Government of Western Australia
Department of Local Government and Communities
Office of Multicultural Interests
Age and gender
the proportion of people aged over 55 was much lower
for those born in the United Kingdom (45%),
New Zealand (19%) and Australia (20%)
the proportion of people aged over 65 was significantly
lower for those born in the United Kingdom (24%),
New Zealand (6%) and Australia (10%).
In 2011, Western Australia’s overseas-born population was
older compared with the Australia-born. The 2011 Census
showed that:
the majority (82%) of the overseas-born population was
aged over 25 years:
33% were aged 25–44
32% were aged 55 years and over
the age profile for NMES-born was similar to the
total overseas-born, but with a slightly larger proportion
of people aged 15–44 years (48% compared with 43%)
compared with the overseas-born, the Australia-born
population had:
a significantly larger proportion of people aged
0–24 years (41% compared with 18%)
more than half (59%) aged over 25 years.
0–14
Male
Female
Person
Overseas-born
15–24
Equal numbers of people come from English and
non-English speaking countries
The sex ratio (men per 100 women) was similar for the
State’s Australia-born (99.5) and overseas-born (101.5)
populations. However, there were:
Just over half (53%) of the overseas-born were from
main English speaking countries (MESC), mainly the
United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa.
Just under half (47%) were born in non-main English
speaking countries (NMESC).
The NMESC-born population has increased by
39% since 2006.
The MESC-born population has decreased by
21% since 2006.
The top five overseas birthplaces were the
United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa,
India and Malaysia.
The top five ancestries other than Australian were
English, Irish, Scottish, Italian and Chinese.
more women than men aged over 65 in both groups
more boys than girls aged 0–14 years in both groups
more men than women born in Turkey (134), Iraq (121.2),
Malta (119.6) and India (119.5)
more women than men born in Thailand (39),
Japan (43.5), Philippines (73.9) and Indonesia (74.1).
25–44
45–54
55–64
Total
26.5
15.8
27.3
11.8
9.7
100
25.1
15.2
27.1
11.8
9.9
100
25.8
0–14
15.5
15–24
27.2
25–44
11.8
45–54
9.8
55–64
There is great diversity in age and gender
100
The overseas-born were older compared with the
Australia-born.
A majority of the overseas population were aged
25–44 years (33%) or over 55 years (32%).
European birthplace groups are older compared with
other overseas-born groups.
Almost 60% of the Italy- and Greece-born are aged
65 years and over, compared with 10% for the
Australia-born.
Birthplace groups with the highest sex ratios
(number of men per 100 women) were Turkey,
Iraq, Malta and India.
Total
Male
7.9
10.6
32.7
17.8
14.6
100
Female
7.5
9.7
32.5
18.3
14.6
100
Person
7.7
10.2
32.6
18.0
14.6
100
9. Note: the age groups in this table are the same as those used in the 2011 Census Expanded Community Profile for Western Australia.
Figures do not include ‘not stated’, ‘inadequately described’, or ‘people at sea’ responses.
This profile tells the story of Western Australia’s cultural
and linguistic diversity. Using 2011 Census data, it looks
at the countries of birth, ancestries, languages spoken
at home, proficiency in spoken English and religious
affiliations of Western Australians.
Almost one-third of Western Australians were born
overseas (31%).
More than half of the WA population had one or both
parents born overseas (52%).
Table 6: Proportion of Australia and overseas-born in Western Australia by age and sex, 20119
Australia-born
The majority of people were born in Australia
WA was home to the highest proportion of overseasborn residents in Australia
Western Australia had proportionally more 0–14
year olds (19%)
Australia had proportionally more people aged over
65 years (17%).
the majority of the Italy-born were aged over
55 years (82%) and more than half were aged over
65 years (58%)
the majority of the Greece-born were aged over
55 years (82%) and over 65 years (62%)
Cultural Diversity in Western Australia — A Demographic Profile
Almost two-thirds of Western Australians were
Australia-born (63%).
There were 69,664 people (3%) who identified as
being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
The overseas-born in Western Australia and Australia had a
similar age profile, however:
Some NMES-born populations are ageing more rapidly
compared with the MES and Australia-born. For example:
Western Australia in 2011: Our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity
7
Western Australians speak English as well as many
other languages
The proportion of Western Australians speaking a LOTE
at home increased to 15%.
The proportion of people reporting low levels of English
proficiency decreased to 1.7%.
Almost one-third of overseas-born Western Australians
spoke a LOTE (30%).
The majority of overseas-born LOTE speakers (84%)
reported speaking English well or very well.
Cultural Diversity in Western Australia
The 2011 Australian Census affirmed that Australia is a
diverse nation and that Western Australia (WA) is one
of the most diverse of all the states and territories.
WA’s population is also the fastest growing of all Australian
states and territories. This growth contributes to our
diversity, and is expressed through the increasing number
and range of languages, religions, cultures and countries
of origin with which Western Australians identify.
A Demographic Profile
WA is a religiously diverse State
Christianity remained the most common religion (58%),
but affiliation has declined over time.
Affiliation with secularism (25%) and non-Christian
religions such as Buddhism (2.1%), Islam (1.7%) and
Hinduism (0.9%) increased.
Hinduism and Sikhism were WA’s fastest growing
religions from 2001 to 2011.
At the 2011 Census, the total population of Australia was
21.5 million people, an increase of 8% since 2006. More
than a quarter (26%) of Australians were born overseas
and almost one in five (18%) spoke a language other than
English at home.
In comparison, the Western Australian population
was 2.2 million people, an increase of 14% since 2006.
WA had the highest proportion of its population (31%)
born overseas of all Australian states and territories.
Perth had the highest proportion of overseas-born (35%)
of all Australian capital cities.
Most people live in Perth
The greatest concentration of cultural and linguistic
diversity was in Perth.
Perth had the highest proportion of people born
overseas of all Australian capital cities.
Only 13% of overseas-born Western Australians lived in
non-metropolitan areas.
According to the 2011 Cencus, there were 69,664
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in WA.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent
3.1% of the WA population.
WA is the State of choice for skilled migrants
Between 2006 and 2011, the majority of migrants to WA
were skilled migration visa holders (71%).
WA received almost one-quarter of Australia’s
skilled migrants.
WA received smaller proportions of family visa holders
(23%) and humanitarian entrants (6%) compared with
national figures.
WA is a state of migrants. Almost one-third (31%) of Western
Australians were born overseas (compared with 27% in
2006) and more than half (56%) were Australian citizens.
More than half (52%) had at least one parent born overseas
(48% in 2006) and three-quarters (75%) identified that they
had a non-Australian ancestry (51% in 2006). In addition to
English, 15% of the population spoke a language other than
English at home (11% in 2006).
Migration and diversity have given
WA a competitive edge in a
globalised world.
WA is home to people from more than 200 countries,
speaking approximately 270 languages and dialects
(including around 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
languages). Western Australians follow more than 130
religious faiths. People from the United Kingdom, Europe,
South-East Asia and the Middle East, and more recently
from South Asia and Africa, have made Western Australia
their home, creating a harmonious environment that
respects diversity.
Migration and diversity have given WA a competitive edge
in a globalised world. Migrants create ties connecting their
new home with their old. They create unique opportunities
that have contributed to the development of our economy
and social harmony. All Western Australians benefit from
our State’s diversity.
More Western Australians are in the workforce
There has been an increase in the rate of full-time
employment for the overseas-born (30% to 34%)
since 2006.
The part-time employment rate increased for the
overseas-born (13% to 15%) while the rate for the
Australia-born remained unchanged (20%).
October 2013
8
2
Government of Western Australia
Department of Local Government and Communities
Office of Multicultural Interests
Age and gender
the proportion of people aged over 55 was much lower
for those born in the United Kingdom (45%),
New Zealand (19%) and Australia (20%)
the proportion of people aged over 65 was significantly
lower for those born in the United Kingdom (24%),
New Zealand (6%) and Australia (10%).
In 2011, Western Australia’s overseas-born population was
older compared with the Australia-born. The 2011 Census
showed that:
the majority (82%) of the overseas-born population was
aged over 25 years:
33% were aged 25–44
32% were aged 55 years and over
the age profile for NMES-born was similar to the
total overseas-born, but with a slightly larger proportion
of people aged 15–44 years (48% compared with 43%)
compared with the overseas-born, the Australia-born
population had:
a significantly larger proportion of people aged
0–24 years (41% compared with 18%)
more than half (59%) aged over 25 years.
0–14
Male
Female
Person
Overseas-born
15–24
Equal numbers of people come from English and
non-English speaking countries
The sex ratio (men per 100 women) was similar for the
State’s Australia-born (99.5) and overseas-born (101.5)
populations. However, there were:
Just over half (53%) of the overseas-born were from
main English speaking countries (MESC), mainly the
United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa.
