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Somalia, a country located in the northeast Horn of Africa, has been described as a failed state due to its disintegrated government and the constant warring between warlords and tribal leaders. This has caused thousands of Somalis to flee to other countries, including Australia, in search of peace and prosperity. In 2016, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 7,671 people in Australia who were born in Somalia, with a median age of 35 years. This number may be underestimated as many Somalis in Australia are refugees who have spent years, sometimes over a decade, in refugee camps in third countries before being accepted through Australia's humanitarian programme.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Population | 7,671 (2016) |
| Gender | 47.1% male, 52.9% female |
| Age | 4.4% aged 0-14, 3.7% aged 65+ |
| Median age | 35 years |
| Marital status | 53.1% married, 6.6% separated, 8.3% divorced |
| Education | 36.9% attending an educational institution, 20.5% completed Year 12 as their highest level of educational attainment |
| Employment | 39.4% full-time, 27.0% part-time, 25.7% unemployed |
| Religion | 93.4% Islam, 1.5% no religion, 0.2% Catholic, 0.1% Hinduism, 0.1% Oriental Orthodox |
| Language | 4.6% spoke English only, 73.6% spoke another language but also spoke English very well or well |
| Country of origin | Most arrived via third countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, or North Sudan |
| Refugee status | Most Somalis in Australia are refugees accepted through the humanitarian program |
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What You'll Learn
Somali refugees in Australia
Somalia has been described as a "failed state", with warlords and tribal leaders ruling different parts of the country and frequently warring with one or more factions. As a result, thousands of Somalis have fled to peaceful and prosperous Australia. Most Somalis in Australia are refugees who were accepted through Australia's humanitarian programme. They usually arrive from a third country in the region, such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea or North Sudan, having spent many years—sometimes over a decade—in refugee camps waiting to be processed. It is common for Somali refugees to be born in these surrounding countries.
The number of Somalis in Australia is often underestimated as statistics often only take into account people born in Somalia. Many Somalis may have never seen Somalia or have not returned in many years, so their perception of Somali society or culture may differ from that of people who currently live in Somalia or have visited recently. The impact of long-term displacement in the region means that support networks are growing. The Somali Community of Victoria was established in 1988, and the Somali Cultural Association in 1995, to promote Somalian culture and community support in Australia. The Somali community continues to grow. The 2016 census counted over 3,906 Somalia-born Victorians, a 15% increase in community size since the 2006 census.
Somali refugees may experience challenges settling in Australia due to post-migration stressors such as unemployment, English proficiency, and news reports of continuing violence in Somalia. Some Somalis express disappointment about the lack of education and awareness within the Australian public about their country and the Horn of Africa. They may also encounter negative stereotypes of their people as ‘pirates’ or ‘criminals’, which affects their settlement experience. Unemployment is identified as a key issue for the Somali community, with people commonly struggling to find work appropriate to their skillset. For example, many men who have years of experience as manual labourers in Somalia can only be offered unpaid apprenticeships in Australia due to their lack of formal qualifications.
Many Somalis face the additional economic responsibility of sending money to support family members in Somalia, who may remain in refugee camps where conditions are often dangerous and uncertain. The safety of these family members can be a source of deep anxiety. For example, it is reported that some Somalis living in Australia have received demands for ransom over the phone from criminals who have captured and tortured displaced family members in Libya. Such tragic news can impact the settlement experience of Somalis living in Australia. Despite these challenges, the Somali Australian community has been very resilient.
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Employment challenges for Somalis in Australia
The Somali community in Australia is relatively new, with most Somalis arriving as refugees since 1991 following the outbreak of civil war and the collapse of the government in Somalia. By 1996, there were 2,061 Somali-born people in Australia, and this number has grown significantly since. However, the number of Somalis in Australia is often underestimated as statistics often only take into account people born in Somalia, and many Somalis in Australia have arrived via third countries, having spent years in refugee camps in countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, and Sudan.
Somalis in Australia face various employment challenges. Firstly, there is a significant issue of unemployment within the community. Many Somali refugees struggle to find work that matches their skill set and are forced to take low-skilled jobs or unpaid apprenticeships due to a lack of formal qualifications. This is despite many having years of experience in fields like manual labour.
Secondly, the typical Somali adult must learn new job skills to adapt to the Australian job market. They often have to take any job available, including low-skilled jobs in construction, factories, sanitation, and security. One skill that Somalis are noted to have is animal care, which can be useful in Australia's agricultural industries. However, adjusting to life in a city and working in a factory is a significant change for many Somalis, who are used to a nomadic lifestyle.
Language barriers also pose a challenge. Many Somalis are illiterate or semi-literate when they arrive in Australia, and learning English is crucial for gaining employment. This challenge is compounded by the cultural disconnect Somalis may feel in a modern Western country, which affects their ability to adapt and integrate.
Finally, ongoing violence and instability in Somalia continue to impact the settlement experience of Somalis in Australia. They may receive distressing news about their family members who remain in dangerous situations in Somalia or other countries, which can affect their mental health and, consequently, their employment prospects.
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Somali culture and customs in Australia
The Somali community in Australia is relatively new, with most people arriving between 1991 and 2015. The majority of the population arrived as refugees following the outbreak of civil war in Somalia in 1991. By 1996, there were 2,061 Somali-born people in Australia, most of whom settled in Melbourne. The Somali community in Victoria is one of the largest in Australia, with 10,019 people of Somali ancestry, of whom 4,291 were born in Somalia. Melbourne is home to the biggest Somali community in Australia, with an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 migrants living there. The City of Wyndham is home to the largest Somali community in Victoria with 1,555 people, followed by the City of Hume with 1,326 people. The Somali community is relatively young, with the largest age groups being 0-14 (34.5%) and 15-24 (24.2%).
