Freedom of religion in Australia

Freedom of religion in Australia is allowed in practice and protected to varying degrees through the constitution and legislation at the Federal, state and territory level.^[1]^[2] Australia is a pluralist country with legislated principle of state neutrality and with no state religion. The nation has over 13.6 million people who identify as religious and over 9.8 million who identify with no religion.^[3]

Relevant legislation protecting religious freedoms include sections of the Constitution of Australia, Federal anti-discrimination laws and State/Territory-based human rights Acts and anti-discrimination laws. As these freedoms are not protected in a single piece of legislation, but rather appear as sections, clauses and exemptions in other Acts or laws, legal religious freedom protections are often a source of great debate and difficult to discern in Australia.

^ "Australia's Efforts to Promote and Protect Freedom of Religion and Belief". Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2018 – via www.aph.gov.au.
^ ahrc.admin (14 February 2018). "Religious Freedom Review (2018)". www.humanrights.gov.au. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
^ Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Cultural diversity: Census". 2021 Census. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2018.

[1] "Australia's Efforts to Promote and Protect Freedom of Religion and Belief". Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2018 – via www.aph.gov.au.

[ahrc.admin_2018-2] rc.admin (14 February 2018). "Religious Freedom Review (2018)". www.humanrights.gov.au. Retrieved 22 June 2018.

[3] Australian Bureau of Statistics (28 June 2022). "Cultural diversity: Census". 2021 Census. Archived from the original on 16 March 2024. Retrieved 23 June 2018.

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