Just under half (47%) were born in non-main English
speaking countries (NMESC).
The NMESC-born population has increased by
39% since 2006.
The MESC-born population has decreased by
21% since 2006.
The top five overseas birthplaces were the
United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa,
India and Malaysia.
The top five ancestries other than Australian were
English, Irish, Scottish, Italian and Chinese.
more women than men aged over 65 in both groups
more boys than girls aged 0–14 years in both groups
more men than women born in Turkey (134), Iraq (121.2),
Malta (119.6) and India (119.5)
more women than men born in Thailand (39),
Japan (43.5), Philippines (73.9) and Indonesia (74.1).
25–44
45–54
55–64
Total
26.5
15.8
27.3
11.8
9.7
100
25.1
15.2
27.1
11.8
9.9
100
25.8
0–14
15.5
15–24
27.2
25–44
11.8
45–54
9.8
55–64
There is great diversity in age and gender
100
The overseas-born were older compared with the
Australia-born.
A majority of the overseas population were aged
25–44 years (33%) or over 55 years (32%).
European birthplace groups are older compared with
other overseas-born groups.
Almost 60% of the Italy- and Greece-born are aged
65 years and over, compared with 10% for the
Australia-born.
Birthplace groups with the highest sex ratios
(number of men per 100 women) were Turkey,
Iraq, Malta and India.
Total
Male
7.9
10.6
32.7
17.8
14.6
100
Female
7.5
9.7
32.5
18.3
14.6
100
Person
7.7
10.2
32.6
18.0
14.6
100
9. Note: the age groups in this table are the same as those used in the 2011 Census Expanded Community Profile for Western Australia.
Figures do not include ‘not stated’, ‘inadequately described’, or ‘people at sea’ responses.
This profile tells the story of Western Australia’s cultural
and linguistic diversity. Using 2011 Census data, it looks
at the countries of birth, ancestries, languages spoken
at home, proficiency in spoken English and religious
affiliations of Western Australians.
Almost one-third of Western Australians were born
overseas (31%).
More than half of the WA population had one or both
parents born overseas (52%).
Table 6: Proportion of Australia and overseas-born in Western Australia by age and sex, 20119
Australia-born
The majority of people were born in Australia
WA was home to the highest proportion of overseasborn residents in Australia
Western Australia had proportionally more 0–14
year olds (19%)
Australia had proportionally more people aged over
65 years (17%).
the majority of the Italy-born were aged over
55 years (82%) and more than half were aged over
65 years (58%)
the majority of the Greece-born were aged over
55 years (82%) and over 65 years (62%)
Cultural Diversity in Western Australia — A Demographic Profile
Almost two-thirds of Western Australians were
Australia-born (63%).
There were 69,664 people (3%) who identified as
being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
The overseas-born in Western Australia and Australia had a
similar age profile, however:
Some NMES-born populations are ageing more rapidly
compared with the MES and Australia-born. For example:
Western Australia in 2011: Our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity
7
Western Australians speak English as well as many
other languages
The proportion of Western Australians speaking a LOTE
at home increased to 15%.
The proportion of people reporting low levels of English
proficiency decreased to 1.7%.
Almost one-third of overseas-born Western Australians
spoke a LOTE (30%).
The majority of overseas-born LOTE speakers (84%)
reported speaking English well or very well.
Cultural Diversity in Western Australia
The 2011 Australian Census affirmed that Australia is a
diverse nation and that Western Australia (WA) is one
of the most diverse of all the states and territories.
WA’s population is also the fastest growing of all Australian
states and territories. This growth contributes to our
diversity, and is expressed through the increasing number
and range of languages, religions, cultures and countries
of origin with which Western Australians identify.
A Demographic Profile
WA is a religiously diverse State
Christianity remained the most common religion (58%),
but affiliation has declined over time.
Affiliation with secularism (25%) and non-Christian
religions such as Buddhism (2.1%), Islam (1.7%) and
Hinduism (0.9%) increased.
Hinduism and Sikhism were WA’s fastest growing
religions from 2001 to 2011.
At the 2011 Census, the total population of Australia was
21.5 million people, an increase of 8% since 2006. More
than a quarter (26%) of Australians were born overseas
and almost one in five (18%) spoke a language other than
English at home.
In comparison, the Western Australian population
was 2.2 million people, an increase of 14% since 2006.
WA had the highest proportion of its population (31%)
born overseas of all Australian states and territories.
Perth had the highest proportion of overseas-born (35%)
of all Australian capital cities.
Most people live in Perth
The greatest concentration of cultural and linguistic
diversity was in Perth.
Perth had the highest proportion of people born
overseas of all Australian capital cities.
Only 13% of overseas-born Western Australians lived in
non-metropolitan areas.
According to the 2011 Census, there were 69,664
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in WA.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent
3.1% of the WA population.
WA is the State of choice for skilled migrants
Between 2006 and 2011, the majority of migrants to WA
were skilled migration visa holders (71%).
WA received almost one-quarter of Australia’s
skilled migrants.
WA received smaller proportions of family visa holders
(23%) and humanitarian entrants (6%) compared with
national figures.
WA is a state of migrants. Almost one-third (31%) of Western
Australians were born overseas (compared with 27% in
2006) and more than half (56%) were Australian citizens.
More than half (52%) had at least one parent born overseas
(48% in 2006) and three-quarters (75%) identified that they
had a non-Australian ancestry (51% in 2006). In addition to
English, 15% of the population spoke a language other than
English at home (11% in 2006).
Migration and diversity have given
WA a competitive edge in a
globalised world.
WA is home to people from more than 190 countries,
speaking approximately 270 languages and dialects
(including around 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
languages). Western Australians follow more than 130
religious faiths. People from the United Kingdom, Europe,
South-East Asia and the Middle East, and more recently
from South Asia and Africa, have made Western Australia
their home, creating a harmonious environment that
respects diversity.
Migration and diversity have given WA a competitive edge
in a globalised world. Migrants create ties connecting their
new home with their old. They create unique opportunities
that have contributed to the development of our economy
and social harmony. All Western Australians benefit from
our State’s diversity.
More Western Australians are in the workforce
There has been an increase in the rate of full-time
employment for the overseas-born (30% to 34%)
since 2006.
The part-time employment rate increased for the
overseas-born (13% to 15%) while the rate for the
Australia-born remained unchanged (20%).
October 2013
8
2
Where do overseas-born Western Australians come from?
The proportion of Western Australians born overseas
increased between 2006 (29%) and 2011 (31%). The United
Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa remained the top
three countries of overseas birth. Table 1 shows significant
increases in the number of people born in New Zealand,
South Africa, India, the Philippines and China, although as
a proportion of the total WA population, the increases were
small. The proportion of Italy-born people decreased and
Vietnam, the Netherlands and Germany moved out of the
top 10 countries of overseas birth.
From 2006 to 2011 the number of people and proportion
of the population born in non-main English speaking
countries (NMESC) increased. The proportion of Western
Australians born in main English-speaking countries
(MESC)1 (16%) and NMESC countries (15%) were similar.
Ancestry is an indicator of cultural diversity and
background that is not necessarily connected to country
of birth. It indicates the group(s) people closely identify
with, regardless of their country of birth.
2006
English
731,013
37
English
848,230
38
Australian
704,165
36
Australian
724,360
32
Irish
155,220
7.9
Irish
187,038
8.3
Scottish
153,628
7.8
Scottish
186,475
8.3
The top four ancestries for Western Australians, other than
Australian, were English, Irish, Scottish and Italian (Table 2).
Italian
102,022
5.2
Italian
111,894
5.0
Chinese
55,909
2.8
Chinese
75,935
3.4
Since 2006, the number and proportion of Western
Australians reporting:
German
53,757
2.7
German
63,020
2.8
Dutch
40,173
2.0
Dutch
45,317
2.0
Indian
22,188
1.1
Indian
40,305
1.8
New Zealander
21,386
1.1
New Zealander
27,619
1.2
Ancestry
English, Irish, Scottish, Chinese, Indian and
New Zealander ancestry has increased
Australian ancestry has decreased proportionately
but not in numbers
German and Dutch ancestry was proportionally
unchanged although the number increased.
