Ishtartv.com - syriacpress.com
07/08/2025
CANBERRA — The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has officially
recognized Syriac as a distinct ethnic and cultural group. Following its 2025
review, the ABS has included Syriac in the Australian Standard Classification
of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG) under code 4917.
“This recognition is more than just a statistical entry — it is an
official acknowledgment of our identity, our Syriac language, our rich culture,
and our ancient history that spans thousands of years,” stated the Socio-Cultural
Syriac Association, the group that initiated the recognition request.
Syriacs in Australia
Prior to this development, the ABS had already recognized Mandaean
(4912), Assyrian (4908), and Chaldean (4911) as distinct ethnic and cultural
groups. Their respective languages were categorized as Mandaean, Assyrian
Neo-Aramaic, and Chaldean Neo-Aramaic.
In 2011, the ABS removed the general “Assyrian” language classification,
which had previously encompassed multiple Neo-Aramaic languages, including
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, Chaldean Neo-Aramaic, and Mandaean. With the official
recognition of Syriac as a cultural identity, its corresponding language will
also be added to the language classifications.
Census Data and Religious Affiliations
According to the 2021 Australian census, 38,534 people reported speaking
Assyrian Neo-Aramaic (up from 28,349 in 2016) and 21,684 reported speaking
Chaldean Neo-Aramaic (up from 17,172 in 2016).
Australian census religious affiliation:
Syriac Maronites: 47,014
Melkite Catholics: 3,086
Chaldean Catholics: 14,103
Syriac Orthodox: 13,089
Assyrian Apostolic: 2,172
Assyrian Church of the East: 15,459
Ancient Church of the East: 1,495
Mandaeans: 9,178
These figures highlight the diversity and cultural significance of
Neo-Aramaic-speaking communities in Australia.
About the ASCCEG
The Australian
Standard Classification of Cultural and Ethnic Groups (ASCCEG) is the
national statistical standard used to classify ancestry data based on
geographic origin and cultural similarity. It was developed by the ABS to
assist in the collection, aggregation, and dissemination of information related
to Australia’s cultural diversity.
The inclusion of Syriac in the ASCCEG reflects the growing recognition
of Australia’s rich multicultural fabric and affirms the presence of the Syriac
community as a vital part of the national tapestry.
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