Multicultural Profile
This profile is a snapshot of Banyule's demographic characteristics. It is part of a suite of profiles produced to help understand the
characteristics of the municipality, assist in planning services and facilities to better meet needs, provide consistent evidence-based data and
to anticipate future population changes.
CALD
焙
‫ش‬
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Multiculturalism has become an important theme in Banyule as the
city embraces residents from a range of culturally and linguistically
diverse (CALD) backgrounds that enrich and contribute to the
municipality's social, cultural and economic growth.
The total estimated resident population in Banyule for 2015 is
126,232. The CALD population is presented in data related to country
of birth, ancestry, immigration, main language spoken at home and
religion.
Location of residents born in a non-English speaking country
(darker shading indicates higher concentration of residents for larger map see page 8)
Country of
birth

A lower proportion of Banyule residents are born overseas compared
to residents in Greater Melbourne (see chart), however the proportion
has increased.
The municipality is home to people from over 140 countries. The
number of overseas born residents is 26,137, of which 19,246 (16.6%
of Banyule's total population) are from non-English speaking
1
countries (up from 14% in 2006).
Residents born overseas
(as a % of total population)
31%
The number of residents from European countries is slowly decreasing
2
while the number from Asian countries and the Indian sub-continent
is increasing.
The main non-English speaking countries of birth, ranked in order of
largest population, are: Italy, China, India and Greece.
Between 2006 to 2011 the main growth from non-English speaking
countries occurred from: China (+951 persons), India (+904), Malaysia
(+182) and Sri Lanka (+150).
22%
Banyule
Greater
Melb
Of the 79 Local Government Areas in Victoria, Banyule has the largest
population of residents born in Somalia (493 persons).
Language

Almost one fifth of Banyule's population (23,232 persons or 19.6%),
speak a language other than English at home. This is a lower
proportion compared to Greater Melbourne (see chart).
Residents that speak a language
other than English at home
29%
The main languages spoken are: Italian (4,072 persons), Greek
(2,525), Mandarin (2,482), Cantonese (1,212) and Arabic (1,155).
Between 2006-2011 the languages that experienced the most growth
in the number of persons were: Mandarin (+921), Somali (+266), Hindi
(+225) and Punjabi (+211).
Community and Social Planning - Multicultural Profile
September 2016
20%
Banyule
Greater
Melb
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Multicultural Profile
English
proficiency
In Banyule 3,152 people reported difficulty speaking
English. This represents 2.7% of Banyule's population
and is relatively low compared to Greater Melbourne
(5%).
The majority of residents with low English proficiency
spoke Mandarin at home (see chart), however this
varied across the service age groups, with most older
residents speaking Italian - see table below.
Number of residents indicating
difficulty speaking English by
language spoken at home (top 10
languages shown)
Mandarin
554
Italian
469
Greek
300
Cantonese
Arabic
The main language spoken at home of residents with low
English proficiency by service age group
0 to 4
5 to 11
12 to 17
18 to 24
25 to 34
Immigration



Mandarin
Somali
Mandarin
Mandarin
Mandarin
35 to 49
50 to 59
60 to 69
70 to 84
84 +
Mandarin
Mandarin
Greek
Italian
Italian
175
Somali
148
Vietnamese
125
Macedonian
The number of migrant settlers in Banyule in the two years from 1 Jan
2014 to 31 Dec 2015 was 1,784.
During this period, the main countries of birth by migration stream
were:
◦ Skilled workers - India (288), China (163), UK (59)
◦ Family - China (128), India (72), UK (50)
◦ Humanitarian - Iran (11), Burma (9), Somalia (6).
233
105
Croatian
77
Korean
64
Migrant settlers by
migration stream
(1 Jan 2014 to 31 Dec 2015)
58%
39%
3%
Source: Department of Immigration - Settlement Reporting Facility
Ancestry
The top five ancestries in Banyule are:
◦ Australian (37,605 people or 31.8%)
◦ English (36,562 people or 30.9%)
◦ Irish (14,232 people or 12.0%)
◦ Italian (11,536 people or 9.8%)
◦ Scottish (10,309 people or 8.7%)
In combination these five ancestries make up 93% of all responses.
Main non-English
ancestries (%)
9.8
4.4
Between 2006 and 2011 there were 4,471 fewer residents
with an Australian ancestral background.
3.5
3.4
Italian Chinese Greek German
Percentage change in religion
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Multicultural Profile
Religion

Age group
Banyule remains a predominantly Christian municipality with 71,141
residents (60.1%) identifying themselves as Christians.
4.6
Between 2006 to 2011, the proportion of Christians decreased while
the proportion of other religions and no religion increased - see chart.

