Filipinos in Melbourne form a vibrant and diverse community that has contributed significantly to the city’s culture, economy, and social fabric. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data from the 2016 census, there were 66,382 people in Victoria who identified as having Filipino ancestry, with a significant proportion of them residing in Melbourne.

Filipinos have formed tight-knit communities in various suburbs of Melbourne, including Clayton, Footscray, St. Albans, and Dandenong. In terms of age distribution, the majority of Filipinos in Melbourne were working-age adults, with 56% aged between 25 and 54 years old.

Additionally, 26% were aged 15 to 24 years old, 16% were 55 years and older, and only 2% were under 15 years old.
Furthermore, the ABS data shows that in terms of language, 66% of Filipinos in Melbourne spoke English at home, while 23% spoke Tagalog, the most commonly spoken language in the Philippines. Other languages spoken at home by Filipinos in Melbourne included Waray-Waray, Bisaya, and Ilocano. In terms of education, 58% of Filipinos in Melbourne had attained a post-school qualification, which was higher than the state average of 46%. Furthermore, 31% of them had a bachelor’s degree or higher, which was also higher than the state average of 23%.

In terms of employment, 65% of Filipinos in Melbourne were employed, which was similar to the state average. The most common industries of employment for Filipinos were healthcare and social assistance, followed by accommodation and food services, education and training, and retail trade.

The Filipino community in Melbourne is known for its strong family values, community spirit, and love for food and music. They celebrate various Filipino cultural events throughout the year, including the Philippine Independence Day, the Feast of the Black Nazarene, and the Christmas season. Filipino food is also becoming more popular in Melbourne, with several Filipino restaurants and eateries opening up in recent years.

In addition to celebrating their culture and traditions, the Filipino community in Melbourne has also established various organizations and associations that cater to their social, cultural, and economic needs. These include religious groups, sports teams, and community organizations. One notable group is the “Pinoys in Melbourne” Facebook group, which has over 30,000 members and serves as a platform for Filipinos in Melbourne to connect, share information, and support one another.

While the majority of Filipinos in Victoria reside in Melbourne, there is also a growing number of Filipinos living in regional areas of the state. These include areas such as Bendigo, Ballarat, and Geelong, where there are smaller but still active Filipino communities. These communities often come together to celebrate cultural events and support each other through community organizations and social groups.
Overall, Filipinos in Melbourne and wider Victoria have made significant contributions to the state’s cultural diversity, economy, and community spirit. They have brought their unique cultural traditions and values to Victoria, enriching the state’s social fabric and contributing to its prosperity.