Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a population of around 27.9 million people, the majority of whom are considered white. The percentage of Australians with European backgrounds has been declining since the 1960s and 1970s, when the White Australia policy was abolished. However, as of the 2021 census, 57.2% of Australians identified as having European ancestry, with 46% specifically from North-West Europe and 11.2% from Southern and Eastern Europe. This is in addition to the 33.8% of Australians who identify as Oceanian, many of whom are Anglo-Celtic and have ancestors from the British Isles, particularly England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
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What You'll Learn
What is the white population of Australia?
Australia's population is estimated to be 27,940,400 as of 21 July 2025, with 29.8% born overseas as of 2020 and 76% with European ancestry as of 2016. The percentage of Australians with European backgrounds has been declining since the 1960s and 1970s, around the time the White Australia policy was abolished. The White Australia policy was an official government policy that prevented non-white immigrants from entering the country. It was largely disbanded in the early 1970s, and since then, there has been an increase in the number of immigrants from Asia, greatly changing the racial demographics of the country.
In terms of racial and ethnic diversity, Australia has become much more diverse in recent years. While it was once very white, particularly in rural areas and small towns, the country has seen an increase in immigration from various parts of the world, leading to a more multicultural society. The 2021 census reported that 57.2% of Australians had European ancestry, including 46% North-West European and 11.2% Southern and Eastern European. This percentage is thought to be higher than the census figures, as those nominating their ancestry as "Australian" are classified within the Oceanian group, and most of these are Anglo-Celtic Australians with European ancestry.
The largest statistical grouping of European Australians is Anglo-Celtic Australians, who have ancestors originating wholly or partially in the British Isles, including England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Other large European ethnic groups include Italians, who make up about 3.8% of the population, and Greeks, who represent 1.6%. Overall, the census reported that 76% of Australians were born in Europe or had parents or grandparents from Europe. When including white New Zealanders, Americans, South Africans, and Canadians, this percentage increases to 78%.
While the majority of Australians are still considered white, the Asian Australian population is expanding, and the country is observing the gradual emergence of a "Eurasian society" within its major urban hubs. The Asian population in Australia currently stands at around 7.3% and includes Chinese, Indians, Lebanese, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and Afghans, among other groups. The Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders, on the other hand, make up a small minority of anywhere between less than 1% to 3.2% of the population.
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The history of European settlement in Australia
In the early colonial years, most European settlers in Australia were convicts sent by the British government, but there were also free settlers who chose to leave their homes in Britain and establish new lives in the colony. The British government provided assistance to these free settlers, recognising the importance of making the remote colony stable and self-sufficient.
As the British expanded their settlements, conflict arose with the Aboriginal peoples as their lands were invaded, leading to violent clashes and the deaths of thousands of Aboriginal people and Europeans. Diseases carried by the colonists also took a devastating toll on the Indigenous population.
By the 1830s and 1840s, there was growing criticism of the practice of transporting convicts to Australia, and transportation to eastern Australia ended in 1852. After this, all of Australia's settlers were free. The colony of New South Wales continued to grow, and by 1850, its settler population had reached 180,000.
In the 19th century, significant immigration to Australia came from China and Germany, and in the decades following the Second World War, a large wave of immigration arrived from across Europe, particularly Southern and Eastern Europe. The percentage of Australians with European backgrounds peaked around this time, with over 70% of Australians having European ancestry in the 1960s and 1970s.
Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, Australia has embraced multiculturalism, and immigration from Asia has been a significant source of newcomers in the 21st century. As a result, the percentage of Australians with European backgrounds has been declining, and Australia's population has become more racially and ethnically diverse.
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How the percentage of white Australians has changed over time
The percentage of white Australians has changed over time, with a decline in recent decades. Since the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, the country has embraced multiculturalism, and the percentage of Australians with European backgrounds has been on a downward trajectory.
Historically, the percentage of white Australians was high due to the country's colonial past. From the late 18th century to the mid-20th century, the vast majority of settlers and immigrants arrived from the British Isles, particularly England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. During this period, people of European descent formed the majority of the population in Australia.
In the decades following the Second World War, Australia experienced a large wave of immigration from across Europe, especially Southern and Eastern Europe. This further contributed to the significant white population in the country. However, the racial demographics of Australia started to shift in the 1970s with the end of the White Australia policy, which had restricted non-white immigration.
Since then, Australia has witnessed a continuous wave of immigration from Asia, becoming the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. Consequently, the percentage of Australians with European ancestry has declined since the 1960s and 1970s. According to the 2021 census, 57.2% of Australians reported European ancestry, including 46% from North-West Europe and 11.2% from Southern and Eastern Europe.