2006
United Kingdom
Per cent (of WA
population)
Country of birth
207,664
10.6
United Kingdom
New Zealand
47,333
2.4
South Africa
22,058
Italy
Number
70,737
3.2
1.1
South Africa
35,326
1.6
20,928
1.1
India
29,915
1.3
Malaysia
19,720
1.0
Malaysia
24,970
1.1
India
15,153
0.8
Italy
19,477
0.9
Singapore
11,791
0.6
Philippines
17,234
0.8
10,495
0.5
China
16,690
0.7
10,123
0.5
Ireland
14,293
0.6
52%
9,879
0.5
Singapore
13,973
The 2011 Census showed an increase in the State’s
linguistic diversity and English proficiency among speakers
of languages other than English (LOTE).
Per cent (of WA
population)
compared with the Australia-born (5%). The number
and proportion of people speaking a non-European
language increased, compared with a decline in European
languages being spoken. German, Spanish and French
were each spoken by more than 7000 people (0.3% each).
The most common language groups other than English
spoken in Western Australia are shown in Table 4.
According to the 2011 Census, more Western Australians
(15%) spoke a language other than English at home than
in 2006 (11%). Approximately 13.5% of the WA population
lived in a household where an Aboriginal language was the
main language spoken. More than three-quarters (79%) of
overseas-born Western Australians spoke English only at
home. Of those who reported that they spoke a LOTE at
home (244,748 people), the majority (84%) spoke English
very well or well.
The majority of Western Australians (98%) reported being
proficient in English with only a very small proportion (1.7%)
reporting that they spoke English not well or not at all.
Similar proportions of people born in non-main English
speaking countries (11%) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people (13%) spoke English not well or not at all.
an increase in identification with beliefs other than
Christianity, such as:
Buddhism
Islam
Hinduism
Sikhism
Secularism.
2006
Language or Language
Group4
English
Table 3: Main religious groups in Western Australia, 2001–2011
Main religious groups
2001
Per cent
(of WA population)
Number
Christianity
0.6
2011
1,156,272
63.2
Per cent
(of WA population)
Number
81
English
Chinese languages
35,691
1.8
Chinese languages
Italian
32,893
1.7
Italian
Vietnamese
13,242
0.7
Indian and South Asian
Arabic
7,698
0.4
German
7,213
Indonesian
Per cent (of WA
population)
1,775,951
79
50,580
2.3
31,449
1.4
23,902
1.1
Vietnamese
15,574
0.7
0.4
Philippine languages
13,963
0.6
6,608
0.3
Arabic
11,955
0.5
Polish
6,102
0.3
Indonesian
9,085
0.4
Indian and South Asian
5,877
0.3
German
8,716
0.4
Philippine languages
4,344
0.4
Spanish
8,226
0.3
1.6
47,395
2.1
Islam
19,460
1.1
39,118
1.7
Hinduism
3,640
0.2
21,025
0.9
Judaism
5,057
0.3
5,853
0.3
Sikhism
1,090
0.1
4,911
0.2
39,652
2.2
20,040
0.9
No religion
361,088
19.7
571,949
25.5
Religious affiliation not stated
196,442
10.7
217,081
9.7
1,828,293
100
2,239,170
100
The proportion of the overseas-born not in the labour
force decreased for the same period from 37% to 33%, but
remained higher compared with the Australia-born (29%).
Like other Australian states and territories, Western
Australia’s population is concentrated in the metropolitan
area. The concentration of the overseas-born in Perth is
much greater compared with other Australian capital cities.
Larger regional local government areas, such as
Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany and Bunbury, are home to large
proportions of the non-metropolitan population, including
significant numbers of people born overseas (6898, 6552
and 6473 people, respectively).
Between 2006 and 2011, 71% of migrants to WA entered
through the skilled migration program. The State received
a larger proportion of skilled migrants compared with the
national average (59%). Western Australia has become
the preferred destination for skilled migrants, currently
receiving almost one-quarter (22%) of Australia’s skilled
visa holders (2011–2012).
Total5
population
For the same period, WA received smaller proportions of
family (23%) and humanitarian (6%) entrants compared with
the national figures figures (30% and 8%, respectively),
and approximately 10% of Australia’s total intake
for these visa classes.
4. ABS Australian Standard Classification of Languages, 2011 (Cat. No. 1267.0).
4
In 2011, Western Australia’s
overseas-born population lived
primarily in the Greater Perth area
(87% compared with 85% in 2006).
In 2011, Western Australia’s overseas-born population:
lived primarily in the Greater Perth area (87% compared
with 85% in 2006)
accounted for slightly more than one-third of Perth’s
population (35%)
decreased in rural and regional areas (to 13% from 15%
in 2006).
Table 5: Diversity snapshot for metropolitan and non-metropolitan Western Australia, 2011
Migration streams to Western Australia
3. The table provides a 10-year comparison in order to highlight the significance of change in affiliation.
3
1,603,043
Number
58.1
29,963
Total population
Language or Language
Group
1,300,375
Buddhism
Other religious affiliation
Per cent (of WA
population)
More Australia-born people were employed full time and
part time (42% and 20%) than overseas-born Western
Australians (40% and 18%). However, the rates for the
overseas-born increased from 2006 to 2011 (from 38%
and 17%, respectively), while rates for the Australia-born
remained unchanged (42% and 20%).
In 2011, Western Australia was one of the most culturally
diverse of all Australian states and territories, and Perth
one of the most diverse capital cities. Rural and regional
areas, however, were significantly less diverse than
metropolitan Perth.
2011
Number
Between 2006 and 2011, the proportion of employed
overseas-born Western Australians aged over 15
years increased from 46% to 52% but this remained
lower compared with the Australia-born (66%). The
unemployment rate also increased for the overseas
(1.8% to 2.7%) and Australia-born (2.5% to 3.2%).
Where do overseas-born Western Australians live?
Table 4: Top 10 languages spoken in Western Australia, 2006 and 2011
3
of Western Australians reported that one
or both of their parents were born overseas.
1. Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, the United States and Wales.
2. Excludes born in Australia, overseas visitors and country of birth not stated responses. Data relates to people usually resident in
Western Australia who were born overseas. Visitors from overseas and those who did not state their country of birth were excluded
in all tables.
Number
How diverse are religious beliefs?
Per cent (of WA
population)
New Zealand
Germany
Ancestry
a decrease in identification with Christianity
(from 63% to 58%)
10.2
Netherlands
Per cent (of WA
population)
The 2011 Census shows that religious diversity in Western
Australia had increased as more people identified with a
religion other than Christianity. Changes and trends evident
between 2001 and 2011 (Table 3) were:
230,417
Vietnam
Number
Employment
The 2011 Census also showed that more overseasborn Western Australians (30%) spoke a LOTE at home,
2011
Number
2011
More than half (52%) of Western Australians reported that
one or both of their parents were born overseas. Although
nearly two-thirds (63%) of Western Australians were
Australia-born, three-quarters (75%) reported having an
ancestry other than Australian, through their overseas-born
parents and/or grandparents.
Table 1: Top 10 countries of birth of overseas-born2, Western Australia, 2006 and 2011
Country of birth
What languages are spoken at home?
Table 2: Western Australian population by ancestry, 2006 and 2011
5
Overseas-born6
Number
Metro WA7
Rest of
WA8
5.
6.
7.
8.
One or more parents
born overseas
Per cent
Number
Per cent
LOTE at home
Number
LOTE and low English
proficiency
Per cent
Number
Per cent
1,728,865
597,922
34.6
986,125
57.0
288,200
16.7
33,070
1.9
502,594
87,891
17.5
170,049
33.8
36,114
7.2
2,360
0.5
The total population does not include the 7715 people who responded as having no usual address or being offshore.
Includes supplementary codes but does not include not stated responses.
Includes Mandurah.
ABS regions of Bunbury, WA Outback and WA Wheatbelt.
6
Where do overseas-born Western Australians come from?
The proportion of Western Australians born overseas
increased between 2006 (29%) and 2011 (31%). The United
Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa remained the top
three countries of overseas birth. Table 1 shows significant
increases in the number of people born in New Zealand,
South Africa, India, the Philippines and China, although as
a proportion of the total WA population, the increases were
small. The proportion of Italy-born people decreased and
Vietnam, the Netherlands and Germany moved out of the
top 10 countries of overseas birth.
From 2006 to 2011 the number of people and proportion
of the population born in non-main English speaking
countries (NMESC) increased. The proportion of Western
Australians born in main English-speaking countries
(MESC)1 (16%) and NMESC countries (15%) were similar.
Ancestry is an indicator of cultural diversity and
background that is not necessarily connected to country
of birth. It indicates the group(s) people closely identify
with, regardless of their country of birth.
2006
English
731,013
37
English
848,230
38
Australian
704,165
36
Australian
724,360
32
Irish
155,220
7.9
Irish
187,038
8.3
Scottish
153,628
7.8
Scottish
186,475
8.3
The top four ancestries for Western Australians, other than
Australian, were English, Irish, Scottish and Italian (Table 2).
