Australia is a vibrant and multicultural nation where learning a second language can open doors to new opportunities, cultural experiences, and professional growth.
With over 300 languages spoken nationwide, choosing the right language to learn can be exciting and daunting.
This blog will explore the most beneficial and best language to learn in Australia. We are considering the following factors:
- cultural relevance
- career prospects
- personal interests
Australia is the melting pot of cultures. It has a rich tapestry of languages spoken nationwide.
While English is the dominant language, a significant portion of the population communicates in other languages like Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, etc., reflecting its residents’ diverse backgrounds. As globalisation continues to shape our world, learning a new language can offer numerous benefits.
Here are the top languages to learn in Australia which are spoken by many people in Australia.
1. Mandarin Chinese
One of the best languages to learn in 2025 is Mandarin. With over 685,274 people Chinese speakers in Australia, the statistics have been growing since 2016. Mandarin is the most widely spoken language in Australia after English. It is also the official language of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan (Republic of China, ROC). Therefore, learning the Chinese language in Australia after English will benefit you in multiple ways:
- China is OZ’s largest trading partner; thus, anyone willing to grow economically and financially finds this one of the most useful languages to learn.
- Australians willing to enhance their market must know the language by heart for cultural understanding and exchange.
Trivia: Ever wondered which is the oldest language in the world? Arabic is the newest oldest language, the history of languages dates back to c. 3200–3100 BCE
2. Arabic
With over 400,000 native speakers, it is the next most popular second language in Australia. Arabic is widely used by refugees, immigrants, and students. Arabic is spoken in many countries in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa, namely Iraq, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Kuwait, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, Mauritania, Comoros, and Djibouti.
- Knowing this language is essential for the geopolitical landscape of the Arab world. This language is valid worldwide and can help you advance academically and professionally.
- It encourages critical thinking and provides insights into a rich literary and cultural tradition that spans centuries. This makes Arabic one of the top foreign languages in demand in Australia.
3. Vietnamese
The Vietnamese community in Australia has grown substantially since the 1970s. It contributes richly to the nation’s cultural fabric. 320,758 people converse in Vietnamese here, making it the widely spoken language in the Land Downunder. Interestingly, 1.14% of the world’s population converses in Vietnamese.
- You can learn this language to develop a deeper connection with the population and promote inclusivity and a sense of identity.
- Many Australian universities also offer comprehensive Vietnamese language programs that teach the language and integrate cultural learning.
4. Cantonese
With approximately 295,281 people in Australia, Cantonese is the native language of Hong Kong and Guangdong province in China and the fourth most spoken language.
- Understanding Cantonese will help you to enhance social cohesion and multiculturalism.
- Since Hong Kong and Guangdong have a strong economy, proficiency in this language can help you better facilitate business, trade, and hospitality.
5. Punjabi
Punjabi is the fifth most spoken language in Australia. More than 238,000 people speak Punjabi, and around 150 million people worldwide, including Pakistan, India, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, verbalise Punjabi.
- It is one of the most useful languages to learn in Australia because it is one of the fastest-growing communities.
- From Australia’s education and healthcare to customer service and workplace, it is one of the major choice for many because of its cultural heritage and global presence.
6. Greek
If you follow the language learning trends in Australia, you will find that the graph of Greeks is stable yet significant. Approximately 329,000 people voice in this language at home, showing a slight decrease from previous years. Yet, it is maintaining its position as one of the top ten languages spoken in Australia.
- It profoundly influences this country, including its rich traditions, history, and contemporary influences such as food and festivals.
- The business and tourism sectors benefit from multilingual employees communicating effectively with Greek clients and partners.
7. French
- French is spoken by 70,744 people at home, indicating a stable presence within the community.
- French is the official language of 29 countries. It is spoken by approximately 274 million people worldwide.
- Proficiency in French can significantly enhance your resume, making you a more attractive candidate for employers.
- It especially helps in international business, diplomacy, and organisations like the United Nations and the European Union.
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8. Italian
- Around 300,000 people converse in Italian at home, indicating a consistent presence within the community.
- Italian civilisation greatly influences this country through cuisine, art, and festivals.
- The demand for multilingual employees in sectors like hospitality and education continues to grow as businesses seek to connect with Italian clients.
9. Hindi
- The number of Hindi speakers in Australia is on the rise. Approximately 600,000 people spoke Hindi at home, reflecting a significant increase over recent years.
- Indian values, rituals, and customs, including Bollywood films and festivals like Diwali, increasingly influence Australian society.
- The need for multilingual employees in business and healthcare is growing as more Aussies engage with Hindi communities.
10. Spanish
- Spanish speakers in Australia are increasing steadily. Reports claim that around 250,000 people speak Spanish at home, marking a growth in interest in and usage of the language.
- The influence of Spanish traditions is evident through its cuisine, music, and festivals celebrated across Australia.
- As trade with Spanish-speaking countries grows, so does the demand for multilingual professionals in various sectors.
