Population & Migration
The State of Victoria has been enriched by the presence of people from all over the world. At the 2011 Census 26.2% of Victoria's population were born overseas and 46.8% of Victorians were either born overseas, or have a parent who was born overseas. Victorians come from more than 200 countries, speak more than 230 languages and dialects and follow more than 130 religious faiths. Most of the overseas-born Victorians came to Australia as migrants hoping to find a better life for themselves and their children. A significant number came to Australia as refugees – first Europeans displaced by the Second World War, then refugees from the war in Indo-China and more recently refugees from conflicts in the republics of the former Yugoslavia, the Horn of Africa, the Middle East and Afghanistan.
find out more about Victoria's multicultural history >2011 Census data now available
The 16th national Census of Population and Housing took place on 9 August 2011. On 21 June 2012, the first data from the 2011 Census was released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). The ABS thank the community, state and local government for their support of the Census and now encourages the community to use census data to learn more about the community characteristics and diversity. The ABS website (www.abs.gov.au) hosts a number of free census products such as Quickstats and community profiles. A new product, TableBuilder Basic is designed for clients who have some experience using Census data and is free of charge although registration will be required. There is also a charged product: TableBuilder Pro which allows for detailed tables to be created from the full Census output record file. The ABS is also able to conduct some information sessions in regard to Census output and the associated products as well as discuss our early plans for the 2016 Census. For More information and to arrange one of these sessions please contact : michael.brunton@abs.gov.au or laura.wood@abs.gov.au
2011 Census: A snapshot of our diversity
In the 100 years since the first national Census, the multicultural nature of Australian society has developed and grown significantly – especially here in Victoria. Our population is among the fastest-growing and most diverse in Australia.
more>Migration to Victoria and Australia
Migrants and refugees have made an enormous contribution to the Victorian community in areas such as business and politics, education and research and sports and the arts.
more >Census Reporting Tools
The VMC has produced a number of useful resources that expolre Victoria's population diversity. These include 75 community fact sheets, 75 detailed Community Profiles, a publication about diversity broken down by local government area and data cubes from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
more >Diversity in Local Councils
This publication by the Victorian Multicultural Commission provides data on birthplace, language, ancestry, and religion by Local Government Areas. It is an invaluable guide for local government planners, community organisations, researchers and those in the broader community concerned with designing and delivering services that are accessible and equitable.
more >DIAC Publication Project
The People of Victoria: Statistics from the 2006 Census is a major compilation of statistics on birthplace, language, religion and ancestry from the 2006 Census.
more >