Italian
102,022
5.2
Italian
111,894
5.0
Chinese
55,909
2.8
Chinese
75,935
3.4
Since 2006, the number and proportion of Western
Australians reporting:
German
53,757
2.7
German
63,020
2.8
Dutch
40,173
2.0
Dutch
45,317
2.0
Indian
22,188
1.1
Indian
40,305
1.8
New Zealander
21,386
1.1
New Zealander
27,619
1.2
Ancestry
English, Irish, Scottish, Chinese, Indian and
New Zealander ancestry has increased
Australian ancestry has decreased proportionately
but not in numbers
German and Dutch ancestry was proportionally
unchanged although the number increased.
2006
United Kingdom
Per cent (of WA
population)
Country of birth
207,664
10.6
United Kingdom
New Zealand
47,333
2.4
South Africa
22,058
Italy
Number
70,737
3.2
1.1
South Africa
29,915
1.6
20,928
1.1
India
29,915
1.3
Malaysia
19,720
1.0
Malaysia
24,970
1.1
India
15,153
0.8
Italy
19,477
0.9
Singapore
11,791
0.6
Philippines
17,234
0.8
10,495
0.5
China
16,690
0.7
10,123
0.5
Ireland
14,293
0.6
52%
9,879
0.5
Singapore
13,973
The 2011 Census showed an increase in the State’s
linguistic diversity and English proficiency among speakers
of languages other than English (LOTE).
Per cent (of WA
population)
compared with the Australia-born (5%). The number
and proportion of people speaking a non-European
language increased, compared with a decline in European
languages being spoken. German, Spanish and French
were each spoken by more than 7000 people (0.3% each).
The most common language groups other than English
spoken in Western Australia are shown in Table 4.
According to the 2011 Census, more Western Australians
(15%) spoke a language other than English at home than
in 2006 (11%). Approximately 13.5% of the WA population
lived in a household where an Aboriginal language was the
main language spoken. More than three-quarters (79%) of
overseas-born Western Australians spoke English only at
home. Of those who reported that they spoke a LOTE at
home (244,748 people), the majority (84%) spoke English
very well or well.
The majority of Western Australians (98%) reported being
proficient in English with only a very small proportion (1.7%)
reporting that they spoke English not well or not at all.
Similar proportions of people born in non-main English
speaking countries (11%) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people (13%) spoke English not well or not at all.
an increase in identification with beliefs other than
Christianity, such as:
Buddhism
Islam
Hinduism
Sikhism
Secularism.
2006
Language or Language
Group4
English
Table 3: Main religious groups in Western Australia, 2001–2011
Main religious groups
2001
Per cent
(of WA population)
Number
Christianity
0.6
2011
1,156,272
63.2
Per cent
(of WA population)
Number
81
English
Chinese languages
35,691
1.8
Chinese languages
Italian
32,893
1.7
Italian
Vietnamese
13,242
0.7
Indian and South Asian
Arabic
7,698
0.4
German
7,213
Indonesian
Per cent (of WA
population)
1,775,951
79
50,580
2.3
31,449
1.4
23,902
1.1
Vietnamese
15,574
0.7
0.4
Philippine languages
13,963
0.6
6,608
0.3
Arabic
11,955
0.5
Polish
6,102
0.3
Indonesian
9,085
0.4
Indian and South Asian
5,877
0.3
German
8,716
0.4
Philippine languages
4,344
0.4
Spanish
8,226
0.3
1.6
47,395
2.1
Islam
19,460
1.1
39,118
1.7
Hinduism
3,640
0.2
21,025
0.9
Judaism
5,057
0.3
5,853
0.3
Sikhism
1,090
0.1
4,911
0.2
39,652
2.2
20,040
0.9
No religion
361,088
19.7
571,949
25.5
Religious affiliation not stated
196,442
10.7
217,081
9.7
1,828,293
100
2,239,170
100
The proportion of the overseas-born not in the labour
force decreased for the same period from 37% to 33%, but
remained higher compared with the Australia-born (29%).
Like other Australian states and territories, Western
Australia’s population is concentrated in the metropolitan
area. The concentration of the overseas-born in Perth is
much greater compared with other Australian capital cities.
Larger regional local government areas, such as
Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany and Bunbury, are home to large
proportions of the non-metropolitan population, including
significant numbers of people born overseas (6898, 6552
and 6473 people, respectively).
Between 2006 and 2011, 71% of migrants to WA entered
through the skilled migration program. The State received
a larger proportion of skilled migrants compared with the
national average (59%). Western Australia has become
the preferred destination for skilled migrants, currently
receiving almost one-quarter (22%) of Australia’s skilled
visa holders (2011–2012).
Total5
population
For the same period, WA received smaller proportions of
family (23%) and humanitarian (6%) entrants compared with
the national figures figures (30% and 8%, respectively),
and approximately 10% of Australia’s total intake
for these visa classes.
4. ABS Australian Standard Classification of Languages, 2011 (Cat. No. 1267.0).
4
In 2011, Western Australia’s
overseas-born population lived
primarily in the Greater Perth area
(87% compared with 85% in 2006).
In 2011, Western Australia’s overseas-born population:
lived primarily in the Greater Perth area (87% compared
with 85% in 2006)
accounted for slightly more than one-third of Perth’s
population (35%)
decreased in rural and regional areas (to 13% from 15%
in 2006).
Table 5: Diversity snapshot for metropolitan and non-metropolitan Western Australia, 2011
Migration streams to Western Australia
3. The table provides a 10-year comparison in order to highlight the significance of change in affiliation.
3
1,603,043
Number
58.1
29,963
Total population
Language or Language
Group
1,300,375
Buddhism
Other religious affiliation
Per cent (of WA
population)
More Australia-born people were employed full time and
part time (42% and 20%) than overseas-born Western
Australians (40% and 18%). However, the rates for the
overseas-born increased from 2006 to 2011 (from 38%
and 17%, respectively), while rates for the Australia-born
remained unchanged (42% and 20%).
In 2011, Western Australia was one of the most culturally
diverse of all Australian states and territories, and Perth
one of the most diverse capital cities. Rural and regional
areas, however, were significantly less diverse than
metropolitan Perth.
2011
Number
Between 2006 and 2011, the proportion of employed
overseas-born Western Australians aged over 15
years increased from 46% to 52% but this remained
lower compared with the Australia-born (66%). The
unemployment rate also increased for the overseas
(1.8% to 2.7%) and Australia-born (2.5% to 3.2%).
Where do overseas-born Western Australians live?
Table 4: Top 10 languages spoken in Western Australia, 2006 and 2011
3
of Western Australians reported that one
or both of their parents were born overseas.
1. Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, the United States and Wales.
2. Excludes born in Australia, overseas visitors and country of birth not stated responses. Data relates to people usually resident in
Western Australia who were born overseas. Visitors from overseas and those who did not state their country of birth were excluded
in all tables.
Number
How diverse are religious beliefs?
Per cent (of WA
population)
New Zealand
Germany
Ancestry
a decrease in identification with Christianity
(from 63% to 58%)
10.2
Netherlands
Per cent (of WA
population)
The 2011 Census shows that religious diversity in Western
Australia had increased as more people identified with a
religion other than Christianity. Changes and trends evident
between 2001 and 2011 (Table 3) were:
230,417
Vietnam
Number
Employment
The 2011 Census also showed that more overseasborn Western Australians (30%) spoke a LOTE at home,
2011
Number
2011
More than half (52%) of Western Australians reported that
one or both of their parents were born overseas. Although
nearly two-thirds (63%) of Western Australians were
Australia-born, three-quarters (75%) reported having an
ancestry other than Australian, through their overseas-born
parents and/or grandparents.
Table 1: Top 10 countries of birth of overseas-born2, Western Australia, 2006 and 2011
Country of birth
What languages are spoken at home?
Table 2: Western Australian population by ancestry, 2006 and 2011
5
Overseas-born6
Number
Metro WA7
Rest of
WA8
5.
6.
7.
8.
One or more parents
born overseas
Per cent
Number
Per cent
LOTE at home
Number
LOTE and low English
proficiency
Per cent
Number
Per cent
1,728,865
597,922
34.6
986,125
57.0
288,200
16.7
33,070
1.9
502,594
87,891
17.5
170,049
33.8
36,114
7.2
2,360
0.5
The total population does not include the 7715 people who responded as having no usual address or being offshore.
Includes supplementary codes but does not include not stated responses.
Includes Mandurah.
ABS regions of Bunbury, WA Outback and WA Wheatbelt.
6
Where do overseas-born Western Australians come from?
