia is Western (Roman) Catholic, with 18.6% of the population or 495,423 people identifying as adherents in 2021.
The second-largest religion in Western Australia is Islam, with followers comprising 3.2% of the total population.
In 2021, 42.8% of people in Western Australia had no religion, making it the most common "belief" category in the state.
The religion with the highest proportional growth since the 2016 Census has been the Yezidi religion, with an increase of 6,444%.
