Australian Language Profile
According to the most recent nationwide data, 49% of Australians were born overseas (first generation Australians) or one or both parents born overseas (2nd generation Australians) (Australian Bureau of Statistics [ABS], 2017). England and New Zealand were the most common countries of birth, followed by China (8.3%) and India (7.4%).
The 2016 census also found that more than 300 distinct languages are spoken in Australian homes. Over one-fifth of Australians (21%) speak a language other than English at home.
After English, the most prevalent languages spoken at home are Mandarin, Arabic, Cantonese and Vietnamese (ABS, 2017).
In terms of Australian Indigenous languages, the Census data show that 150 languages are spoken at home. One in ten Australians speak an Australian Indigenous language at home (ABS, 2017).
The most commonly-spoken Australian Indigenous languages are:
- Kriol: 1.1%
- Yumplatok (Torres Strait Creole): 0.9%
- Djambarrpuyngu: 0.7%
- Pitjantjatjara: 0.5%
- Walpiri: 0.4%.