
Australia has a large Asian population, with 17.4% of the country identifying as Asian in the 2021 census. The largest group within this are Chinese Australians, who are the largest Asian community in the country and make up 5.5% of the population. Sydney is the primary destination for Chinese immigrants, with Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide also being popular choices. This is due to a variety of factors, including thriving economies, educational institutions, and cultural attractions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| City with the largest Asian population | Sydney |
| Population of Sydney in 2025 | 5,249,000 |
| Percentage increase in population from 2024 to 2025 | 1.23% |
| Sydney's rank among Australian cities by population | Second largest |
| Percentage of Sydney's population with Chinese ancestry | 8.93% |
| Sydney's rank among Australian cities for Chinese population | First |
| Other cities with large Chinese populations | Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide |
| Asian ancestries in Australia | Chinese, Indian, Middle Eastern |
| Percentage of Australians with Asian ancestry | 17.4% |
| Breakdown of Asian ancestries | 6.5% Southern and Central Asia, 6.4% North-East Asia, 4.5% South-East Asia |
| Percentage of Australians with Chinese ancestry | 5.5% |
| Number of Australian residents with Chinese ancestry | 1,390,637 |
| Number of Australian residents born in mainland China | 677,240 |
| Number of Australian residents born in Hong Kong | 101,290 |
| Number of Australian residents born in Taiwan | 59,250 |
| Number of Australian residents born in Macau | 3,130 |
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What You'll Learn

Sydney's Asian population
Sydney, Australia's most populous city, has a large Asian population. In the 2021 census, 43.2% of the population of Sydney were born overseas, with Mainland China, India, England, Vietnam, and the Philippines being the most common countries of birth. 42% of people in Sydney speak a language other than English at home, with Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Hindi being the most widely spoken languages. Sydney also has a notable Ghanaian community, with an unusually large number of Ghanaian churches.
Chinese Australians constitute Sydney's fourth-largest ancestry group, and the city is a primary destination for Chinese immigrants. Sydney's thriving economy, educational institutions, and vibrant Chinese culture attract many Chinese immigrants. The number of Chinese-born people in Australia has been increasing, with many transitioning from long-term visa holders to permanent residents and citizens.
Sydney also has a significant Indian community, which is the fastest-growing group in Australia. More than 200,000 people born in India were added to the Australian population in the last census period. The Indian community in Sydney is concentrated in the northwest of Greater Sydney, an area with a high status and desirable amenities, indicating a case of congregation rather than segregation.
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Melbourne's Asian population
Melbourne, the cultural capital of Australia, boasts a diverse and vibrant Asian population, contributing immensely to the city's rich cultural fabric. As of the latest census in 2021, Melbourne is home to a substantial Asian population, with approximately 923,468 residents of Asian descent, accounting for about 20.9% of the city's total population. This significant presence of the Asian community makes Melbourne a true multicultural hub, influencing various aspects of the city's life, from cuisine and arts to business and community engagement.
The Asian population in Melbourne is diverse, with individuals and communities hailing from various Asian countries and regions, each bringing their unique cultural heritage and traditions. The largest subgroup within Melbourne's Asian population are those with Chinese ancestry, who make up about 51.5% of the Asian Australian population in the city. Other significant communities include those of Vietnamese, Indian, Filipino, and Malaysian descent, among others, showcasing the breadth of Asian representation in Melbourne.
This diversity is further reflected in the variety of Asian cuisines available in Melbourne, with the city offering an array of authentic dining options, from mouthwatering Chinese dim sum and fiery Sichuan dishes to flavorful Vietnamese pho and vibrant Indian curries. Melbourne's culinary scene truly showcases the depth and variety of Asian gastronomic delights, satisfying the taste buds of both locals and tourists alike.
Melbourne's Asian communities are well-integrated into the city's social and economic fabric, with many successful Asian-owned businesses and enterprises contributing to the local economy. Asian Australians are also well-represented in various professional fields, including medicine, law, academia, and the creative industries, further emphasizing their significant role in shaping Melbourne's future.
The influence of Asian culture is evident in Melbourne's arts and cultural scene, with numerous festivals, events, and exhibitions celebrating the rich traditions and contemporary expressions of Asia. The famous Lunar New Year celebrations, vibrant Diwali festivals, and colorful Lunar Lantern displays are just some examples of how Melbourne embraces and showcases its Asian cultural heritage.
In summary, Melbourne proudly hosts one of the largest and most diverse Asian populations in Australia, contributing to its reputation as a truly global city. The presence of vibrant Asian communities enhances Melbourne's cultural landscape, making it a dynamic and exciting place to live and visit. This unique blend of cultures is an integral part of Melbourne's identity, and the city continues to benefit from the rich traditions and modern innovations that its Asian residents bring.
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Brisbane's Asian population
Brisbane is the third-most populous city in Australia, with a population of approximately 2.8 million. It is the capital of the state of Queensland and is a diverse city, with over 36% of its metropolitan population being foreign-born.