The proportion of Western Australians born overseas
increased between 2006 (29%) and 2011 (31%). The United
Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa remained the top
three countries of overseas birth. Table 1 shows significant
increases in the number of people born in New Zealand,
South Africa, India, the Philippines and China, although as
a proportion of the total WA population, the increases were
small. The proportion of Italy-born people decreased and
Vietnam, the Netherlands and Germany moved out of the
top 10 countries of overseas birth.
From 2006 to 2011 the number of people and proportion
of the population born in non-main English speaking
countries (NMESC) increased. The proportion of Western
Australians born in main English-speaking countries
(MESC)1 (16%) and NMESC countries (15%) were similar.
Ancestry is an indicator of cultural diversity and
background that is not necessarily connected to country
of birth. It indicates the group(s) people closely identify
with, regardless of their country of birth.
2006
English
731,013
37
English
848,230
38
Australian
704,165
36
Australian
724,360
32
Irish
155,220
7.9
Irish
187,038
8.3
Scottish
153,628
7.8
Scottish
186,475
8.3
The top four ancestries for Western Australians, other than
Australian, were English, Irish, Scottish and Italian (Table 2).
Italian
102,022
5.2
Italian
111,894
5.0
Chinese
55,909
2.8
Chinese
75,935
3.4
Since 2006, the number and proportion of Western
Australians reporting:
German
53,757
2.7
German
63,020
2.8
Dutch
40,173
2.0
Dutch
45,317
2.0
Indian
22,188
1.1
Indian
40,305
1.8
New Zealander
21,386
1.1
New Zealander
27,619
1.2
Ancestry
English, Irish, Scottish, Chinese, Indian and
New Zealander ancestry has increased
Australian ancestry has decreased proportionately
but not in numbers
German and Dutch ancestry was proportionally
unchanged although the number increased.
2006
United Kingdom
New Zealand
Per cent (of WA
population)
Country of birth
207,664
10.6
United Kingdom
47,333
2.4
New Zealand
Number
230,417
10.2
70,737
3.2
South Africa
29,915
1.6
Italy
20,928
1.1
India
29,915
1.3
Malaysia
19,720
1.0
Malaysia
24,970
1.1
India
15,153
0.8
Italy
19,477
0.9
Singapore
11,791
0.6
Philippines
17,234
0.8
10,495
0.5
China
16,690
0.7
10,123
0.5
Ireland
14,293
0.6
52%
9,879
0.5
Singapore
13,973
The 2011 Census showed an increase in the State’s
linguistic diversity and English proficiency among speakers
of languages other than English (LOTE).
Per cent (of WA
population)
compared with the Australia-born (5%). The number
and proportion of people speaking a non-European
language increased, compared with a decline in European
languages being spoken. German, Spanish and French
were each spoken by more than 7000 people (0.3% each).
The most common language groups other than English
spoken in Western Australia are shown in Table 4.
According to the 2011 Census, more Western Australians
(15%) spoke a language other than English at home than
in 2006 (11%). Approximately 13.5% of the WA Aboriginal
population spoke an Australian Indigenous language
at home. More than three-quarters (79%) of overseasborn Western Australians spoke English only at home.
Of those who reported that they spoke a LOTE at home
(244,748 people), the majority (84%) spoke English very
well or well.
The majority of Western Australians (98%) reported being
proficient in English with only a very small proportion (1.7%)
reporting that they spoke English not well or not at all.
Similar proportions of people born in non-main English
speaking countries (11%) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people (13%) spoke English not well or not at all.
an increase in identification with beliefs other than
Christianity, such as:
Buddhism
Islam
Hinduism
Sikhism
Secularism.
2006
Language or Language
Group4
English
Table 3: Main religious groups in Western Australia, 2001–2011
Main religious groups
2001
Per cent
(of WA population)
Number
Christianity
0.6
2011
1,156,272
63.2
Per cent
(of WA population)
Number
Per cent (of WA
population)
1,603,043
81
English
Chinese languages
35,691
1.8
Chinese languages
Italian
32,893
1.7
Italian
Vietnamese
13,242
0.7
Indian and South Asian
Arabic
7,698
0.4
Vietnamese
15,574
0.7
German
7,213
0.4
Philippine languages
13,963
0.6
Indonesian
6,608
0.3
Arabic
11,955
0.5
Polish
6,102
0.3
Indonesian
9,085
0.4
1,775,951
79
50,580
2.3
31,449
1.4
23,902
1.1
Indian and South Asian
5,877
0.3
German
8,716
0.4
Philippine languages
4,344
0.4
Spanish
8,226
0.3
1.6
47,395
2.1
Islam
19,460
1.1
39,118
1.7
Hinduism
3,640
0.2
21,025
0.9
Judaism
5,057
0.3
5,853
0.3
Sikhism
1,090
0.1
4,911
0.2
39,652
2.2
20,040
0.9
No religion
361,088
19.7
571,949
25.5
Religious affiliation not stated
196,442
10.7
217,081
9.7
1,828,293
100
2,239,170
100
The proportion of the overseas-born not in the labour
force decreased for the same period from 37% to 33%, but
remained higher compared with the Australia-born (29%).
Like other Australian states and territories, Western
Australia’s population is concentrated in the metropolitan
area. The concentration of the overseas-born in Perth is
much greater compared with other Australian capital cities.
Larger regional local government areas, such as
Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany and Bunbury, are home to large
proportions of the non-metropolitan population, including
significant numbers of people born overseas (6898, 6552
and 6473 people, respectively).
Between 2006 and 2011, 71% of migrants to WA entered
through the skilled migration program. The State received
a larger proportion of skilled migrants compared with the
national average (59%). Western Australia has become
the preferred destination for skilled migrants, currently
receiving almost one-quarter (22%) of Australia’s skilled
visa holders (2011–2012).
Total5
population
For the same period, WA received smaller proportions of
family (23%) and humanitarian (6%) entrants compared with
the national figures figures (30% and 8%, respectively),
and approximately 10% of Australia’s total intake
for these visa classes.
4. ABS Australian Standard Classification of Languages, 2011 (Cat. No. 1267.0).
4
In 2011, Western Australia’s
overseas-born population lived
primarily in the Greater Perth area
(87% compared with 85% in 2006).
In 2011, Western Australia’s overseas-born population:
lived primarily in the Greater Perth area (87% compared
with 85% in 2006)
accounted for slightly more than one-third of Perth’s
population (35%)
decreased in rural and regional areas (to 13% from 15%
in 2006).
Table 5: Diversity snapshot for metropolitan and non-metropolitan Western Australia, 2011
Migration streams to Western Australia
3. The table provides a 10-year comparison in order to highlight the significance of change in affiliation.
3
Number
58.1
29,963
Total population
Language or Language
Group
1,300,375
Buddhism
Other religious affiliation
Per cent (of WA
population)
More Australia-born people were employed full time and
part time (42% and 20%) than overseas-born Western
Australians (40% and 18%). However, the rates for the
overseas-born increased from 2006 to 2011 (from 38%
and 17%, respectively), while rates for the Australia-born
remained unchanged (42% and 20%).
In 2011, Western Australia was one of the most culturally
diverse of all Australian states and territories, and Perth
one of the most diverse capital cities. Rural and regional
areas, however, were significantly less diverse than
metropolitan Perth.
2011
Number
Between 2006 and 2011, the proportion of employed
overseas-born Western Australians aged over 15
years increased from 46% to 52% but this remained
lower compared with the Australia-born (66%). The
unemployment rate also increased for the overseas
(1.8% to 2.7%) and Australia-born (2.5% to 3.2%).
Where do overseas-born Western Australians live?
Table 4: Top 10 languages spoken in Western Australia, 2006 and 2011
3
of Western Australians reported that one
or both of their parents were born overseas.
1. Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, the United States and Wales.
2. Excludes born in Australia, overseas visitors and country of birth not stated responses. Data relates to people usually resident in
Western Australia who were born overseas. Visitors from overseas and those who did not state their country of birth were excluded
in all tables.
Number
How diverse are religious beliefs?
Per cent (of WA
population)
1.1
Germany
Ancestry
a decrease in identification with Christianity
(from 63% to 58%)
22,058
Netherlands
Per cent (of WA
population)
The 2011 Census shows that religious diversity in Western
Australia had increased as more people identified with a
religion other than Christianity. Changes and trends evident
between 2001 and 2011 (Table 3) were:
South Africa
Vietnam
Number
Employment
The 2011 Census also showed that more overseasborn Western Australians (30%) spoke a LOTE at home,
2011
Number
2011
More than half (52%) of Western Australians reported that
one or both of their parents were born overseas. Although
nearly two-thirds (63%) of Western Australians were
Australia-born, three-quarters (75%) reported having an
ancestry other than Australian, through their overseas-born
parents and/or grandparents.
