Smaller Jewish communities in Australia

Australia has reliable (if under-enumerated) data on its Jewish communities. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) conducts a population census every five years and the responses to all questions are tabulated without sampling. A standard question at the census, unchanged since the federation of Australia in 1901, requires respondents to state their religious affiliation. The definition of ‘Jewish’ relies on self-identification, consistent with the approach used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and other central statistical agencies throughout the world. However, some Jews may consistently decide for a number of reasons not to disclose their religious denomination: it is not compulsory to answer this question. There may be the fear of antisemitism, distrust of government agencies, or reluctance to divulge personal details. Moreover, those who regard themselves as Jewish but who are not observant may not wish to have their identity linked only with religion. An estimate of 20 to 25 per cent has been accepted as a constant under-enumeration factor by a number of Australian demographers. In 2001 and again in 2006, very reliable statistics for Sydney were gathered from educational bodies and they confirm a census under-enumeration of around 20 per cent. Therefore, whilst the census gives a total of 86,000 Jews in Australia, the likely total based on 20 per cent of under-enumeration is closer to 105,000