0.5

0.4
The proportion of older people (aged 65+ years) is higher for residents
born overseas than for residents born in Australia.
Conversely, the proportion of younger people (aged 0-24 years) is
lower for residents born overseas compared to residents born in
Australia.
0-24 yrs
13%
36%
31%
65+ yrs
23%
13%
16%
Residents born in a non-English speaking country were more likely to
have been in need of assistance with daily core activities (due to a
disability, long term medical condition or old age), than those born in
Australia or other English speaking countries.
-3.9
Residents aged 65+ years
by birthplace
23%
13%
Born in
Australia
Born
overseas
Residents in need of
assistance by birthplace
7.3%
4.3%
Australia or
English speaking
country
Education
0.4
The largest non-Christian religions are:
◦ Islam - 2,408 persons (2% of Banyule's total population)
◦ Buddhism - 2,152 persons (1.8%)
◦ Hinduism - 1,319 persons (1.1%)
◦ Sikhism - 307 persons (0.3%)
Banyule residents born overseas
Banyule residents born in Australia
Total Banyule residents
Need for
assistance3
Percentage change in religion
from 2006-2011
Residents that spoke a language other than English (LOTE) at home
were more likely to have completed Year 12 or equivalent compared
to residents that only spoke English at home - see chart.
Residents that spoke a LOTE at home were also more likely to have
completed a bachelor or higher degree - 28% compared to 22% for
residents that only spoke English at home.
Completed Year 12 or equivalent
by language spoken at home
56%
46%
English only
Community and Social Planning - Multicultural Profile
September 2016
Non-English
speaking
country
LOTE
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Multicultural Profile
Employment
In the 2011 Census, Banyule residents born in a non-English speaking
country had a higher unemployment rate compared to residents born
in Australia or an English speaking country.
6.2%
4.0%
Unemployment rate
by birthplace
Australia or
English speaking
country
Income
Banyule residents born in non-English speaking countries were least
likely to have earned a high income, while residents born overseas in
English speaking countries were most likely to have earned a high
income.
Non-English
speaking
country
Residents earning a high income
($2000+ weekly gross)
by birthplace
11%
The 2014 Banyule Household Survey found that residents that spoke a
language other than English at home were less likely to have private
health insurance (59%) compared to residents that spoke English only
(79%). They were also more likely to hold a health care card (38%
compared to 28%).
Volunteering4
Overall 17,623 (18%) Banyule residents aged 15+ years volunteered
for an organisation or group. Overseas born residents from nonEnglish backgrounds were least likely to have volunteered, while
residents born overseas in English speaking countries were most likely
to have volunteered.
Residents undertaking voluntary work
by birthplace
Health
According to Banyule's 2014 Household Survey, a lower proportion of
residents that spoke a language other than English at home, reported
their general health to be excellent, compared to residents that spoke
English only - see chart.
The majority of households that spoke a language other than English
at home always had enough fresh fruit and vegetables to eat (86%).
However this proportion was a little lower compared to households
that spoke English only (92%).
6%
Australia
5%
O'seas
English
speaking
country
20%
16%
12%
Australia
O'seas
English
speaking
country
September 2016
Non-English
speaking
country
Residents that reported their
general health to be excellent
by language spoken at home
32%
24%
English only
Community and Social Planning - Multicultural Profile
Non-English
speaking
country
LOTE
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Multicultural Profile
Recreation


