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Australia is a diverse country with a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. In 2016, the Australian Census of Population and Housing determined that around three-fifths of Australians were affiliated with some type of religion or spiritual practice. While Christianity is the largest religious group in Australia, it is not the fastest-growing. According to the 2021 census, Hinduism is the fastest-growing religion in Australia, with a 55% increase, largely due to immigration from countries like India and Nepal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of followers | 684,002 (2.7% of the population) as of the 2021 census |
| Youthfulness | 34% under the age of 14 and 66% under the age of 34 |
| Fertility rate | 1.81 (second least in Australia) |
| Median age | 31 years |
| Discrimination | 75% of Hindu Australians have experienced discrimination |
| Growth rate | 12% per year since 2011 |
| Growth reason | Immigration from India and Nepal |
| States with higher proportions | New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania |
| Languages spoken | Hindi (22.7%), Nepali (16.3%), and English (13%) |
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What You'll Learn
Hindu migration to Australia
Hinduism is the third-largest religion in Australia, with more than 684,002 followers, constituting 2.7% of the population as of the 2021 census. It is the fastest-growing religion in the country, largely due to immigration.
The first Hindu migrants are believed to have arrived in Australia in the 19th century. During the 1830s, more Indians started to arrive in Australia as indentured labourers when the penal transport of convicts to New South Wales was slowing before being abolished in 1840. The demand for foreign manual labour was filled by Indians who came from agrarian backgrounds and worked as farm labourers and shepherds. In 1844, P. Friell brought 25 domestic workers from India to Sydney, including women and children. The gold rush years also attracted many Indians to Australia.
In the 2016 Census, 44.16% of all Australians born in India were Hindu, as were 47.20% of those born in Fiji, 1.84% born in Indonesia, 3.42% from Malaysia, and 18.61% from Sri Lanka. The states and territories with the highest proportion of Hindus are the Australian Capital Territory (2.57%) and New South Wales (2.43%), whereas those with the lowest are Queensland (0.98%) and Tasmania (0.5%). However, Tasmania has seen the highest growth rate in Hinduism since the 2016 Census, with the proportion of people affiliated with Hinduism increasing from 0.5% to 1.7% of the population from 2016 to 2021.
The majority of Australian Hindus live along the Eastern Coast of Australia, mainly in the cities of Melbourne and Sydney. About 39% of Hindus live in Greater Sydney, 29% in Greater Melbourne, and 8% each in Greater Brisbane and Greater Perth. The ISKCON Hindu community in Australia has 60,000 members, 70% of whom are Hindus from overseas, and the remaining 30% are Anglo Australians.
The Hindus in Australia are mostly of Indian origin, with other origins including Sri Lanka, Fiji, Malaysia, Bali, Cham, Singapore, Mauritius, and Nepal. In 2017–18, India was the largest source of new permanent annual migrants to Australia, and Indians were the most educated migrant group, with 54.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, more than three times Australia's national average.
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Youthful religious demographics
Hinduism is one of the most youthful religions in Australia. In the 2021 census, 684,002 people identified as Hindu, making up 2.7% of the population. Of these, 34% were under the age of 14, and 66% were under the age of 34. The median age for Hindus in Australia is 31 years. In comparison, the median age for Sikhs is 30, and for Muslims, it is 28.
The growth of Hinduism in Australia is largely driven by immigration, with the country experiencing waves of migration from countries with large Hindu populations such as India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Malaysia, Bali, Singapore, Mauritius, and Nepal. In the 19th century, the British brought Hindus from India to work on cotton and sugar plantations. Many of these migrants remained and worked as small businessmen, camel drivers, merchants, and hawkers.
Since the 1970s, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria have had higher proportions of Hindus than other states and territories. However, Tasmania has seen the highest growth rate in Hinduism since the 2016 census, with the proportion of Hindus increasing from 0.5% to 1.7% of the population between 2016 and 2021.
The Hindu population in Australia has grown rapidly in recent years. Between the 1996 and 2006 censuses, the number of Hindus more than doubled from 21,000 to around 148,000 people. From 2006 to 2016, Hinduism experienced a 500% growth rate, and it is now the third or fourth largest religion in Australia. The 2021 census recorded a 55% increase in the number of Hindus since 2016, with more than 684,000 people identifying as Hindu.
The growth of Hinduism in Australia is also influenced by conversion. The ISKCON Hindu community in Australia has 60,000 members, 70% of whom are Hindus from overseas, while the remaining 30% are Anglo Australians. Additionally, many Caucasians in Australia visit the Hindu temple at Carrum Downs (Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple) and learn Vedic Hindu scriptures in Tamil.
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High fertility rates
Hinduism is the fastest-growing religion in Australia, with a growth rate of 12% per year since 2011. The 2021 census recorded more than 684,000 Hindus in Australia, constituting 2.7% of the population. This figure represents a 55% increase since the previous census in 2016.
This growth is attributed to various factors, including high fertility rates among Hindus in Australia. While the total fertility rate (TFR) among Hindus is the second lowest in Australia at 1.81, it still contributes to population growth. This rate is higher than that of Christians at 2.11 and Buddhists at 1.79, but lower than Muslims at 3.03.
