Considering the British used Australia as a destination for banished convicts, where might many religious activities have taken place during the late 1700s in Australia?

Religion in Australia is diverse. The Constitution of Australia of 1901 prohibits the Commonwealth government from establishing a churchor interfering with the freedom of religion; [note 1] however, the Australian population is predominantly Christian. In an optional question on the 2011 Census, 61.1% of the Australian population declared some variety of Christianity. Historically the percentage has been far higher and the religious landscape of Australia is changing and diversifying.[1] Also in 2011, 22.3% of Australians stated "no religion" and a further 9.4% chose not to answer the question.[1] The remaining population is a diverse group which includes Buddhists (2.5%), Muslims (2.2%), Hindus (1.3%) and Jews (0.5%).[1]

Australia's Aboriginal people developed the animist spirituality of the Dreaming and some of the earliest evidence on earth for religious practices among humans has been found in the archaeological record of their ancestors. Torres Strait Islander religion bore similarities to broader Melanesian spirituality. The general isolation of indigenous Australian religion ended with the arrival of the first British settlers in 1788, whereafter subsequent immigrants and their descendants have been predominantly Christian.

While the Church of England originally held a position of privilege in early colonial Australia, a legal framework guaranteeing religious equality began to evolve within a few short decades. [citation needed] From the earliest days of the colony there were Jews and other religious minorities. Events such as the 19th century Australian gold rushes brought adherents of the various Chinese religions; and the requirements of the pre-mechanised era of transport brought specialised workers from British India, such as the mainly Muslim "Afghan Cameleers".

While Australia has a strong tradition of secular government, religious organisations have played a significant role in public life. The Christian churches, in particular, have played an integral role in the development of education, health and welfare services. [citation needed] While less than a quarter of Christians attend church weekly, around a quarter of all school students attend church-affiliated schools [citation needed] and the Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas are public holidays. The Roman Catholic Church is by far the largest non-government provider of health and education services in Australia [citation needed] and faith-based aid organisations such as the St Vincent De Paul Society and theSalvation Army receive widespread community support. [citation needed] New religious movements are also practised.