The 2011 Census in Australia

ejazr

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The 2011 Census and the Asian Century

Graeme Dobell cites recent census figures about languages spoken in Australian homes to argue that Australia has come a long way in its embrace of Asia. The political fretting about whether Australia is ready for the Asian Century risks overlooking this simple fact, as a closer look at the 2011 Census shows. In fact, the results reveal nothing less than a transformation in Australia's demographic composition.

While Australia has long been able to consider itself a multicultural nation, the importance of our migrant communities is becoming more pronounced, with almost a quarter of Australia's population born overseas, and 43.1% with at least one overseas-born parent.

Perhaps more revealing is the data on the geographic origins of these communities. While the proportion of Australia's overseas-born population is up 3% since the last census in 2006, our Asian-born population has grown even faster. Asian-born Australians now comprise one-third of Australia's overseas born population, up from 24% in 2006. Mandarin is now the language most commonly spoken at home after English.

Five of Australia's top ten overseas countries of birth are now located in Asia, with China and India coming in third and fourth after the UK and New Zealand respectively. The growth of migrant communities is particularly evident in our cities: 66% of Australians live in capital cities compared with 82% of the overseas born population, and over a third of the residents of Sydney, Melbourne and Perth were born overseas.

Of particular significance is the growth and consolidation of the Indian community in Australia. The number of Australians born in India more than doubled since 2006, and Punjabi became Australia's fastest growing language with an even more impressive 207.5% increase. Hinduism has experienced the fastest growth of any religion, with adherents almost doubling since 2006.

We can expect that these migrant communities will find their own unique political voice. Their expertise, language skills and people-to-people contacts will also be vital in securing Australia's interests in the Asian Century, allowing the pursuit of business and trade ventures with Asia's emerging giants.

Australia's relations with its regional neighbours must come to reflect the significance of our domestic Asian communities. This most recent census data makes a clear case for a renewed focus on Australia-India bilateral ties. We must be careful not to neglect our relations with India in favour of expending disproportionate diplomatic and political capital on China.

The increasing influence of Australia's migrant communities will mean that a place for Australia in the Asian Century is unavoidable. What we now need is a clear strategy to fully realise the opportunities and advantages presented to us by our demography.
 

ejazr

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The official media release

Australia revealed as 2011 Census data is released

The changing face of Australia was revealed today as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released the first results of the 2011 Census of Population and Housing.

2011 Census Executive Director, Andrew Henderson, said the 2011 Census was extremely successful, and release of the first data is a big day for Australia.

"Australia is a world leader in Census taking, and the 2011 results show that 98.3 per cent of the population participated in the Census," Mr Henderson said.

The Census counted 21,727,158 people in Australia on Census night. There were 219,440 overseas visitors included in the count. Australia's resident count was 21,507,719, an 8.3 per cent increase from 19,855,287 in 2006.

The local government area of East Pilbara in Western Australia experienced the largest proportionate growth of 82.6 per cent from 6,546 in 2006 to 11,950 in 2011. The local government area with the biggest increase in the number of people was Brisbane up from 956,130 in 2006 to 1,041,842 in 2011, an increase of 85,712 or nine per cent.

Of the states and territories, Western Australia experienced the biggest proportionate increase in its population at 14.3 per cent, from 1,959,086 in 2006 to 2,239,169 in 2011. Tasmania had the lowest proportionate increase at four per cent from 476,482 in 2006 to 495,352 in 2011.

The state with biggest increase in the number of people was Queensland up from 3,904,530 in 2006 to 4,332,739 in 2011, an increase of 428,209 or 11 per cent.

Housing in Australia has also seen some significant changes over the past five years with median weekly household rents up to $285 from $191 in 2006, an increase of 49.2 per cent. Median monthly household mortgage repayments also increased from $1,300 in 2006 to $1,800 in 2011, an increase of 38.5 per cent.

"It's exciting to see Australia hit the 21 million mark for the first time in a Census," Mr Henderson said.

"The Census is the only statistical collection that can provide a national snapshot of Australia, and this data will help shape the future of our country over the next five years.

"Census data is used to help determine the allocation of around $45 billion worth of GST funding to the states and territories, while all levels of Government use Census data to plan for things such as hospitals and health services, schools, public transport and infrastructure," Mr Henderson added.

Mr Henderson encouraged everyone to make use of Australia's richest source of statistical information.

"Census data is available free online and can be used for a wide range of purposes. Our range of new, easy-to-use tools, including QuickStats, makes searching Census data quick and easy."
 

Ray

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What happened to the Keep Australia White policy?

They are asking for trouble by allowing themselves being swamped as they swamped the Aborigines long back!
 

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