The high fertility rates among Hindus in Australia can be influenced by various factors, including cultural and religious beliefs, family values, and social norms. Hindu families may have a preference for larger families or believe in having multiple children as a cultural or religious tradition. Additionally, extended family structures common in Hindu communities can provide additional support for parents, making it easier to have more children.
Furthermore, the young age profile of Hindus in Australia contributes to the high fertility rate. With 34% of Hindus being under the age of 14 and 66% under the age of 34, there is a higher proportion of individuals in their reproductive years, leading to an increased number of births.
It is worth noting that the fertility rates of any religious group can fluctuate over time due to various social, economic, and cultural factors. Additionally, these rates can be influenced by migration patterns, as the arrival of migrants from high-fertility regions can impact the overall fertility rate of a specific religious group in a given country.
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Increased temple attendance
Australia is a diverse country with people of various ethnic and religious backgrounds. The country has witnessed a significant growth in the number of Hindus, making it the fastest-growing religion in Australia. This growth is largely attributed to immigration, with a notable increase in migrants from India and Nepal.
The first Hindu migrants are believed to have arrived in Australia in the 19th century, brought by the British to work on cotton and sugar plantations. Over time, many Hindus settled in the country and established themselves as small businessmen, camel drivers, merchants, and hawkers. The population of Hindus in Australia increased significantly from the 1960s and 1970s, with a notable presence in New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria.
The construction of Hindu temples and the establishment of Hindu societies have played a crucial role in fostering a sense of community among Hindus in Australia. The first Hindu temple, the Sri Mandir Temple, was built in 1977 in Auburn, NSW. Since then, several other temples have been established, providing spaces for religious gatherings and the practice of Hindu rituals.
One notable example of increased temple attendance and the growing presence of Hinduism in Australia is the Shri Shiva Vishnu Temple, also known as the Carrum Downs Temple, which attracts many Caucasians who visit to learn about Hinduism and practice Vedic Hindu scriptures in Tamil. This temple, along with two others, was vandalized in January 2023 by Khalistani extremists, highlighting the challenges faced by the Hindu community in Australia despite their growing presence.
The ISKCON Hindu community in Australia has also contributed to the increased temple attendance, with a significant number of members, including both Hindus from overseas and Anglo-Australians. Their presence and activities have likely encouraged a deeper exploration and practice of Hinduism in the country.
In conclusion, the increased temple attendance and the growth of Hinduism in Australia are interconnected. The construction of temples and the establishment of societies have provided spaces for Hindus to gather, practice their faith, and connect with their cultural and religious roots. This, coupled with the arrival of migrants from Hindu-majority countries, has contributed to the increasing visibility and presence of Hinduism in Australia's religious landscape.
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Discrimination against Hindus
Australia is a diverse country with people of many ethnic and religious backgrounds. In recent years, Hinduism has been the fastest-growing religion in the country. The first Hindu migrants are believed to have arrived in Australia in the 19th century, and since the 1970s, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria have had higher proportions of religious affiliation with Hinduism than other states and territories.
However, despite their increasing numbers, Hindus in Australia have faced discrimination and racism. In 2009, there were a series of violent attacks on Indian students in Melbourne, which led to widespread protests and a dip in student enrollment numbers. Of 152 reported assaults against Indian students that year, 23 involved racial overtones. The Indian press labelled the phenomenon "curry bashing", reporting that Indian students were being targeted and were easy victims. The Australian government was compelled to apologise, and then-Prime Minister Kevin Rudd visited India to mend diplomatic ties.
Even before the pandemic, Hindus of Indian heritage in Australia reported experiencing high levels of "subtle racism" in their daily lives. This could range from being told to "go back to where [they] came from" in public places, to being asked to prove their worth and qualifications when carrying out jobs that are not regarded as stereotypically "Indian". In 2020, government figures showed that Indian-born residents ranked second in the country, yet it appears that those of Indian origin still do not matter enough in the mainstream Australian public sphere. This was highlighted by the federal government's punitive travel ban on flights from COVID-ravaged India, which many critics decried as racist.
In addition, a report by Amnesty International Australia found that 75% of Hindus reported being discriminated against on the basis of their religion or culture on public transport or on the street, with a further 70% reporting discrimination in educational settings.
It is clear that racism is a significant and growing problem in Australia, with Hindus and other religious minorities bearing the brunt of it. Understanding the extent of the problem is the first step towards eradicating it.
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Frequently asked questions
Hinduism is the fastest-growing religion in Australia due to the arrival of a greater number of migrants from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Malaysia, Bali, Cham, Singapore, Mauritius, and Bhutan.
The 2021 census recorded more than 684,000 Hindus in Australia, making up 2.7% of the population.
Hinduism is one of the most youthful religions in Australia, with 34% and 66% of Hindus being under the age of 14 and 34, respectively. The median age for Hindus in Australia is 31 years.
Hindus in Australia are well-educated professionals in fields such as medicine, engineering, commerce, and information technology.
The first Hindu migrants are believed to have arrived in Australia in the 19th century. Since the 1970s, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria have had higher proportions of religious affiliation with Hinduism than other states and territories. The gold rush years in the 1850s attracted many Indians to Australia, and the population increased dramatically from the 1960s and 1970s.