Table 1: Top 10 countries of birth of overseas-born2, Western Australia, 2006 and 2011
Country of birth
What languages are spoken at home?
Table 2: Western Australian population by ancestry, 2006 and 2011
5
Overseas-born6
Number
Metro WA7
Rest of
WA8
5.
6.
7.
8.
One or more parents
born overseas
Per cent
Number
Per cent
LOTE at home
Number
LOTE and low English
proficiency
Per cent
Number
Per cent
1,728,865
597,922
34.6
986,125
57.0
288,200
16.7
33,070
1.9
502,594
87,891
17.5
170,049
33.8
36,114
7.2
2,360
0.5
The total population does not include the 7715 people who responded as having no usual address or being offshore.
Includes supplementary codes but does not include not stated responses.
Includes Mandurah.
ABS regions of Bunbury, WA Outback and WA Wheatbelt.
6
Where do overseas-born Western Australians come from?
The proportion of Western Australians born overseas
increased between 2006 (29%) and 2011 (31%). The United
Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa remained the top
three countries of overseas birth. Table 1 shows significant
increases in the number of people born in New Zealand,
South Africa, India, the Philippines and China, although as
a proportion of the total WA population, the increases were
small. The proportion of Italy-born people decreased and
Vietnam, the Netherlands and Germany moved out of the
top 10 countries of overseas birth.
From 2006 to 2011 the number of people and proportion
of the population born in non-main English speaking
countries (NMESC) increased. The proportion of Western
Australians born in main English-speaking countries
(MESC)1 (16%) and NMESC countries (15%) were similar.
Ancestry is an indicator of cultural diversity and
background that is not necessarily connected to country
of birth. It indicates the group(s) people closely identify
with, regardless of their country of birth.
2006
English
731,013
37
English
848,230
38
Australian
704,165
36
Australian
724,360
32
Irish
155,220
7.9
Irish
187,038
8.3
Scottish
153,628
7.8
Scottish
186,475
8.3
The top four ancestries for Western Australians, other than
Australian, were English, Irish, Scottish and Italian (Table 2).
Italian
102,022
5.2
Italian
111,894
5.0
Chinese
55,909
2.8
Chinese
75,935
3.4
Since 2006, the number and proportion of Western
Australians reporting:
German
53,757
2.7
German
63,020
2.8
Dutch
40,173
2.0
Dutch
45,317
2.0
Indian
22,188
1.1
Indian
40,305
1.8
New Zealander
21,386
1.1
New Zealander
27,619
1.2
Ancestry
English, Irish, Scottish, Chinese, Indian and
New Zealander ancestry has increased
Australian ancestry has decreased proportionately
but not in numbers
German and Dutch ancestry was proportionally
unchanged although the number increased.
2006
United Kingdom
Per cent (of WA
population)
Country of birth
207,664
10.6
United Kingdom
New Zealand
47,333
2.4
South Africa
22,058
Italy
Number
70,737
3.2
1.1
South Africa
29,915
1.6
20,928
1.1
India
29,915
1.3
Malaysia
19,720
1.0
Malaysia
24,970
1.1
India
15,153
0.8
Italy
19,477
0.9
Singapore
11,791
0.6
Philippines
17,234
0.8
10,495
0.5
China
16,690
0.7
10,123
0.5
Ireland
14,293
0.6
52%
9,879
0.5
Singapore
13,973
The 2011 Census showed an increase in the State’s
linguistic diversity and English proficiency among speakers
of languages other than English (LOTE).
Per cent (of WA
population)
compared with the Australia-born (5%). The number
and proportion of people speaking a non-European
language increased, compared with a decline in European
languages being spoken. German, Spanish and French
were each spoken by more than 7000 people (0.3% each).
The most common language groups other than English
spoken in Western Australia are shown in Table 4.
According to the 2011 Census, more Western Australians
(15%) spoke a language other than English at home than
in 2006 (11%). Approximately 13.5% of the WA population
lived in a household where an Aboriginal language was the
main language spoken. More than three-quarters (79%) of
overseas-born Western Australians spoke English only at
home. Of those who reported that they spoke a LOTE at
home (244,748 people), the majority (84%) spoke English
very well or well.
The majority of Western Australians (98%) reported being
proficient in English with only a very small proportion (1.7%)
reporting that they spoke English not well or not at all.
Similar proportions of people born in non-main English
speaking countries (11%) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people (13%) spoke English not well or not at all.
an increase in identification with beliefs other than
Christianity, such as:
Buddhism
Islam
Hinduism
Sikhism
Secularism.
2006
Language or Language
Group4
English
Table 3: Main religious groups in Western Australia, 2001–2011
Main religious groups
2001
Per cent
(of WA population)
Number
Christianity
0.6
2011
1,156,272
63.2
Per cent
(of WA population)
Number
81
English
Chinese languages
35,691
1.8
Chinese languages
Italian
32,893
1.7
Italian
Vietnamese
13,242
0.7
Indian and South Asian
Arabic
7,698
0.4
German
7,213
Indonesian
Per cent (of WA
population)
1,775,951
79
50,580
2.3
31,449
1.4
23,902
1.1
Vietnamese
15,574
0.7
0.4
Philippine languages
13,963
0.6
6,608
0.3
Arabic
11,955
0.5
Polish
6,102
0.3
Indonesian
9,085
0.4
Indian and South Asian
5,877
0.3
German
8,716
0.4
Philippine languages
4,344
0.4
Spanish
8,226
0.3
1.6
47,395
2.1
Islam
19,460
1.1
39,118
1.7
Hinduism
3,640
0.2
21,025
0.9
Judaism
5,057
0.3
5,853
0.3
Sikhism
1,090
0.1
4,911
0.2
39,652
2.2
20,040
0.9
No religion
361,088
19.7
571,949
25.5
Religious affiliation not stated
196,442
10.7
217,081
9.7
1,828,293
100
2,239,170
100
The proportion of the overseas-born not in the labour
force decreased for the same period from 37% to 33%, but
remained higher compared with the Australia-born (29%).
Like other Australian states and territories, Western
Australia’s population is concentrated in the metropolitan
area. The concentration of the overseas-born in Perth is
much greater compared with other Australian capital cities.
Larger regional local government areas, such as
Kalgoorlie-Boulder, Albany and Bunbury, are home to large
proportions of the non-metropolitan population, including
significant numbers of people born overseas (6898, 6552
and 6473 people, respectively).
Between 2006 and 2011, 71% of migrants to WA entered
through the skilled migration program. The State received
a larger proportion of skilled migrants compared with the
national average (59%). Western Australia has become
the preferred destination for skilled migrants, currently
receiving almost one-quarter (22%) of Australia’s skilled
visa holders (2011–2012).
Total5
population
For the same period, WA received smaller proportions of
family (23%) and humanitarian (6%) entrants compared with
the national figures figures (30% and 8%, respectively),
and approximately 10% of Australia’s total intake
for these visa classes.
4. ABS Australian Standard Classification of Languages, 2011 (Cat. No. 1267.0).
4
In 2011, Western Australia’s
overseas-born population lived
primarily in the Greater Perth area
(87% compared with 85% in 2006).
In 2011, Western Australia’s overseas-born population:
lived primarily in the Greater Perth area (87% compared
with 85% in 2006)
accounted for slightly more than one-third of Perth’s
population (35%)
decreased in rural and regional areas (to 13% from 15%
in 2006).
Table 5: Diversity snapshot for metropolitan and non-metropolitan Western Australia, 2011
Migration streams to Western Australia
3. The table provides a 10-year comparison in order to highlight the significance of change in affiliation.
3
1,603,043
Number
58.1
29,963
Total population
Language or Language
Group
1,300,375
Buddhism
Other religious affiliation
Per cent (of WA
population)
More Australia-born people were employed full time and
part time (42% and 20%) than overseas-born Western
Australians (40% and 18%). However, the rates for the
overseas-born increased from 2006 to 2011 (from 38%
and 17%, respectively), while rates for the Australia-born
remained unchanged (42% and 20%).
In 2011, Western Australia was one of the most culturally
diverse of all Australian states and territories, and Perth
one of the most diverse capital cities. Rural and regional
areas, however, were significantly less diverse than
metropolitan Perth.
2011
Number
Between 2006 and 2011, the proportion of employed
overseas-born Western Australians aged over 15
years increased from 46% to 52% but this remained
lower compared with the Australia-born (66%). The
unemployment rate also increased for the overseas
(1.8% to 2.7%) and Australia-born (2.5% to 3.2%).
