Sri Lankan Australians

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Sri Lankan Australians are people in Australia who come from Sri Lanka or have Sri Lankan ancestry. They include Sri Lankan-born residents and those who identify as Sri Lankan by descent.

Population
- 172,800Sri Lankan-born Australians in 2024 (about 0.2% of the Australian population)
- 131,905 Australians who identified as Sri Lankan ancestry in 2021
- They are one of the largest overseas Sri Lankan communities, and the largest in Oceania

Where they live in Australia
- Victoria has the largest community (about half of all Sri Lankan Australians), with Melbourne home to most residents.
- Other states and territories with sizeable communities: New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory.
- Major population numbers: Victoria ~82,493; New South Wales ~31,073; Queensland ~15,129; Western Australia ~11,582; South Australia ~6,301; ACT ~3,826; Tasmania ~1,478; Northern Territory ~1,384.
- In Melbourne, many Sri Lankan Australians live in suburbs such as Dandenong, Clyde North, Glen Waverley, Endeavour Hills, and Craigieburn.

Languages and religion
- Languages spoken: Sinhala, Tamil, and Australian English.
- Religions practiced: Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, and Islam. Among Sri Lankan-born Australians, Buddhism is the largest group, with Hindus, Catholics, Anglicans and others also present.

History in Australia (a short timeline)
- 1816: First Sri Lankan-born individuals arrive (including a Sri Lankan Malay and his wife).
- 1870s–1900s: Early Sinhalese migrants work in agriculture and other sectors; small communities form.
- White Australia policy: Immigration restrictions limit arrivals for several decades.
- Post-World War II: Migration resumes, including Burghers (Sri Lankans with European ancestry) and others.
- 1960s–1980s: Larger waves of Sinhalese, Tamils and Moors arrive, often seeking safety during Sri Lanka’s unrest. Colombo Plan also brought Sri Lankan students to Australia.
- Since the 1980s: Sri Lankan communities grow, establish temples, cultural groups, and mutual support networks.

Culture and community life
- Festivals: Sri Lankan Independence Day (February 4) and Sri Lankan New Year (April 14) are commonly celebrated.
- Community and media: Many Sri Lankan Australian restaurants, cultural events, temples, schools, newspapers, radio and TV programs serve the community.
- Temples and places of worship: Various Theravada Buddhist temples in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia; Hindu temples for Tamil communities in Melbourne and Sydney; other temples exist in several cities.
- Community organisations: Numerous groups promote Sri Lankan culture, language and traditions and help new migrants settle in.

Note
- Sri Lankan Australians include Sinhalese, Tamil, Moor, Burgher, Malay and Chinese origins, reflecting the country’s diverse heritage. They maintain strong cultural ties and contribute to Australia’s multicultural society.