According to the 2021 census, 17.4% of the Australian population identified as having Asian ancestry. While I cannot find a precise figure for Brisbane, we can infer that a significant portion of that 36% of foreign-born residents are of Asian descent. This is supported by the fact that Brisbane has the largest Taiwanese-born population of any city in Australia and that Mandarin, Vietnamese, Punjabi, and Cantonese are commonly spoken languages in the city. Brisbane also has the largest New Zealand-born population of any Australian city, and New Zealand is home to a significant Asian population, with East Asians making up around 15% of the country's population.
Brisbane's Chinese population specifically has experienced rapid growth in recent years. While Sydney and Melbourne remain the top destinations for Chinese immigrants, Brisbane is now home to a significant number of Chinese Australians. This is due in part to the city's attractive lifestyle, affordable housing, and beautiful surroundings.
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Perth's Asian population
As of 2023, Sydney is the Australian city with the largest Asian population, with approximately 1.5 million people of Asian descent calling the city home. This represents around 40% of Sydney's total population. However, Perth, located in the western state of Australia, also boasts a significant and growing Asian population, which has been a defining feature of the city's cultural landscape for decades.
According to the 2016 census, about 15.4% of Perth's population was of Asian descent, which equated to roughly 220,000 people. This placed Perth as the Australian city with the third-highest proportion of Asian residents, after Sydney and Melbourne. Within this Asian population in Perth, the largest subgroup is made up of those with Chinese heritage, followed by Indians, Filipinos, Vietnamese, and Thais. Each of these communities has contributed significantly to the cultural diversity of Perth, bringing their unique traditions, cuisines, and cultural practices to the city.
The history of Asian migration to Perth is a long and varied one. Initially, significant numbers of Asians, particularly the Chinese, migrated to Perth during the gold rush in the late 19th century. This was followed by another wave of Chinese migration in the 1980s and 1990s, coinciding with a surge in international student enrollments at Western Australian universities. Other Asian communities, such as the Indians and Filipinos, have also steadily grown over the years, with many attracted by the job opportunities in Perth, particularly in the healthcare and resource sectors.
In recent years, the Asian population in Perth has continued to grow and diversify. Suburbs like Northbridge, Victoria Park, and Subiaco have become cultural melting pots, known for their vibrant Asian restaurants, supermarkets, and community events. These areas have become hubs for new migrants, with many choosing to settle in these locations due to their established community networks and easy access to Asian produce and cultural offerings.
The influence of Perth's Asian population can be seen and felt across the city, from the abundance of Asian restaurants and grocery stores to the annual cultural festivals and events that celebrate the diversity of the Asian communities. The Moon Festival, for example, is a popular event that celebrates Chinese and Vietnamese culture and attracts thousands of attendees each year. These cultural celebrations not only showcase the traditions of these communities but also foster a sense of belonging and pride among Perth's Asian residents.
Overall, Perth's Asian population continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the city's cultural identity, contributing to its economic growth, and enhancing its social fabric. With ongoing migration and the increasing appeal of Perth as a destination for international students and skilled migrants, the Asian population in Perth is set to continue growing and diversifying, adding to the rich multicultural tapestry of the city.
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Adelaide's Asian population
According to the 2021 census, 17.4% of Australians identify as having Asian ancestry. This includes Australians with ancestries from Southern and Central Asia (6.5%), North-East Asia (6.4%), and South-East Asia (4.5%). Asian Australians have contributed to various sectors in Australia, including entertainment, journalism, sports, and politics.
While the sources do not provide a definitive ranking of Australian cities by Asian population, they do mention that Sydney and Melbourne have large Chinese and Indian populations. Adelaide, the focus of this response, is also mentioned as a city with a significant Asian population.
Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, has a notable Asian population, with a significant proportion of residents having Chinese ancestry. In the 2016 Census, it was reported that 56.3% of people in Adelaide (State Suburbs) had both parents born overseas. While the specific breakdown of Asian ancestries for this city is not readily available, we do know that Adelaide's Asian population is significant and growing.
Adelaide has become an increasingly popular choice for Chinese immigrants, offering a more affordable cost of living than other major cities. The city's population is projected to reach 1,393,000 in 2025, a 1.02% increase from 2024. While this growth rate is lower than that of other major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, Adelaide still attracts a significant number of Asian immigrants.
The City of Adelaide and Greater Adelaide show some differences in their population ancestries. The City of Adelaide has a larger percentage of people with Chinese ancestry (20.0%) compared to Greater Adelaide (4.1%). This indicates a higher concentration of Chinese Australians within the city itself.
Notable Asian Australians from Adelaide include Poh Ling Yeow, a cook and television presenter who gained national attention as a contestant on MasterChef Australia. Yeow was born in Adelaide and went on to host her own cooking series, "Poh's Kitchen," which was filmed in her hometown.
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Frequently asked questions
Sydney has the largest Asian population in Australia. It is the primary destination for Asian immigrants, particularly those of Chinese and Indian descent.
At the 2021 census, 17.4% of the population identified as Asian.
Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide are also home to significant Asian communities, with Chinese Australians constituting the fourth-largest ancestry group in Sydney and Melbourne.











































