Australia's Southernmost State, Tasmania is overseen by the Archdiocese of Hobart. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholics number over 3,700 and according to the most recent census, 20% of all Indigenous people in Tasmania identify as Catholic.

For a summary of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Statistics drawn from the 2016 Census, please click here.

Evidence indicates the presence of Aboriginals in Tasmania about 40,000 years ago. Rising sea levels cut Tasmania off from mainland Australia about 10,000 years ago and by the time of European contact, the Aboriginal people in Tasmania had nine major nations, or language groups. European settlers and policy decimated the Aboriginal population to almost zero by 1832.

Tasmanian Aboriginals (along with their culture) remain and are a strong and resilient people. Around Easter time, instead of the traditional Christian feed of fish, Aboriginal children get a feed of mutton birds, sing in palawa kani (Aboriginal talk) about mutton birds, dance and make baskets lined with feathers of the bird to fill with chocolate eggs. The Hobart Museum has a wonderful Aboriginal exhibit including a stunning sea craft that depicts the ingenuity and cultural richness of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

Tasmanian Aboriginal Catholics do not have a designated Ministry but worship throughout the Parishes of the Island and work in many of the Diocesan Organisations.  NATSICC Tasmanian representative is the key point of contact.