Somalis have a common language, adhere to a single faith, and share a cultural heritage that is integral to their nomadic lifestyle. They are a Muslim community and are active participants in the nation's cultural, social, and political scenes. The Somali Cultural Association assists Somalis in observing the holy month of Ramadan and the yearly celebrations marking the Hajj. Multicultural broadcaster SBS broadcasts radio programs with news and information in Somali. The Somali community in Queensland is centred around the suburb of Moorooka, where many East African shops are located. The Somali Community Association of QLD is an organisation that supports Somali Australians in Brisbane and hosts community celebrations such as Eid and Somali Independence Day.
Somali refugees may experience challenges settling in Australia due to post-migration stressors such as unemployment, English proficiency, and news reports of continuing violence in Somalia. Many Somali adults have to learn new job skills to survive in Australia, often taking low-skilled jobs in construction, factories, sanitation, and security. They may also encounter negative stereotypes of their people as 'pirates' or 'criminals' among the Australian public. However, the Somali Australian community has been resilient, with many becoming entrepreneurs, opening businesses, and pursuing higher education. Somali restaurants and shops have provided a connection to their culture, and multicultural mosques have helped develop a sense of universal connection to the Muslim world.
Despite the challenges, the Somali community in Australia has demonstrated unity and self-reliance. They generally see themselves as a single community and prefer to set aside clan politics or divisions. Community mobilisation has been visible through initiatives like the Diverse Australia Program, which supports Somali community organisations.
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Somali language and literacy in Australia
The Somali community in Australia is a relatively new one, with most people arriving between 1991 and 2010. The community has high levels of English language proficiency, with 76.9% of the Somali-born population in Victoria speaking English 'very well' or 'well'. However, it is important to note that there are many in the community who may require in-language information and resources, particularly more recent arrivals and older people.
The typical Somali adult must learn new job skills to survive in Australia, and learning English is a priority. Many Somalis take any job that puts food on the table, often in low-skilled areas such as construction, factories, sanitation, and security. These jobs are a significant change for Somalis, who often have experience in manual labour and taking care of animals. Australia's modern Western ways and lifestyle are a shock to Somalis, and learning English is crucial for their success in the country.
Somalis face challenges in adapting to life in Australia due to their varying levels of literacy. Many Somalis are illiterate or semi-literate when they arrive, and learning to speak, read, and write in English is essential for integration. The Somali community is united and self-reliant, and they have managed to successfully adapt to their new country, with most Somalis in Australia arriving as refugees.
The Somali language has many dialects, with the main one being Standard Somali, based on the Northern/Central dialect. In Victoria, some Somalis also speak Arabic, and the community has a high level of English language proficiency. However, it is important to provide plain language information and resources to ensure effective communication with the Somali community, especially for those who may have lower English proficiency.
The Somali community in Australia is relatively young, with the largest cohorts aged from 0-14 (34.5%) and 15-24 (24.2%). They face challenges such as unemployment and adapting to a new culture, but they have also retained their strong sense of community and unity.
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Somali community mobilisation in Australia
The Somali community in Australia is relatively new, with most Somalis having arrived as refugees since 1991 following the outbreak of the civil war and the collapse of the Somali government. By 1996, there were 2,061 Somali-born people in Australia, most of whom were processed through Nairobi, Kenya, and settled in Melbourne. The 2016 census recorded 7,668 Somalia-born people in Australia, an increase of 34.9% from the 2011 census. The 2021 census, which used "ancestry" data to determine statistics, counted 18,401 people identifying their ancestry as "Somali".
Somalis generally see themselves as a single community in Australia and prefer to set aside clan politics or divisions. Their unity is demonstrated through community mobilisation, with Somali communities being some of the most self-reliant and self-sufficient African refugee communities in the country. However, they face various challenges, including unemployment, housing, language barriers, and separation from family members still living in refugee camps or dangerous situations in other countries.
To address these challenges, Somalis in Australia have established various community organisations and support networks. These include the Somali Community of Victoria, founded in 1988 to offer support and promote Somali culture, and the Somali Cultural Association, established in 1995 to assist Somalis in observing religious traditions and celebrations. The Somali Community Association of QLD is another organisation that supports Somali Australians in Brisbane and hosts community events.
Somali Australians are active in the nation's cultural, social, and political scenes. They contribute significantly to local businesses, with many opening restaurants and shops that provide a connection to their culture. Melbourne has become home to the biggest Somali community in Australia, with an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 migrants living there. Multicultural broadcaster SBS also broadcasts news and information in Somali, as well as Somali broadcaster Universal TV's Warka news program.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 2016 Census, there were 7,671 people in Australia who were born in Somalia.
Somalis in Australia generally see themselves as a single community and prefer to set aside clan politics or divisions. They are some of the most self-reliant and self-sufficient African refugee communities in Australia. However, unemployment is a key issue, with many struggling to find work appropriate to their skill set.
The 2016 Census found that the most common responses to the religion question for people born in Somalia were Islam (93.4%), No Religion (1.5%), Catholic (0.2%), Hinduism (0.1%), and Oriental Orthodox (0.1%). While Somalis are Sunni, the largest branch of Islam, numerous beliefs and traditions have been intermingled with their Islamic practices.
Coming to a modern Western country like Australia can be a shock to Somalis. Learning English, finding suitable housing, and getting their children into school are some of the initial challenges they face. Additionally, many Somali adults must learn new job skills and take up low-skilled jobs to survive.
Yes, it is important to note that many Somalis in Australia are refugees who have fled their country due to its unstable political situation. They often spend years in refugee camps in third countries before being accepted through Australia's humanitarian programme. This long-term displacement means that some Somalis may have never seen Somalia or have not returned in many years.
