Australia has recorded the sharpest rise in antisemitic incidents among the world’s largest Jewish diaspora nations, according to a major international report that has raised fresh concerns about the growing prevalence of anti-Jewish hate across the country.
The findings come from the J7 Annual Report on Antisemitism, released by the American Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the J7 Large Communities’ Task Force Against Antisemitism. The report examines trends across seven countries with the world’s largest Jewish populations outside Israel-Australia, Argentina, Canada, France, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.
According to the report, Australia experienced a 270 per cent increase in antisemitic incidents between 2021 and 2025, representing the largest rise among all J7 nations during that period. Researchers say the increase reflects a sustained escalation rather than a temporary spike, highlighting growing concerns over the safety and wellbeing of Australia’s Jewish community.
Data compiled by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), which contributed to the report, shows antisemitic incidents in Australia increased from 231 recorded incidents in 2013 to 1,654 incidents in 2025-an overall rise of 616 per cent over the twelve-year period. The report also notes that incident levels accelerated sharply following the Hamas attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the subsequent conflict in Gaza.
The report further reveals that Australia recorded 2,062 antisemitic incidents in 2024, compared with 495 incidents previously, illustrating how dramatically reported cases increased following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict. While methodologies vary between annual reporting periods, the broader trend identified by researchers points to a sustained and significant increase in anti-Jewish hatred.
When adjusted for population size, Australia ranked second only to Germany for the number of antisemitic incidents per 1,000 Jewish residents during 2025. According to the report, Australia recorded approximately 14.14 incidents per 1,000 Jewish residents, substantially higher than the J7 average of 3.23 incidents per 1,000 people.
Across all seven J7 countries, the report paints a concerning picture. Researchers found that antisemitic incidents increased by 136 per cent since 2022, while violent antisemitic attacks rose by 97 per cent, making 2025 the deadliest year for Jewish communities living outside Israel in more than three decades.
One of the report’s strongest findings relates to the growing role of online platforms. Researchers identified an 839 per cent increase in antisemitic activity across social media, with platforms including X and Gab recording particularly significant growth. The report warns that online hate continues to spill into real-world abuse, contributing to an increasingly hostile environment for Jewish communities.
Universities have also emerged as an area of concern. According to the report, 67 per cent of Jewish students and university staff surveyed reported experiencing harassment or discrimination, while many expressed low confidence that universities were responding effectively to antisemitic incidents occurring on campuses.
The findings coincide with the ongoing Royal Commission into Antisemitism and Social Cohesion, established following the deadly antisemitic terrorist attack at a Hanukkah gathering on Sydney’s Bondi Beach in December 2025. The commission is examining both the circumstances surrounding the attack and broader issues affecting Australia’s Jewish community, including hate crime trends, public safety and social cohesion.
Evidence presented to the Royal Commission has also highlighted the scale of the challenge facing law enforcement. NSW Police data shows reported hate crimes targeting Jewish people increased from 40 incidents in 2020 to 841 incidents in 2025, before recording 287 incidents during the first quarter of 2026 alone. Security agencies have described the threat level facing Australia’s Jewish community as remaining at a “concerning level.”
Researchers involved in the international report argue that rising antisemitism cannot be viewed in isolation from wider global developments. They note that geopolitical tensions, extremist ideologies, misinformation and the amplification of hate through social media have all contributed to the worsening situation across multiple countries.
At the same time, Australian authorities continue to stress that combating antisemitism must occur alongside efforts to address all forms of racism, religious intolerance and hate crimes. The Australian Human Rights Commission has previously reported increased experiences of racism affecting Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, Arab and Israeli communities following the conflict in the Middle East, underscoring the broader impact on social cohesion.
The report concludes with a cautious note of optimism, suggesting Australia’s Royal Commission could become a model for other democracies seeking stronger responses to antisemitism. However, researchers warn that reversing current trends will require coordinated action involving governments, educational institutions, technology companies, law enforcement agencies and community organisations.
For Australia, the findings serve as a reminder that protecting multiculturalism and social harmony requires ongoing efforts to confront hate in all its forms while ensuring every community can live safely and freely without fear of discrimination or violence.