While the percentage of white Australians has decreased, they continue to constitute a significant proportion of the population. The decline in the percentage of Europeans is attributed to the increasing immigration from other parts of the world, particularly Asia. The growing Asian Australian population has led to the emergence of a "Eurasian society" within Australia's urban centres, blending European and Asian cultures in a uniquely Australian context.
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The impact of the White Australia policy
The White Australia policy was a set of racial policies that aimed to forbid people of non-European ethnic origins – primarily Asians and Pacific Islanders – from immigrating to Australia. The policy was enacted in 1901, and successive governments dismantled it in stages between 1949 and 1973.
Impact of the White Australia Policy
The White Australia policy had a significant impact on the demographic makeup of Australia. By restricting the immigration of non-European people, the policy helped to maintain a predominantly white population in Australia for much of the 20th century. Between 1788 and the Second World War, the vast majority of settlers and immigrants to Australia came from the British Isles, contributing to the high percentage of Europeans in the population.
However, the policy also had negative consequences, including the perpetuation of racist attitudes and discrimination against non-white people. The policy was based on the idea that non-white people were inferior to whites, both morally and intellectually, and this led to tensions and concerns about non-white immigrants stealing employment opportunities from whites. The policy also contributed to the exploitation of non-white labour, as indentured workers from the Pacific Islands (known as "Kanakas") were brought to Australia and cheaply employed, causing resentment among whites who felt they were being deprived of "proper" wages.
The White Australia policy also had diplomatic repercussions, straining Australia's relationships with its Asian neighbours and contributing to a sense of racial tension and mistrust.
The gradual dismantling of the White Australia policy in the decades following World War II marked a shift towards a more inclusive and multicultural Australia. The Migration Act of 1958 abolished the discriminatory dictation test, and in 1966, the Holt government removed discrimination against non-white applicants for citizenship. In the 1970s, the Whitlam government took further steps towards equality, passing the Racial Discrimination Act in 1975, which made racially-based selection criteria for immigration unlawful.
Since the end of the White Australia policy, Australia has actively promoted multiculturalism and has seen a large wave of immigration from diverse countries, with Asia becoming the largest source of immigrants in the 21st century. As of 2020, 29.8% of Australia's population was born overseas, and the country is now much more racially and ethnically diverse, with interactions between various races becoming a daily occurrence in cities.
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The largest non-white ethnic groups in Australia
Australia has a population of around 24 million people, with nearly 90% living in urban areas. It is one of the most ethnically diverse countries in the world, with over 200 languages spoken. The country's history of colonisation and immigration has greatly influenced its ethnic makeup.
Asian Australians
Asian Australians make up 17% of the population. This includes people from East Asia, India, the Middle East, and other Asian countries. Mandarin is the most commonly spoken non-English language, with 62.7% of Mandarin speakers being first-generation Australians born in China. Arabic is the second most-spoken non-English language, with speakers born in Lebanon, Iraq, and Egypt making up more than half of this group. Punjabi has also seen a significant increase, reflecting the rise in migrants from India. Other Asian groups include Indians, Lebanese, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and Afghans.
Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders
Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders comprise 3.2% of the population. Before British colonisation in 1788, there were an estimated 300,000 to 1 million Aboriginal people, organised into around 500 tribes with distinct languages and cultures. Due to colonisation and continued immigration, the percentage of the Aboriginal population has declined over time.
Latin Americans, Africans, and Pacific Islanders
These groups collectively make up 1.8% of the population. While they represent a smaller proportion, their presence contributes to Australia's cultural diversity.
Australia's immigration policy now celebrates multiculturalism and promotes residency among people of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The country has become a desirable destination for students and workers seeking improved opportunities and a higher quality of life.
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Frequently asked questions
The white population of Australia is estimated to be between 76% and 90.2%. This includes Australians with European ancestry and those who identify as Anglo-Celtic Australians.
In Australia, a white person is defined as someone with European ancestry. This includes people from the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Greece, and Albania.
Yes, the percentage of Australians with European backgrounds has been declining since the 1960s and 1970s, around the time the White Australia policy was abolished. This policy discouraged immigration from Asia and Africa, and since its disbandment, there has been an increase in Asian immigration.
As of the 2021 census, 57.2% of Australians have European ancestry, 33.8% Oceanian, 17.4% Asian, 3.2% North African and Middle Eastern, 1.4% Peoples of the Americas, and 1.3% Sub-Saharan African.
The white population, particularly those of Anglo-Celtic heritage, has had a significant influence on shaping Australia's culture and character. This includes the predominance of the English language, a parliamentary system of government, constitutional monarchy, Christianity as the dominant religion, and popular sports such as cricket, rugby, and tennis.