Where do overseas-born Western Australians live?
Table 4: Top 10 languages spoken in Western Australia, 2006 and 2011
3
of Western Australians reported that one
or both of their parents were born overseas.
1. Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, the United States and Wales.
2. Excludes born in Australia, overseas visitors and country of birth not stated responses. Data relates to people usually resident in
Western Australia who were born overseas. Visitors from overseas and those who did not state their country of birth were excluded
in all tables.
Number
How diverse are religious beliefs?
Per cent (of WA
population)
New Zealand
Germany
Ancestry
a decrease in identification with Christianity
(from 63% to 58%)
10.2
Netherlands
Per cent (of WA
population)
The 2011 Census shows that religious diversity in Western
Australia had increased as more people identified with a
religion other than Christianity. Changes and trends evident
between 2001 and 2011 (Table 3) were:
230,417
Vietnam
Number
Employment
The 2011 Census also showed that more overseasborn Western Australians (30%) spoke a LOTE at home,
2011
Number
2011
More than half (52%) of Western Australians reported that
one or both of their parents were born overseas. Although
nearly two-thirds (63%) of Western Australians were
Australia-born, three-quarters (75%) reported having an
ancestry other than Australian, through their overseas-born
parents and/or grandparents.
Table 1: Top 10 countries of birth of overseas-born2, Western Australia, 2006 and 2011
Country of birth
What languages are spoken at home?
Table 2: Western Australian population by ancestry, 2006 and 2011
5
Overseas-born6
Number
Metro WA7
Rest of
WA8
5.
6.
7.
8.
One or more parents
born overseas
Per cent
Number
Per cent
LOTE at home
Number
LOTE and low English
proficiency
Per cent
Number
Per cent
1,728,865
597,922
34.6
986,125
57.0
288,200
16.7
33,070
1.9
502,594
87,891
17.5
170,049
33.8
36,114
7.2
2,360
0.5
The total population does not include the 7715 people who responded as having no usual address or being offshore.
Includes supplementary codes but does not include not stated responses.
Includes Mandurah.
ABS regions of Bunbury, WA Outback and WA Wheatbelt.
6
Government of Western Australia
Department of Local Government and Communities
Office of Multicultural Interests
Age and gender
the proportion of people aged over 55 was much lower
for those born in the United Kingdom (45%),
New Zealand (19%) and Australia (20%)
the proportion of people aged over 65 was significantly
lower for those born in the United Kingdom (24%),
New Zealand (6%) and Australia (10%).
In 2011, Western Australia’s overseas-born population was
older compared with the Australia-born. The 2011 Census
showed that:
the majority (82%) of the overseas-born population was
aged over 25 years:
33% were aged 25–44
32% were aged 55 years and over
the age profile for NMES-born was similar to the
total overseas-born, but with a slightly larger proportion
of people aged 15–44 years (48% compared with 43%)
compared with the overseas-born, the Australia-born
population had:
a significantly larger proportion of people aged
0–24 years (41% compared with 18%)
more than half (59%) aged over 25 years.
0–14
Male
Female
Person
Overseas-born
15–24
Equal numbers of people come from English and
non-English speaking countries
The sex ratio (men per 100 women) was similar for the
State’s Australia-born (99.5) and overseas-born (101.5)
populations. However, there were:
Just over half (53%) of the overseas-born were from
main English speaking countries (MESC), mainly the
United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa.
Just under half (47%) were born in non-main English
speaking countries (NMESC).
The NMESC-born population has increased by
39% since 2006.
The MESC-born population has decreased by
21% since 2006.
The top five overseas birthplaces were the
United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa,
India and Malaysia.
The top five ancestries other than Australian were
English, Irish, Scottish, Italian and Chinese.
more women than men aged over 65 in both groups
more boys than girls aged 0–14 years in both groups
more men than women born in Turkey (134), Iraq (121.2),
Malta (119.6) and India (119.5)
more women than men born in Thailand (39),
Japan (43.5), Philippines (73.9) and Indonesia (74.1).
25–44
45–54
55–64
Total
26.5
15.8
27.3
11.8
9.7
100
25.1
15.2
27.1
11.8
9.9
100
25.8
0–14
15.5
15–24
27.2
25–44
11.8
45–54
9.8
55–64
There is great diversity in age and gender
100
The overseas-born were older compared with the
Australia-born.
A majority of the overseas population were aged
25–44 years (33%) or over 55 years (32%).
European birthplace groups are older compared with
other overseas-born groups.
Almost 60% of the Italy- and Greece-born are aged
65 years and over, compared with 10% for the
Australia-born.
Birthplace groups with the highest sex ratios
(number of men per 100 women) were Turkey,
Iraq, Malta and India.
Total
Male
7.9
10.6
32.7
17.8
14.6
100
Female
7.5
9.7
32.5
18.3
14.6
100
Person
7.7
10.2
32.6
18.0
14.6
100
9. Note: the age groups in this table are the same as those used in the 2011 Census Expanded Community Profile for Western Australia.
Figures do not include ‘not stated’, ‘inadequately described’, or ‘people at sea’ responses.
This profile tells the story of Western Australia’s cultural
and linguistic diversity. Using 2011 Census data, it looks
at the countries of birth, ancestries, languages spoken
at home, proficiency in spoken English and religious
affiliations of Western Australians.
Almost one-third of Western Australians were born
overseas (31%).
More than half of the WA population had one or both
parents born overseas (52%).
Table 6: Proportion of Australia and overseas-born in Western Australia by age and sex, 20119
Australia-born
The majority of people were born in Australia
WA was home to the highest proportion of overseasborn residents in Australia
Western Australia had proportionally more 0–14
year olds (19%)
Australia had proportionally more people aged over
65 years (17%).
the majority of the Italy-born were aged over
55 years (82%) and more than half were aged over
65 years (58%)
the majority of the Greece-born were aged over
55 years (82%) and over 65 years (62%)
Cultural Diversity in Western Australia — A Demographic Profile
Almost two-thirds of Western Australians were
Australia-born (63%).
There were 69,664 people (3%) who identified as
being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
The overseas-born in Western Australia and Australia had a
similar age profile, however:
Some NMES-born populations are ageing more rapidly
compared with the MES and Australia-born. For example:
Western Australia in 2011: Our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity
7
Western Australians speak English as well as many
other languages
The proportion of Western Australians speaking a LOTE
at home increased to 15%.
The proportion of people reporting low levels of English
proficiency decreased to 1.7%.
Almost one-third of overseas-born Western Australians
spoke a LOTE (30%).
The majority of overseas-born LOTE speakers (84%)
reported speaking English well or very well.
Cultural Diversity in Western Australia
The 2011 Australian Census affirmed that Australia is a
diverse nation and that Western Australia (WA) is one
of the most diverse of all the states and territories.
WA’s population is also the fastest growing of all Australian
states and territories. This growth contributes to our
diversity, and is expressed through the increasing number
and range of languages, religions, cultures and countries
of origin with which Western Australians identify.
A Demographic Profile
WA is a religiously diverse State
Christianity remained the most common religion (58%),
but affiliation has declined over time.
Affiliation with secularism (25%) and non-Christian
religions such as Buddhism (2.1%), Islam (1.7%) and
Hinduism (0.9%) increased.
Hinduism and Sikhism were WA’s fastest growing
religions from 2001 to 2011.
At the 2011 Census, the total population of Australia was
21.5 million people, an increase of 8% since 2006. More
than a quarter (26%) of Australians were born overseas
and almost one in five (18%) spoke a language other than
English at home.
In comparison, the Western Australian population
was 2.2 million people, an increase of 14% since 2006.
WA had the highest proportion of its population (31%)
born overseas of all Australian states and territories.
Perth had the highest proportion of overseas-born (35%)
of all Australian capital cities.
Most people live in Perth
The greatest concentration of cultural and linguistic
diversity was in Perth.
Perth had the highest proportion of people born
overseas of all Australian capital cities.
Only 13% of overseas-born Western Australians lived in
non-metropolitan areas.
According to the 2011 Cencus, there were 69,664
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in WA.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent
3.1% of the WA population.
WA is the State of choice for skilled migrants
Between 2006 and 2011, the majority of migrants to WA
were skilled migration visa holders (71%).
WA received almost one-quarter of Australia’s
skilled migrants.
WA received smaller proportions of family visa holders
(23%) and humanitarian entrants (6%) compared with
national figures.
WA is a state of migrants. Almost one-third (31%) of Western
Australians were born overseas (compared with 27% in
2006) and more than half (56%) were Australian citizens.
More than half (52%) had at least one parent born overseas
(48% in 2006) and three-quarters (75%) identified that they
had a non-Australian ancestry (51% in 2006). In addition to
English, 15% of the population spoke a language other than
English at home (11% in 2006).
