Western Australia is a vast state with a linguistic profile that differs meaningfully from the eastern seaboard. Its proximity to Southeast Asia, a resources-driven economy that attracts skilled workers from around the globe, and a distinctive European migration history combine to create language patterns all its own. Understanding the languages spoken in Western Australia reveals both the legacy communities that have shaped the state for decades and the newer arrivals transforming its demographics today.
Statewide Language Statistics
According to the 2021 ABS Census, approximately 21 per cent of Western Australian residents speak a language other than English at home. The vast majority of these speakers live in the Perth metropolitan area, but regional centres like Bunbury, Geraldton, Kalgoorlie and Karratha also have notable non-English-speaking populations, often tied to mining, agriculture or fishing industries.
The languages spoken in Western Australia span every major language family. Here are the most widely spoken non-English languages across the state:
- Mandarin — approximately 60,000 speakers statewide, concentrated in Perth's inner and southern suburbs. Our Chinese translation services are NAATI certified for all official document types.
- Italian — around 32,000 speakers, reflecting one of the strongest Italian communities in Australia. Fremantle's cappuccino strip owes its character to this heritage. We offer certified Italian translation.
- Vietnamese — approximately 27,000 speakers, with established communities in Perth's northern suburbs. See our Vietnamese translation page.
- Malay — around 22,000 speakers. Western Australia has Australia's largest Malaysian community relative to population, reflecting decades of student and family migration. Our Malay translation services cover all documents.
- Indonesian — approximately 20,000 speakers. Like Malay, Indonesian is far more prominent in WA than in the eastern states. We provide Indonesian translation for immigration and official purposes.
- Hindi — around 19,000 speakers, growing rapidly. Our Hindi translation services handle academic and identity documents.
- Tagalog (Filipino) — approximately 18,000 speakers, many working in healthcare, hospitality and resources. See our Tagalog translation services.
- Arabic — around 15,000 speakers. Our Arabic translation team is experienced with all common document types.
- Cantonese — approximately 13,000 speakers.
- Punjabi — around 12,000 speakers, one of the fastest-growing languages. We offer Punjabi translation services.
The Southeast Asian Corridor
Perth is closer to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta than it is to Sydney. This geographic reality has had a profound effect on the languages spoken in Western Australia. Malay and Indonesian speakers are proportionally far more common in WA than anywhere else in Australia. Many Malaysian students who studied in Perth during the 1980s and 1990s have remained permanently, creating a multigenerational community with ongoing translation needs — from academic equivalency assessments to estate and property documents.
Thai, Burmese and Cambodian (Khmer) communities also have notable presences, particularly in Perth's northern metropolitan area. Humanitarian intake from Myanmar has brought a growing Burmese-speaking population that regularly needs identity documents and medical records translated.
European Languages and the Mining Connection
Western Australia's post-war migration from Southern Europe was heavily influenced by the state's mining and agricultural sectors. Italian, Croatian and Greek migrants settled in Perth and regional towns, and their languages remain among the most widely spoken in the state. The Croatian community in Perth is particularly notable — Kalgoorlie and the Goldfields attracted significant Croatian migration during the gold rush and post-war periods.
More recently, the resources boom has drawn skilled workers from South Africa, the Philippines, India and South America. Portuguese (particularly Brazilian Portuguese) and Spanish have both grown as mining engineers and technicians settle in Perth with their families. These workers frequently need qualifications, police clearances and driving licences translated for work in regional WA.
Indian Subcontinental Languages on the Rise
The 2021 Census confirmed strong growth across all major Indian languages in Western Australia. Hindi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu and Bengali all recorded increases, driven by skilled migration in IT, engineering, healthcare and education. For insights into this national trend, see our article on Indian languages spoken in Australia.
Nepali has also grown sharply, with the Bhutanese and Nepalese community establishing itself in Perth's outer suburbs. Many new arrivals need comprehensive document translation for skilled visa applications and professional registration.
Getting Documents Translated in Western Australia
Regardless of which language community you belong to, if you need documents translated for official purposes in Australia, they must be certified by a NAATI-certified translator. This applies to submissions to WA government agencies, the Department of Home Affairs, universities, professional registration bodies and courts.
Standard certified translations start from $80, depending on language, volume and layout complexity. Most standard documents are delivered within 24–48 hours, and urgent same-day delivery is possible for licence translations. Whether you are in Perth, Bunbury, Geraldton or a remote mining town, our online service means you can submit documents from anywhere in Western Australia and receive your certified translation electronically. Our NAATI-certified translators have over 10 years' experience and produce translations accepted by all Australian government departments. To get a precise quote for your document, request a quote today.