Between the 2016 and 2021 ABS census we have seen a very large increase in multicultural immigration in Australia. This has led to over 1.1m people in Victoria (NSW) speaking a top 10 language other than English. The largest increases have come from Indian language speakers.
The most frequently spoken languages are Chinese languages, Indian languages and Vietnamese.
Source: ABS Census 2021
| RANK | LANGUAGE | 2021 | % CHANGE FROM 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chinese Languages | 319,993 | 16% |
| 2 | Indian | 196,060 | 37% |
| 3 | Vietnamese | 118,801 | 13% |
| 4 | Greek | 107,158 | -3% |
| 5 | Italian | 92,320 | -22% |
| 6 | Arabic | 91,441 | 13% |
| 7 | Tagalog (inc Filipino) | 52,655 | 22% |
| 8 | Sinhalese | 49,501 | 24% |
| 9 | Spanish | 43,181 | 18% |
| 10 | Urdu | 38,084 | 39% |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most spoken languages in Victoria besides English?
Victoria’s top non‑English languages (based on ABS 2021 Census data) are: Chinese languages, Indian languages, Vietnamese, Greek, Italian, Arabic, Tagalog (including Filipino), Sinhalese, Spanish, and Urdu.
How many people in Victoria speak one of these top 10 languages?
Over 1.1 million Victorians speak a language other than English at home from the top 10 list highlighting substantial linguistic diversity in the state.
Which language groups in Victoria have grown the fastest recently?
Between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, Indian language and Urdu speakers showed some of the largest increases, with Indian languages up around 37% and Urdu up around 39%.
Why is this language information useful for multicultural advertising?
Language‑data helps advertisers tailor media plans and messaging, choose appropriate ethnic media channels (print, radio, TV, digital), and deliver culturally relevant campaigns to diverse Victorian communities.
Will this list always remain the same?
Not necessarily. Migration patterns change over time, so language rankings and growth rates can shift with new census data and settlement trends. Periodic updates and future censuses may show different language growth patterns.