Results from the 2014 Household Survey showed that the
top 10 recreational activities were very similar for respondents
that spoke a language other than English at home and
respondents that spoke English only.
The differences were; the ranking order, the inclusion of cooking for
respondents that spoke a language other than English at home, and
the inclusion of socialising/coffee with friends for respondents that
spoke English only.
Top 10 recreational activities of
respondents that spoke a LOTE at
home (%)
◦ Going to watch sport
◦ Soccer
◦ Religious activities
◦ Visiting the pub
6%
65.3
Walking
64.8
49.1
Shopping
Computer/Internet
46.3
Visiting local parks
46.3
Cooking
45.3
Dining out
45.0
Gardening
44.9
Reading
43.8
Selected recreational activities and participation rates:
LOTE
14%
14%
23%
Watching
Television
English
29%
5%
11%
14%
Listening to
music at home
Community
likes &
dislikes


Sense of local
community
In the 2014 Household Survey, the top 3 likes and dislikes of households by language spoken at home are
listed below. They were similar except for the third item.
LOTE
English only
Top 3 likes →
● Distance to shops
● Distance to parks/gardens
● Safety of area / streets
● Distance to shops
● Distance to parks/gardens
● Trees / natural vegetation
Top 3 dislikes →
● Traffic issues
● Cost of housing in the area
● Distance to family/friends
● Traffic issues
● Cost of housing in the area
● Car parking
In the 2014 Household Survey, a lower proportion of households that spoke a language other than English
5
at home, indicated very strong agreement with the statements below compared to households that spoke
English only.
◦ We have good access to health advice/services
◦ We feel part of the local community
◦ We get along with our neighbours
◦ There are good opportunities to connect with others in the community
More
information
41.0
LOTE
English
66%
40%
63%
41%
78%
49%
75%
46%
This profile is part of a suite of resources produced by Banyule's Community and Social Planning Unit. More
resources can be found at www.banyule.vic.gov.au/stats

