post 1945

• Percentage of Christians in 2021

  43.9%
• Percentage of Non-Religion in 2021

  38.9%
• Percentage of Muslims in 2021

  3.2%
• Percentage of Hindus in 2021

  2.7%
• Percentage of Christians in 1947

  88%
• Percentage of Catholics in 1947

  21% --> rose to 26% in 1966
• Percentage of Catholics in 2021 


  20%
• Percentage of no religion in 2016

  30.1%
• Catholicism overtakes Anglicanism


  1986 (Anglicans - 23.9% Catholics - 26.1%)
• Percentage of Judaism in 2021 


  0.4%
• Question of religion is not compulsory, therefore does not provide a full accurate picture
• Option of NO RELIGION introduced

  1971
• In 2021, there was a DECLINE in the percentage of Australians identifying as Christian

  
• Anglican affiliation DECREASED the MOST (13.3% → 9.8%)
• There was an INCREASE in those identifying with religious traditions OTHER than CHRISTIANITY (Islam, Hinduism, Sikhism)
• There was an INCREASE in those stating they have ‘NO RELIGION’ (In 2016 the option was moved to the top of the form)
• FIRST NATIONS PEOPLES followed their OWN RELIGION involving beliefs in spirits behind the forces of nature and the influence of ancestral spirit beings
• Traditional churches brought to Australia by European settlers

  • CHURCH OF ENGLAND (now Anglican)
  • METHODIST
  • CATHOLIC
  • PRESBYTERIAN
  • CONGREGATIONALIST
  • LUTHERAN
  • BAPTIST
• Since 1996, CATHOLICISM has REMAINED 26% until 2016 when it DROPPED to 23% and in 2021 where it DROPPED AGAIN to 20%
• In 2021, 3.2% identified as ISLAM
• In 2021, 2.7% identified as HINDUISM
• In 2021, 2.4% identified as BUDDHISM
• In 2021, 0.4% identified as JUDAISM
• In the 1947 census, 88% of the population identified as CHRISTIAN
• IMMIGRATION RESTRICTION ACT 1901 (popularly termed White Australia Policy) allowed ONLY migrants who fit in with Australia's BRITISH-EUROPEAN culture
• IMMIGRANTS seeking BETTER JOB OPPORTUNITIES are MAJORITY HINDU AND SIKH