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Australia is known for its multicultural and culturally diverse society, with people from all backgrounds coming together to create a rich mix of cultures and traditions. Indians are the second-largest migrant group in Australia, with around 976,000 people of Indian heritage as of the 2021 census, representing 3.1% to 4% of the Australian population. Australia offers a high standard of living, good pay, and a strong economy, attracting many Indian immigrants seeking better job opportunities and a higher quality of life. The connection between India and Australia dates back to the early history of the Australian colony, with Indian immigration beginning in the 1800s and increasing significantly after the racist White Australia policy was abolished in 1973. Today, Australia continues to deepen its connections with India, exploring bilateral ties in various sectors, including trade, education, and technology.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Indian-Australians as % of population | 3.1% (2021 census) or 4% (2024) |
| Number of Indian-Australians | 783,958 (2021 census), 976,000 (2021 census), 721,050 (2019 estimate) |
| Indian students in Australia | 120,000 |
| Indian immigrants in the 1800s | Labourers or servants of British subjects |
| Indian immigrants in the 1900s | Tech workers, doctors, nurses, academics |
| Australian universities in India | Deakin University, Wollongong University |
| Indian associations in Australia | Help the Indian community, including students, by organising cultural functions |
| Indian-Australians in politics | Underrepresented |
| Bilateral ties | Migration deal to make it easier for students, academics, and professionals to travel and work in India and Australia |
| Australia-India collaborations | Technology, innovation, education, training for STEM, wetland agriculture, space tech, green energy, indigenous art, agriculture sector, water management, dairy industry |
| Advice for Indian students in Australia | Learn about your rights, spend time with other students from other countries and Australian students, be ready to communicate about your culture |
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What You'll Learn
Indian students in Australia
Australia is a popular destination for Indian students, with over 125,000 currently enrolled in Australian educational institutions. The Australian government has denied claims of restricting student visa applications from certain Indian states, emphasising the strong educational ties between the two nations. The current student visa approval rate for Indian applicants is approximately 85%, indicating a strong acceptance rate for genuine students. Indian students in Australia benefit from high-quality education, extended post-study work rights, and special bilateral arrangements that support their long-term career goals.
In recent years, there has been a growing Indian diaspora in Australia, with Indians becoming the second-largest migrant group in the country. This is partly due to the Australian government's efforts to attract international students and professionals, such as the migration deal announced in 2023 to facilitate the movement of students, academics, and professionals between India and Australia. Soft power exports, such as the TV show MasterChef Australia, cricket, and films, have also played a role in strengthening bilateral ties and attracting Indians to Australia.
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Indian-Australians in politics
Indians are the second-largest migrant group in Australia, and their numbers are rising. The history of Indians migrating to Australia dates back to the 1800s, but the population significantly increased after the racist 'White Australia' policy was scrapped in 1973. The real game-changer came in 2006 when the Australian government opened its doors to Indian students. The 2022 DFAT Diaspora Mapping Report highlights the Indian diaspora as Australia's fastest-growing, with Indian-born residents in Australia quadrupling between 2006 and 2020.
However, Indian-Australians are underrepresented in politics, especially at the federal level. While they are active across business, politics, the judiciary, government, civil society, academia, science, the arts, and sport, they are not well-represented in leadership positions. The 2021 Board Diversity Index found that it would take 18 years for ASX 300 boardrooms to reflect Australian cultural diversity. This lack of representation poses the risk of diaspora talent becoming disengaged and seeking opportunities in other countries.
Nevertheless, there are signs of progress. In the recent New South Wales state election, Indian-Australian MP Daniel Mookhey became the first MP in Australia's history to take the oath on the Bhagavad Gita. Pru Car, also of Indian origin, became the deputy premier of NSW, and Charishma Kaliyanda became the first Indian-born Australian elected to NSW parliament. This new NSW cabinet may reflect a more modern Australia, but the representation is yet to be seen in boardrooms, universities, and various other corridors of power.
Australia is a multicultural country with many talented individuals from the subcontinent and the broader Indo-Pacific region. The growing Indian diaspora in Australia is a new force in politics, and their increasing presence in the corridors of power reflects their growing influence in the country.
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Migration history
The history of Indian migration to Australia is a long and complex one, dating back to the 18th century. The first wave of Indian migration to Australia took place between 1800 and 1860, with Indians working as labourers, domestic workers, and even soldiers and sailors aboard visiting European ships. Many were recruited as labourers by the British government, while others arrived as servants of British subjects who had been living in India. Some Indians also came to Australia as convicts transported by the British colonial government.
In the late 19th century, more Indians arrived in Australia seeking work, mostly as agricultural labourers, hawkers, and traders. They settled mainly in rural areas, with Woolgoolga, a town 500 kilometres north of Sydney, becoming an early centre of Sikh migration. By 1901, the India-born population of Victoria was almost 1,800, and the total Indian Australian population numbered around 6,500-7,000.
However, the introduction of the ""White Australia Policy" in 1901 restricted further Indian immigration, except for Anglo-Celtic colonials and, later, some Anglo-Indians. This policy was a racist law that limited non-white immigration to Australia. As a result, Indian migration to Australia ground to a halt until the early 1970s.
After India gained independence from Britain in 1947, a large number of Anglo-Indians and people of Indian origin holding passports of third countries migrated to Australia. In the 1960s and 1970s, a broader range of Indians began arriving, including professionals such as doctors, teachers, and engineers. The end of the "White Australia Policy" in 1973 further increased Indian migration, and by the late 1970s, around 12,000 Victorians were of Indian birth.