11. Tagalog
- Tagalog is experiencing significant growth in Australia. The 2021 Census recorded approximately 400,000 people speaking Tagalog at home, showcasing its rising popularity.
- Australian society is enriched by Filipinos through food, music, and community events.
- The demand for Tagalog-speaking professionals is increasing in sectors such as healthcare and education to serve the Filipino community better.
12. Korean
- If you follow the language learning trends in Australia, you will find that the graph of people speaking Korean is increasing.
- From 108,994 speakers in the 2016 Census to 115,545 people in Census 2021, its popularity is growing daily!
- Koreans deeply influence Aussies, including its rich traditions, history, and contemporary influences such as K-pop and cinema.
- The business, tourism, and education sectors need multilingual employees to communicate effectively with Korean clients and partners.
13. Nepali
- The number of Nepali speakers in Australia is on the rise, with 100,000 people speaking Nepali at home.
- Nepalis have begun influencing Australian society through festivals like Dashain and Tihar.
- There is a growing need for multilingual education and community services employees to support this expanding demographic.
14. Persian
- With around 90,000 people speaking Persian at home, the number of Persian speakers is also increasing in Australia.
- Persians influence Aussies through literature, art, and cuisine. The need for multilingual professionals in translation services and community engagement sectors is growing.
Expert Tip: To enjoy Persian literature, you must seek a good literary translation to enjoy the nuances.
15. Indonesian
- Indonesian speakers are steadily increasing in Australia. About 65,000 people speak it at home.
- Its culture influences everyone through food and tourism. The growing demand for bilingual professionals in business and hospitality shows the importance of learning at least two main languages to facilitate client connections.
16. Russian
- The number of Russian speakers in Australia remains significant. Approximately 80,000 people speak Russian at home.
- Russian is also among the most popular languages in the land of Kangaroos. It has made an impact through literature and arts within Australian society.
- The demand for Russian-speaking professionals is in various sectors, including education and healthcare.
17. Turkish
- Turkish speakers are also on the rise in Australia. Records suggest around 90,000 people speak Turkish at home.
- Turkish lifestyles, customs, and values influence cuisine and festivals such as Ramadan celebrations across the world.
- There is a growing need for Turkish-speaking professionals in community services and healthcare sectors.
18. Thai
- The number of Thai speakers in Australia has increased steadily. Approximately 60,000 people speak Thai at home.
- Thai manners have influenced Aussies through its cuisine and traditional festivals. The demand for Thai-speaking professionals continues to grow within the hospitality sector.
19. Tamil
- Tamilians enrich the society through festivals like Pongal and Tamil cinema.
- Tamil speakers are experiencing steady growth in Australia, with about 130,000 people speaking Tamil at home.
- The Tamil-speaking community is so big that few even have a misconception that Tamil is the official language of Australia.
- There is an increasing need for Tamil-speaking professionals, particularly in the healthcare and education sectors.
20. Japanese
- Japanese speakers are also on the rise in Australia. Approximately 80,000 people speak Japanese at home.
- Japanese people influence Australians through anime, cuisine, and traditional arts like tea ceremonies. Thus, learning German and enhancing language skills can benefit you.
- The demand for Japanese-speaking professionals grows within educational institutions and businesses engaged with Japan.
21. German
- German speakers remain stable in OZ, with around 100,000 individuals speaking German at home.
- The German economy is one of the largest worldwide, and its culture has influenced Australian society through contributions to science and engineering fields.
- There is a consistent demand for German-speaking professionals, particularly in technical industries and academia.
Which is the Easiest Foreign Language to Learn?
For a native English speaker, Spanish is the easiest language to learn. We have 117,493 Spanish speakers as Australian residents.
- Approximate time to learn: 24 weeks (600 hours)
- Number of speakers: Over 460 million across the world
- Reason: Spanish is widely spoken and has many cognates compared to English, making vocabulary acquisition easier. Unlike English Language Conventions, Its grammar is straightforward, and many countries have abundant cultural immersion opportunities. Furthermore, the alphabet is similar to English, which could benefit significantly.
What are the Advantages of Learning a Second Language?
Better Career Prospects: A multilingual person has a competitive edge in the globalised world and can easily participate in coalitions happening all over the world.
Enhanced Brain Function: Learning languages promotes brain function, improves memory and attention, and enhances problem-solving and multitasking skills.
Enhanced Travel Experiences: Communicating in the local language promotes cultural enrichment, understanding, and deeper engagement with people.
Increased Academic Performance: Bilingual or multilingual students do better in standardised tests and demonstrate improved academic performance.
Pro Tip: If you are willing to travel to the land of Kangaroos, you must translate your foreign language documents to English by translators with NAATI accreditation.
Conclusion
- What is the Official Language Of Australia? Learn Interesting Facts - May 22, 2025
- Top 10 Oldest Language in the World: A Peek into the Oldest Written Language - May 12, 2025
- How Many Languages Are Spoken in Australia? - April 18, 2025