Mexicans in Australia
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Migration History
The first ever Mexican recorded in Australia was a male living in Tasmania in 1881. The Mexican-born population numbered fewer than a hundred people throughout the first half of the 20th century. Exact numbers were unknown in the 1950s and ’60s because Mexicans were recorded as “other countries in South America”. Small numbers of Mexicans arrived from 1970 to 1999 (roughly 750 in total), often prompted by economic reforms and increasing income inequality in Mexico.1 The 21st century marked a significant increase in Mexican migration to Australia, with 2,055 arrivals recorded between 2000 and 2010.1 This pattern has steadily continued, increasing the population from 3,255 in 2011 to 6,845 by 2021.2 Despite this growth, the Mexican-born population remains a relatively new and small migrant community in Australia.
Mexicans who migrate to Australia are motivated to move for a number of reasons, but most come to enjoy a better quality of life. Others migrate seeking to obtain international experience, secure safe futures for their children and personally challenge themselves. A significant proportion of Mexicans report they initially migrated with no strong intentions of settling permanently in Australia, particularly those who arrived as students.3 However, the persistently insecure economic and social situation in Mexico has prompted many to seek permanent residence. At the time of the 2021 Census, roughly half (49.8%) of the Mexican-born population had Australian citizenship.2 It is estimated that one-third of Mexicans living in Australia have an Australian-born partner or spouse.
Demographics
Australia’s migration policies have a major impact on the patterns and socioeconomic profile of Mexican migration to Australia.3 Most Mexicans arrive in Australia on skilled work, student or family (including partner) visas, often as temporary migrants.3 These visa streams require individuals to meet specific migration criteria regarding their education level, English proficiency, university qualifications and/or skills in eligible professions or industries. For example, international students must demonstrate they meet certain financial capacity requirements.4, 5
Such migration pathways typically favour individuals with high socioeconomic and occupational status, and are most accessible to Mexicans from privileged backgrounds. Consequently, the Mexican diaspora in Australia tends to skew towards certain social demographics, typically those from the middle and upper classes living in major cities. Given the historical correlation between race and class in Mexico, people with full or mostly European heritage likely constitute a higher proportion of the Mexican diaspora in Australia compared to Mexico's overall demographics. However, most Mexicans in Australia consider themselves ‘mestizo’, regardless of skin tone.
The 2021 Census revealed a clear shift in religious practices among Mexican-born Australians compared to the general population in Mexico. Only half (50%) of Mexican-born people identified as Catholic, a stark contrast to the high of 78% in Mexico.2 Significantly, 36.8% of Mexican-born Australians reported no religious affiliation—three times the rate of non-religious affiliation in Mexico.2 This data suggests a potential decline in religious importance for Mexicans after migrating to Australia, possibly due to the country's more secular environment and cultural integration processes.