In recent years, the Indian community in Australia has grown rapidly, driven largely by the tech sector and the country's demand for skilled migrants. Indians are now the second-largest migrant group in Australia, with over 710,000 Indians living in the country as of 2023. Indian students also form the second-largest cohort of foreign-born students in Australia, numbering 122,391 in September 2023.
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Indian culture in Australia
Indian culture has had a significant influence on Australia, with Indians being the country's fastest-growing migrant group. The Indian community in Australia is incredibly diverse, with people hailing from various parts of India and belonging to different religious, linguistic, and cultural groups.
History of Indian Immigration to Australia
During the 19th century, most Indian immigrants to Australia were labourers who accompanied British subjects from India, often working as hawkers and agricultural workers. The "White Australia Policy" implemented in the early 20th century restricted Indian immigration, except for British colonials from India. After India gained independence in 1947, there was an increase in British citizens of Indian origin migrating to Australia. Once the "White Australia Policy" was relaxed, a broader range of Indian professionals, including doctors and engineers, began arriving in Australia.
Indian Culture in Contemporary Australia
Today, Indians in Australia maintain their vibrant and diverse cultures through various organisations, events, and festivals. Religion continues to play an important role, with Hinduism being the fastest-growing religion in Australia, and Punjabi the fastest-growing language. The family is a central institution in Indian culture, with a collectivist emphasis on loyalty and interdependence. Indians are known for their hospitality, often offering guests a cup of chai (spiced tea).
Indian Associations and Cultural Organisations
There are numerous Indian associations and cultural organisations in Australia that promote Indian culture and provide a support network for the Indian community. These include religion-based organisations like the Hindu Council of Australia and the Sikh Council of Australia, as well as language-based groups such as the Punjabi Council of Australia and the Gujarati Samaj of NSW. These organisations play a crucial role in organising cultural events and promoting Indian culture in Australia.
Indian Students in Australia
Indian students also contribute significantly to the Indian community in Australia, with India being the second-largest source of international students. Over 19,000 Indian students are pursuing higher education in various universities across New South Wales and South Australia.
Embracing Diversity
Australia has recognised the importance of multiculturalism and is embracing its diversity. The 2015-2016 Victorian Budget included an investment of $21 million over four years, with $500,000 dedicated to building an Indian Cultural Precinct to celebrate Indian influences in the country.
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Australia-India collaborations
Australia and India have a long history of migration and collaboration. Indians are the second-largest migrant group in Australia, and their numbers are continuing to rise. The connection between the two nations dates back millions of years—a supercontinent called Gondwana once physically connected the two countries. Early Indian immigrants arrived in Australia in the 1800s as labourers or servants of British subjects. In the 1900s, a broader range of Indians began migrating, and their numbers significantly increased after the racist 'White Australia policy' was scrapped in 1973.
In recent years, Australia and India have collaborated across various sectors, including space, research, and trade. Underpinned by a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the two nations have strengthened their relationship through mutual cooperation. Australia and India are partners in the Quad Space Working Group alongside Japan and the United States, where they collaborate on sharing satellite data to address climate change, enhance disaster preparedness, and better manage the impact of extreme weather events within the Indo-Pacific region.
The Australian Space Agency has played a crucial role in advancing space collaborations between the two countries. In July, the Agency hosted the largest Indian space industry delegation at the 17th Australian Space Forum, which resulted in the exchange of multiple MoUs and Letters of Intent between Australian and Indian companies. Additionally, the Australian Government announced $18 million in funding for three collaborative space projects under the International Space Investment India (ISI) Projects program. One of these projects, the Space MAITRI mission, will see the development of Australia's largest spacecraft.
Research collaboration between Australia and India has also received a significant boost, with nearly $20 million in funding allocated to advance pandemic research and reduce plastic waste. $15 million will extend the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF), while an additional $4.5 million will support collaborative work led by CSIRO to reduce plastic waste. Furthermore, individual grants of $300,000–$600,000 are available for Australian research organisations to undertake collaborative research projects, with the Indian Government contributing a matching amount.
In the healthcare sector, Australian clinical trial companies have actively collaborated with big pharma companies in India, such as GlaxoSmithKline and Novartis. Medical technology companies like Muranex are also seeking Indian investments. Additionally, Indian and Australian companies have collaborated in the biotechnology and bioscience sectors, with universities from both countries engaging in joint research initiatives.
Overall, Australia and India have a strong and growing collaboration across various sectors, with migration and cultural ties further strengthening the relationship between the two nations.
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Frequently asked questions
Indians are the second-largest migrant group in Australia, with around 976,000 people in Australia with Indian heritage, according to the 2021 census. Indian Australians are said to experience a welcoming environment, with many opportunities for cultural exchange. However, Indian-Australians are underrepresented in politics, especially at the federal level.
Australia offers high-quality education, with many Indian students currently studying in the country. Indian students can also obtain a permit to work in Australia. There are also many Indian Associations that help the Indian community, including students, by organising cultural functions and offering mentorship.
Indian immigration to Australia began early in the history of the Australian colony. The first Indians arrived with the British, as seamen, marines, convicts, and their families. Indian migration increased after the White Australia Policy, which restricted non-white immigration, was scrapped in 1973. The real game-changer came in 2006 when the Australian government opened its doors to Indian students.
