Many Australians are embracing veganism due to growing health, environmental, and ethical concerns, coupled with increased accessibility and social influence, leading to more plant-based options in supermarkets and restaurants, making it a mainstream choice beyond just a niche trend. Key drivers include awareness of climate impact, animal welfare, and personal health benefits like heart disease, alongside strong community support and easy availability of alternatives.
As awareness around sustainability, health, and animal welfare grows, more Australians are embracing plant-based diets. Food businesses are responding to this increased demand by offering a wider range of innovative products, from plant-based proteins to vegan-friendly snacks.
What Percentage of Australia is vegan? According to the latest The Food Frontier consumer survey in 2024, approximately 5% of Australians now adhere to a vegan diet, a 2% increase from 2023, as reported by Statista.
Barring Japan, 16-30% of people identified as flexitarians in each of the other 10 countries in the survey. India houses the highest share of meat-free eaters globally, with 14% saying they're vegan and another 26% vegetarian.
The 80/20 Rule for Vegans
This flexible approach suggests aiming to eat vegan 80% of the time while allowing yourself some flexibility the remaining 20%. This can be particularly helpful when you're just starting out or in social situations where vegan options might be limited.
Miley Cyrus stopped being strictly vegan because she experienced health issues, feeling malnourished and that her brain wasn't functioning properly after six years on the diet, leading her to reintroduce fish and omegas for better brain function, though she still values animal welfare. She noted feeling "much sharper" and healthier after adding animal products like fish back into her diet, which was a difficult transition emotionally, but a necessary one for her body.
Gordon Ramsay, once famously dismissive of vegans ("I'm allergic to vegans!"), has dramatically shifted his public stance, now admitting he "absolutely loves vegan food," developing plant-based recipes like Beet Wellington, starring in dairy-free ads, and embracing vegan options for his kids, though some question if it's purely a business move or genuine culinary evolution. He now promotes plant-based eating, even doing vegan challenges, showcasing a big change from his past anti-vegan remarks.
PETA has videos showing that animals are beaten, dragged, and thrown against walls in slaughterhouses across the country. After going vegetarian, Einstein said, “So I am living without fats, without meat, without fish, but am feeling quite well this way.
No, but apparently she does occasionally support some animal causes and will occasionally eat vegetarian foods (who doesn't?), and has offered vegan options at the concert concessions where she performs. She is definitely not a vegan, but seems to be open minded. As she gets older and starts to get…
On average, Americans ate nearly 7 per cent more meat in 2024 than before the pandemic, and, despite claims that veganism is still growing, only one per cent of Americans said they are vegan in 2023, down from 3 per cent in 2018.
While large cities like Melbourne and Sydney have abundant options, Port Macquarie (NSW) is often cited as Australia's top "vegan and vegetarian capital" for its high density of vegan-friendly restaurants per capita, followed by places like Caloundra (QLD) and Castlemaine (VIC) being popular vegan-friendly small towns. Melbourne, especially inner suburbs like Fitzroy, is recognized globally for its extensive plant-based scene, while the Sunshine Coast (QLD) leads in vegan cafes/restaurants per person among larger areas.
While several studies have shown that a vegan diet (VD) decreases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, veganism has been associated with adverse health outcomes, namely, nervous, skeletal, and immune system ...
Yet for many veterinarians, their food choices do not reflect that oath, even though it does not specify companion animals. While they may not be consuming cats and dogs, they are most likely consuming other species like cows, chickens, and pigs.
"I've found a counterculture way of living, of embracing red meat and organs — natural food just like our millennia of ancestors would have eaten for hundreds of thousands of years," he said. "I've tried to listen to my body more, tried to listen to nature, and I don't miss vegetables at all.
Yet The Vegan Society's statistics are clear: there are more vegans than ever. And Veganuary, which was founded in 2014, saw an estimated 25.8 million people worldwide try veganism in January 2025.
Australia's First Nations people had traditionally consumed a plant-based diet of approximately 30 to 90 per cent of their total food intake, depending on where they lived. As a cultural or religious choice, vegetarianism was first introduced to Australia by the Swedenborgians who arrived here in the 1830s.
Miley Cyrus stopped being strictly vegan because she experienced health issues, feeling malnourished and that her brain wasn't functioning properly after six years on the diet, leading her to reintroduce fish and omegas for better brain function, though she still values animal welfare. She noted feeling "much sharper" and healthier after adding animal products like fish back into her diet, which was a difficult transition emotionally, but a necessary one for her body.
A recent article by Glamour said that he has been a vegan for years. Elle Australia has also reported on the actor's vegan diet, referencing an article published by Eonline 2012. Other publications, including the Daily Mail, suggest that Pitt is vegetarian—and has been for “decades.”
The Kardashians star Kim Kardashian is one of the notable members of the vegan community. Although she has not officially declared herself as so, the reality star has routinely influenced her vegan lifestyle on social media.
Musk used to be an herbivore, but he switched up his eating habits circa 2013. “I tried being a vegetarian but I don't really think we're designed to be vegetarians,” he told The Guardian. “Some of my best friends are vegetarians, even vegans, which is tricky when you're trying to go out for dinner.”
Amitabh Bachchan, the legendary actor, has been a dedicated vegetarian for years. Known for his discipline and wellness routines, he often credits his diet for his enduring energy and good health.
Gordon Ramsay was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), a common and treatable form of skin cancer, which required surgical removal from his jawline near his ear in late August 2025, leading him to share his experience online to urge fans to use sunscreen and protect their skin. He posted photos of his bandages, emphasizing sun safety and thanking his medical team.
If you're wondering whether Jamie has gone full vegan, we have the details. In a week, he goes vegan for a day and a half and then goes vegetarian twice a week, the remaining days he sticks to his usual diet.
VEGAN ITEMS AT MCDONALDS:
Apple slices: a reliable side/snack. Baked Apple Pie: Now free from animal-derived ingredients. However, please double-check cooking-oil or cross-contact in your location if that's a concern. Fruit & Maple Oatmeal: if you request it without cream or dairy.