Without mass migration the Australian religious landscape would look very different today - HSC - SSCE Studies of Religion - Question 11 - 2020 - Paper 1

The statement that mass migration reshaped the religious landscape of Australia is largely accurate. Since 1945, particularly between 1966 and 1975, the influx of migrants from various countries has significantly influenced the diversity of religious beliefs within Australia.

For example, prior to mass migration, the predominant religion was Christianity, with approximately 88.2% of the population identifying as Christian in the early 1960s. However, with the arrival of migrants from South-East Asia and other regions, this percentage has noticeably declined. By 2016, the proportion of Christians in Australia had fallen to less than half of the population.

Additionally, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics as of 2016, around 30% of the population identified as non-religious. Non-Christian religious identification in the same year decreased to 8.2%, which highlighted the influence of both secularization and the evolving demographic landscape.

In conclusion, mass migration has enriched the religious tapestry of Australia by bringing various faiths and practices, leading to a more pluralistic society today.