Migration and diversity have given
WA a competitive edge in a
globalised world.
WA is home to people from more than 200 countries,
speaking approximately 270 languages and dialects
(including around 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
languages). Western Australians follow more than 130
religious faiths. People from the United Kingdom, Europe,
South-East Asia and the Middle East, and more recently
from South Asia and Africa, have made Western Australia
their home, creating a harmonious environment that
respects diversity.
Migration and diversity have given WA a competitive edge
in a globalised world. Migrants create ties connecting their
new home with their old. They create unique opportunities
that have contributed to the development of our economy
and social harmony. All Western Australians benefit from
our State’s diversity.
More Western Australians are in the workforce
There has been an increase in the rate of full-time
employment for the overseas-born (30% to 34%)
since 2006.
The part-time employment rate increased for the
overseas-born (13% to 15%) while the rate for the
Australia-born remained unchanged (20%).
October 2013
8
2
Government of Western Australia
Department of Local Government and Communities
Office of Multicultural Interests
Age and gender
the proportion of people aged over 55 was much lower
for those born in the United Kingdom (45%),
New Zealand (19%) and Australia (20%)
the proportion of people aged over 65 was significantly
lower for those born in the United Kingdom (24%),
New Zealand (6%) and Australia (10%).
In 2011, Western Australia’s overseas-born population was
older compared with the Australia-born. The 2011 Census
showed that:
the majority (82%) of the overseas-born population was
aged over 25 years:
33% were aged 25–44
32% were aged 55 years and over
the age profile for NMES-born was similar to the
total overseas-born, but with a slightly larger proportion
of people aged 15–44 years (48% compared with 43%)
compared with the overseas-born, the Australia-born
population had:
a significantly larger proportion of people aged
0–24 years (41% compared with 18%)
more than half (59%) aged over 25 years.
0–14
Male
Female
Person
Overseas-born
15–24
Equal numbers of people come from English and
non-English speaking countries
The sex ratio (men per 100 women) was similar for the
State’s Australia-born (99.5) and overseas-born (101.5)
populations. However, there were:
Just over half (53%) of the overseas-born were from
main English speaking countries (MESC), mainly the
United Kingdom, New Zealand and South Africa.
Just under half (47%) were born in non-main English
speaking countries (NMESC).
The NMESC-born population has increased by
39% since 2006.
The MESC-born population has decreased by
21% since 2006.
The top five overseas birthplaces were the
United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa,
India and Malaysia.
The top five ancestries other than Australian were
English, Irish, Scottish, Italian and Chinese.
more women than men aged over 65 in both groups
more boys than girls aged 0–14 years in both groups
more men than women born in Turkey (134), Iraq (121.2),
Malta (119.6) and India (119.5)
more women than men born in Thailand (39),
Japan (43.5), Philippines (73.9) and Indonesia (74.1).
25–44
45–54
55–64
Total
26.5
15.8
27.3
11.8
9.7
100
25.1
15.2
27.1
11.8
9.9
100
25.8
0–14
15.5
15–24
27.2
25–44
11.8
45–54
9.8
55–64
There is great diversity in age and gender
100
The overseas-born were older compared with the
Australia-born.
A majority of the overseas population were aged
25–44 years (33%) or over 55 years (32%).
European birthplace groups are older compared with
other overseas-born groups.
Almost 60% of the Italy- and Greece-born are aged
65 years and over, compared with 10% for the
Australia-born.
Birthplace groups with the highest sex ratios
(number of men per 100 women) were Turkey,
Iraq, Malta and India.
Total
Male
7.9
10.6
32.7
17.8
14.6
100
Female
7.5
9.7
32.5
18.3
14.6
100
Person
7.7
10.2
32.6
18.0
14.6
100
9. Note: the age groups in this table are the same as those used in the 2011 Census Expanded Community Profile for Western Australia.
Figures do not include ‘not stated’, ‘inadequately described’, or ‘people at sea’ responses.
This profile tells the story of Western Australia’s cultural
and linguistic diversity. Using 2011 Census data, it looks
at the countries of birth, ancestries, languages spoken
at home, proficiency in spoken English and religious
affiliations of Western Australians.
Almost one-third of Western Australians were born
overseas (31%).
More than half of the WA population had one or both
parents born overseas (52%).
Table 6: Proportion of Australia and overseas-born in Western Australia by age and sex, 20119
Australia-born
The majority of people were born in Australia
WA was home to the highest proportion of overseasborn residents in Australia
Western Australia had proportionally more 0–14
year olds (19%)
Australia had proportionally more people aged over
65 years (17%).
the majority of the Italy-born were aged over
55 years (82%) and more than half were aged over
65 years (58%)
the majority of the Greece-born were aged over
55 years (82%) and over 65 years (62%)
Cultural Diversity in Western Australia — A Demographic Profile
Almost two-thirds of Western Australians were
Australia-born (63%).
There were 69,664 people (3%) who identified as
being Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
The overseas-born in Western Australia and Australia had a
similar age profile, however:
Some NMES-born populations are ageing more rapidly
compared with the MES and Australia-born. For example:
Western Australia in 2011: Our cultural, linguistic and religious diversity
7
Western Australians speak English as well as many
other languages
The proportion of Western Australians speaking a LOTE
at home increased to 15%.
The proportion of people reporting low levels of English
proficiency decreased to 1.7%.
Almost one-third of overseas-born Western Australians
spoke a LOTE (30%).
The majority of overseas-born LOTE speakers (84%)
reported speaking English well or very well.
Cultural Diversity in Western Australia
The 2011 Australian Census affirmed that Australia is a
diverse nation and that Western Australia (WA) is one
of the most diverse of all the states and territories.
WA’s population is also the fastest growing of all Australian
states and territories. This growth contributes to our
diversity, and is expressed through the increasing number
and range of languages, religions, cultures and countries
of origin with which Western Australians identify.
A Demographic Profile
WA is a religiously diverse State
Christianity remained the most common religion (58%),
but affiliation has declined over time.
Affiliation with secularism (25%) and non-Christian
religions such as Buddhism (2.1%), Islam (1.7%) and
Hinduism (0.9%) increased.
Hinduism and Sikhism were WA’s fastest growing
religions from 2001 to 2011.
At the 2011 Census, the total population of Australia was
21.5 million people, an increase of 8% since 2006. More
than a quarter (26%) of Australians were born overseas
and almost one in five (18%) spoke a language other than
English at home.
In comparison, the Western Australian population
was 2.2 million people, an increase of 14% since 2006.
WA had the highest proportion of its population (31%)
born overseas of all Australian states and territories.
Perth had the highest proportion of overseas-born (35%)
of all Australian capital cities.
Most people live in Perth
The greatest concentration of cultural and linguistic
diversity was in Perth.
Perth had the highest proportion of people born
overseas of all Australian capital cities.
Only 13% of overseas-born Western Australians lived in
non-metropolitan areas.
According to the 2011 Cencus, there were 69,664
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in WA.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people represent
3.1% of the WA population.
WA is the State of choice for skilled migrants
Between 2006 and 2011, the majority of migrants to WA
were skilled migration visa holders (71%).
WA received almost one-quarter of Australia’s
skilled migrants.
WA received smaller proportions of family visa holders
(23%) and humanitarian entrants (6%) compared with
national figures.
WA is a state of migrants. Almost one-third (31%) of Western
Australians were born overseas (compared with 27% in
2006) and more than half (56%) were Australian citizens.
More than half (52%) had at least one parent born overseas
(48% in 2006) and three-quarters (75%) identified that they
had a non-Australian ancestry (51% in 2006). In addition to
English, 15% of the population spoke a language other than
English at home (11% in 2006).
Migration and diversity have given
WA a competitive edge in a
globalised world.
WA is home to people from more than 200 countries,
speaking approximately 270 languages and dialects
(including around 50 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
languages). Western Australians follow more than 130
religious faiths. People from the United Kingdom, Europe,
South-East Asia and the Middle East, and more recently
from South Asia and Africa, have made Western Australia
their home, creating a harmonious environment that
respects diversity.
Migration and diversity have given WA a competitive edge
in a globalised world. Migrants create ties connecting their
new home with their old. They create unique opportunities
that have contributed to the development of our economy
and social harmony. All Western Australians benefit from
our State’s diversity.
More Western Australians are in the workforce
There has been an increase in the rate of full-time
employment for the overseas-born (30% to 34%)
since 2006.
The part-time employment rate increased for the
overseas-born (13% to 15%) while the rate for the
Australia-born remained unchanged (20%).
October 2013
8
2