ay a central role in their lives."[265] While weekly attendance at church services in 2001 was about 1.5 million[266] (about 7.8% of the population),[267] a survey of 1,718 Australia

For much of Australian history the Church of England (now known as the Anglican Church of Australia) was the largest religious affiliation, however multicultural immigration has contributed to a decline in its relative position, with the Roman Catholic Church benefiting from the opening of post-war Australia to multicultural immigration and becoming the largest group. Similarly, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism and Judaism have all been expanding in the post war decades.[263] To a lesser extent, smaller affiliations including the Bahá'í Faith, Sikhism, Wicca and Paganism have also seen a significant increase in numbers. In the 2001 census there were, 17,381 Sikhs, 11,037 Bahá'ís, 10,632 Pagans and 8,755 Wiccans in Australia.[264]

An international survey, made by the private and not-for profit German think-tank, the Bertelsmann Foundation, found that "Australia is one of the least religious nations in the western world, coming in 17th out of 21 [countries] surveyed" and that "Nearly three out of four Australians say they are either not at all religious or that religion does not play a central role in their lives."[265] While weekly attendance at church services in 2001 was about 1.5 million[266] (about 7.8% of the population),[267] a survey of 1,718 Australians by the Christian Research Association at the end of 2009 suggested that the number of people attending religious services per month in Australia has dropped from 23% in 1993 to 16% in 2009, and while 60% of 15 to 29-year-old respondents in 1993 identified with Christian denominations, 33% did in 2009.[268]
Education
Main article: Education in Australia

School attendance is compulsory throughout Australia. Education is the responsibility of the individual states and territories[269] so the rules vary between states, but in general children are required to attend school from the age of about 5 up until about 16.[270][271] In some states (e.g., WA,[272] NT[273] & NSW[274][275]), children aged 16–17 are required to either attend school or participate in vocational training, such as an apprenticeship.