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Multicultural Profile
Key findings and challenges
Banyule's population in relation to its cultural and linguistic diversity is changing and becoming more in line with the increasing
diversity of Greater Melbourne. The range of source countries for new migrants has increased and therefore the municipality's
diversity is greater than ever before. This has implications for the provision of community services and support such as
interpreters and translators.
Italy remains the dominant non-English country of birth for Banyule residents, however the majority of migrants from Italy
arrived 1960 and prior, thus the Italian migrants are older and ageing. Overall, the number of residents from European countries
is slowly declining while the number of residents from Asian countries and the Indian sub-continent is continuing to rise.
The proportion of older people (aged 65+ years) in Banyule, is larger for residents born overseas compared to residents born in
Australia. Different cultural backgrounds also have different age structures - the Italian and Greek population has a larger
proportion of older people compared to the Asian and Indian population. The challenge for Banyule is to provide appropriate
health, aged care and community services to support the ageing migrant population and to support the municipality's diverse
cultural, faith and linguistic needs.
The need of assistance with daily core activities increases with age. Banyule residents from non-English speaking backgrounds
were more likely to be in need of assistance than those born in Australia or English speaking countries. They were also less likely
to volunteer compared to residents from English speaking countries.
Skilled migrants comprised the bulk of recent migration in Banyule, followed by those who settled through family reunion.
6
Humanitarian arrivals represented the smallest proportion of migrant intake. Research shows that over the long term, second
generation humanitarian entrants contribute more significantly to the labour force than the first generation. Humanitarian
entrants in general place a high value on education for their young, leading to high labour force participation.
Banyule has the largest population of Somalian residents in Victoria. Between 2006 to 2011 there was a relatively small increase
in the number of residents born in Somalia, but a larger increase in those with a Somali ancestral background. This indicates that
there has been an increase in second generation Australian Somalis, and that the Somali community in Banyule is wellestablished.
In relation to religion, Banyule remains a predominantly Christian municipality, however the proportion of Christians has
decreased while the proportion of other religions has increased, with Islam being the main non-Christian religion.
While residents from non-English speaking backgrounds were more likely to have completed a bachelor or higher degree, they
were less likely to be employed and less likely to earn a high income than those born in Australia or English speaking countries.
Overseas qualifications may not always be recognised in Australia, and language can hinder job opportunities.
7
Given the relatively high youth unemployment and youth disengagement rates in some Banyule suburbs, another challenge
will be to encourage participation and access to youth services and groups.
Overall, Banyule ranks slightly better than average in comparison to the rest of the State in relation to self-reported health and
subjective well-being8. However, Banyule residents who speak a language other than English had a lower proportion reporting
their general health as excellent, a lower proportion indicating they always had enough fresh fruit and vegetables to eat and a
lower proportion that strongly agreed they had good access to health advice/services, compared to residents that speak English
only.
Some health related data is not readily available at a local government level. However national data is available to compare
CALD populations with non-CALD populations. For example:
● The 2014 Victorian Population Health Survey found that those who spoke a language other than English at home were more
likely to abstain from alcohol and had lower prevalence of lifetime risk of alcohol-related harm compared to those that spoke
English only.
● In 2014 the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare reported that on average, overseas-born residents have lower death
rates than Australian-born residents.
● In the 2014/2015 National Health Survey, people that spoke a language other than English at home were more likely to have
had diabetes compared to those that spoke English only.
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There are many factors that contribute to one's health. The absence of, or limited contact with family and friends, may impact
on a person's wellbeing. In the 2014 Banyule Household Survey, households that spoke a language other than English at home,
indicated that the distance to family/friends was one of the top 3 dislikes about living in the area.
A lower proportion of respondents from Banyule's 2014 Household Survey strongly agreed that they felt part of the local
9
community compared to those that spoke only English at home. According to a 2013 report that looked at social cohesion in the
wider community, the sense of belonging with Australia was relatively high. However, there was also a marked increase in the
proportion that had experienced some form of discrimination. With Banyule's increasingly diverse population, there is a greater
need to ensure all members of the municipality feel they belong and are accepted in the community while also being able to
access services and support.
10
The West Precinct (i.e. Heidelberg West-Bellfield and Heidelberg Heights), is the most culturally diverse area across the
municipality with the highest proportion of recent overseas arrivals, overseas born residents, low English proficiency and
residents that speak a language other than English at home. The precinct also has the lowest socio-economic profile. Greater
resources, assistance and partnerships with business, community and government is needed to improve the socio-economic
status.
Low English proficiency affects a person’s ability to access services and information. Therefore, continuing to address language
and literacy needs through English classes and through the provision of interpreters and translators, is vital to ensure every
Banyule resident has access to appropriate services and support.
Notes
1
Non-English speaking countries exclude Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom (England, Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland), and the United States of America.
2
Indian sub-continent includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
3
Identifies people who report a need for assistance due to a profound or severe core activity limitation. It does not represent
total residents with a disability - hence not all persons with a disability require assistance with their daily core activities.
4
This is a measure of formal volunteering that occurs through an organisation or group. Some people may give time readily to a
range of causes but may not interpret the activity as formal volunteering, so underrepresentation is possible.
5
In the 2014 Household Survey, household were asked to rate several statements on a scale of 0 (strongly disagree) to 10
(strongly agree). Very strong agreement is defined as scores 8-10.
6
Richard Parsons (2013) Assessing the economic contribution of refugees in Australia, Multicultural Development Association
7
Youth disengagement is defined by the ABS as 15-24 year olds not in employment or education. In contrast the youth
unemployment rate is based on 15-24 year olds seeking and available for work.
8
Community Indicators Victoria (2011)
http://www.communityindicators.net.au/wellbeing_reports/banyule
9
Professor Andrew Markus (2013), Mapping social cohesion - Scanlon Foundation Survey, National Report
http://scanlonfoundation.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/mapping-social-cohesion-national-report-2013.pdf
10
Data source
A demographic profile of the West Precinct is available from www.banyule.vic.gov.au/stats
Unless otherwise stated, data is sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) TableBuilder and id using the ABS Census
of Population and Housing 2011.
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Multicultural Profile
Location of Banyule residents born in a non-English speaking country
16.3% of Banyule's population is from a non-English speaking country compared to 24.2% in Greater Melbourne.
Proportions in Banyule range from a low of 6.6% in Montmorency to a high of 28.8% in Heidelberg West - Bellfield.
The five areas with the highest percentages are:
• Heidelberg West - Bellfield (28.8%)
• Heidelberg Heights (23.6%)
• Bundoora (23.5%)
• Heidelberg (20.7%)
• Viewbank (19.6%)
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