The Somali Community in Australia
The Australian-Somali community is estimated at over 30,000 people, with the majority centred in Melbourne. Somalis began arriving in Australia in significant numbers during the early 1990s, fleeing the civil war. Since then, the community has grown steadily, with new arrivals through family reunification, humanitarian programmes, and skilled migration pathways.
Today, Australian Somalis are an ambitious, resilient community. Young professionals, university graduates, small business owners, and families are building lives across the country while maintaining deep connections to their faith, culture, and heritage. But when it comes to guur-doon, seeking marriage, the unique challenges of living in Australia make the search harder than it needs to be. The vast distances between cities, the relatively small community size, and the geographic isolation from the wider Somali diaspora all add layers of difficulty.
Where Somalis Live Across Australia
Melbourne
Flemington, Carlton, Footscray, Heidelberg, the largest Somali community in Australia
Sydney
Auburn, Bankstown, Liverpool, a growing community in Western Sydney
Brisbane
Moorooka, Inala, an emerging Somali community in Queensland
Adelaide
An established community with strong institutions and support networks
Perth
A small but active Somali community in Western Australia
Auckland (NZ)
Cross-Tasman connections with New Zealand Somalis, a short flight from Australia
Guur-Doon Challenges in Australia
Despite being a well-established community, Somalis in Australia face specific challenges when seeking marriage:
- Geographic isolation from the global diaspora: Australia is far from the major Somali communities in Europe and North America, limiting the pool of potential spouses
- Small community size: With around 30,000 Somalis across the entire country, the local options for marriage can feel limited, especially in smaller cities
- Time zone distance from family: Coordinating the guur-doon process with family members back home or in other diaspora countries is complicated by significant time differences
- Vast distances between Australian cities: Melbourne and Perth are over 3,400 km apart, making inter-city connections difficult without a dedicated platform
- Maintaining traditions in a multicultural context: Balancing Somali marriage customs with the realities of Australian multicultural life requires patience and intentionality
Sahan addresses these challenges by connecting Somalis across all of Australia, and beyond, in a way that respects Islamic values and cultural traditions. Whether you are in Melbourne looking for someone in Sydney, or in Brisbane hoping to connect with someone in Adelaide, Sahan makes it possible.
Why Australian Somalis Choose Sahan
Australian Community
Growing user base across Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
Verified Profiles
Every profile is verified with identity checks. No catfishing, no fake accounts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Somali marriage app in Australia?
Yes. Sahan is the first marriage app built specifically for Somali Muslims, with a growing community of verified users across Australia: Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, and more.
How do Somalis in Australia find a spouse?
Through family networks, community introductions, masjid connections, and dedicated platforms like Sahan. The traditional guur-doon process is alive in Australia but has adapted to diaspora life, especially given the geographic distances involved.
Where are the biggest Somali communities in Australia?
Melbourne is by far the largest, with Somalis concentrated in Flemington, Carlton, Footscray, and Heidelberg. Sydney (Auburn, Bankstown, Liverpool), Brisbane (Moorooka, Inala), Adelaide, and Perth also have established communities.
Find Your Spouse in Australia with Sahan
Download the Somali marriage app trusted by Australian Somalis from Melbourne to Perth.