Cultural diversity
Birthplace
About this topic
Birthplace records the country in which a person was born. It is a core measure of migration history and cultural diversity and helps distinguish Australia-born and overseas-born populations.
This topic is useful for understanding settlement patterns and the likely language, service, and support needs of different communities. It should be interpreted together with ancestry, language used at home, and religion for a fuller view of cultural diversity.
Interpretation notes
- Country of birth measures birthplace only; it does not capture ancestry, ethnicity, or current citizenship on its own.
- Use birthplace with ancestry and language when interpreting cultural background, because many cultural groups include both Australia-born and overseas-born people.
Key insight
In 2021, 50.4% (95,980) of people in Monash (C) were born overseas, compared with 35.7% in Greater Melbourne. A further 45.7% (86,968) of people were born in Australia.
Section overview
Birthplace - Ranked by size
Monash (C) - Overseas born (Usual residence)
This table summarises birthplace for Monash (C) in 2021 for persons, with comparison against Greater Melbourne and change since 2016.
Birthplace - Ranked by size snapshot
2021 distribution by category for Monash (C), with comparison markers for Greater Melbourne.
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
2021 count
22,608
% of total
11.9%
Change from 2016
-0.6pp
22,608
11.9%
-0.6pp
India
2021 count
13,517
% of total
7.1%
Change from 2016
+1.8pp
13,517
7.1%
+1.8pp
Sri Lanka
2021 count
7,515
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
+0.3pp
7,515
3.9%
+0.3pp
Not stated
2021 count
7,390
% of total
3.9%
Change from 2016
-1.0pp
7,390
3.9%
-1.0pp
Malaysia
2021 count
6,497
% of total
3.4%
Change from 2016
+0.1pp
6,497
3.4%
+0.1pp
Greece
2021 count
4,489
% of total
2.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
4,489
2.4%
0.0pp
Vietnam
2021 count
3,248
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
+0.2pp
3,248
1.7%
+0.2pp
England
2021 count
3,201
% of total
1.7%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
3,201
1.7%
-0.2pp
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
2021 count
2,730
% of total
1.4%
Change from 2016
0.0pp
2,730
1.4%
0.0pp
Italy
2021 count
2,354
% of total
1.2%
Change from 2016
-0.2pp
2,354
1.2%
-0.2pp
Chart view
Birthplace - Ranked by size change
Absolute change in category counts between 2016 and 2021.
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan)
-270
-0.6pp
India
+3,902
+1.8pp
Sri Lanka
+873
+0.3pp
Not stated
-1,564
-1.0pp
Malaysia
+420
+0.1pp
Greece
+37
0.0pp
Vietnam
+440
+0.2pp
England
-267
-0.2pp
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
+205
0.0pp
Italy
-288
-0.2pp
Data table
Birthplace for Monash (C). Birthplace - Ranked by size. 2021 and 2016 counts, percentages, and change compared with Greater Melbourne.
| Category | 2021 | 2016 | Change | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | % | Greater Melbourne% | Count | pp | |
| China (excludes SARs and Taiwan) | 22,608 | 11.9% | 3.4% | 22,878 | 12.5% | 3.5% | -270 | -0.6pp |
| India | 13,517 | 7.1% | 4.9% | 9,615 | 5.3% | 3.6% | +3,902 | +1.8pp |
| Sri Lanka | 7,515 | 3.9% | 1.3% | 6,642 | 3.6% | 1.2% | +873 | +0.3pp |
| Not stated | 7,390 | 3.9% | 4.4% | 8,954 | 4.9% | 6.3% | -1,564 | -1.0pp |
| Malaysia | 6,497 | 3.4% | 1.2% | 6,077 | 3.3% | 1.1% | +420 | +0.1pp |
| Greece | 4,489 | 2.4% | 0.9% | 4,452 | 2.4% | 1.0% | +37 | 0.0pp |
| Vietnam | 3,248 | 1.7% | 1.8% | 2,808 | 1.5% | 1.8% | +440 | +0.2pp |
| England | 3,201 | 1.7% | 2.7% | 3,468 | 1.9% | 3.0% | -267 | -0.2pp |
| Hong Kong (SAR of China) | 2,730 | 1.4% | 0.5% | 2,525 | 1.4% | 0.5% | +205 | 0.0pp |
| Italy | 2,354 | 1.2% | 1.2% | 2,642 | 1.4% | 1.4% | -288 | -0.2pp |
Excludes countries of birth with fewer than 10 people.