Lexi Webster
Australia is a popular destination for Indian immigrants, with a growing Indian diaspora that is the second-largest migrant group in the country. Indian migration to Australia has a long history, dating back to the early days of the Australian colony, with the first Indians arriving alongside British settlers. After India's independence in 1947, a large wave of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia, and since then, various factors have drawn Indians to Australia, including its excellent universities, economic opportunities, and cultural attractions. However, there have also been tensions and challenges, with incidents of violence against Indian students and ongoing underrepresentation in politics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Indian diaspora in Australia | Second largest and fastest-growing |
| Indian students in Australia | 122,391 (Sep 2023) |
| Indian migration history | Early immigrants arrived in the 1800s as labourers or servants of British subjects |
| Migration policy | White Australia Policy (1901) restricted non-European immigration; scrapped in 1973 |
| Recent migration trends | Increase in students, academics, and professionals |
| Bilateral ties | Strengthened by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visits in 2014 and 2023 |
| Trade relations | India is Australia's seventh-biggest trading partner |
| Visa requirements | Student visas required for Indian students; various scholarship programs available |
| Multiculturalism | Australia is a melting pot of cultures, with over 27% of its population born overseas |
| Community | Indian associations/organizations, ethnic publications, Indian language programmes, and schools in major cities |
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What You'll Learn
Indian students in Australia
Indian immigration to Australia began early in the history of the Australian colony. Indian students form the second-largest cohort of foreign-born students in Australia. According to the 2021 census, there were 122,391 Indian students in Australia, though other sources place this figure at over 125,000. This makes Indian students the second-largest group of international students in Australia, from any country.
In 2023, there were concerns that Australia had joined the US and Canada in tightening immigration norms for Indian students, with several universities suspending visa applications from certain Indian states. However, the Australian government, the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, and the Association of Australian Education Representatives in India (AAERI) have all refuted these claims. The Australian High Commission emphasised the strong educational ties between the two nations, and the AAERI confirmed that Indian students are welcome and highly valued in Australia. The current student visa approval rate for Indian applicants is approximately 85%.
Historically, Indian migration to Australia was restricted by the 1901 Immigration Restriction Act, which was one of the first laws passed by the new Australian parliament. This law was the centrepiece of the White Australia Policy, which aimed to restrict immigration from Asia. However, after India gained independence from Britain in 1947, the number of Indian-born Anglo-western white British citizens emigrating to Australia increased. The next period of immigration from India began after 1966, with the influx of teachers, doctors, and other professionals from India. Large numbers of Indian software professionals began arriving in Australia in the 1980s.
Australia continues to be a safe, multicultural, and globally respected destination for higher education. Indian students benefit from high-quality education, extended post-study work rights, and special bilateral arrangements that support long-term career goals.
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History of Indian immigration to Australia
The history of Indian immigration to Australia is a long and complex one. According to some studies, Indian migration to Australia dates back to around 4,000 years ago, when the two countries were part of the same supercontinent called Gondwana. This migration may have contributed to the development of Australian Aboriginal culture, with up to 11% of Aboriginal Australians' DNA deriving from Indians.
The first wave of Indian migration to Australia during the colonial period took place in the 1800s, with Indians arriving as labourers, domestic workers, or servants of British subjects moving from India. During this period, the British also took Indians to other colonies, such as South Africa, Mauritius, and Fiji. This migration continued until the early 1900s, when the White Australia policy was enacted, restricting immigration from non-European countries. This policy, which was in place from 1901 until the early 1970s, effectively halted Indian migration to Australia, with only a small number of merchants and students allowed to enter the country.
In the post-World War II period, immigration restrictions began to be gradually lifted, and the number of Indian migrants to Australia slowly increased. This was partly due to the increasing demand for skilled, white-collar workers in Australia's growing economy. During this time, Indian migration to Australia was primarily driven by the tech sector and other skilled professions such as medicine and academia.
In recent years, the Indian immigrant community in Australia has continued to grow and thrive. According to the 2011 Australian census, there were nearly 400,000 people of Indian origin living in the country, making them the second-largest migrant group. Indian Australians are well-represented across various sectors, including politics, business, and academia, and have made significant contributions to the country's cultural and economic landscape.
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Indian-Australians in politics
Indian immigration to Australia began with the British colonisation of the continent. The first Indians arrived in Australia with the British settlers who had been living in India. The first British fleet to establish a new colony, which landed on 26 January 1788, included seamen, marines, government officials, and convicts, including women and children. From the 1860s to 1900, small groups of cameleers, commonly referred to as "Afghans" or "Ghans", were shipped in and out of Australia to service South Australia's inland pastoral industry. The majority of these cameleers, including Indian cameleers, were Muslims, with a sizeable minority of Sikhs from the Punjab region. They set up camel-breeding stations and rest houses throughout inland Australia, creating a permanent link between the coastal cities and the remote cattle and sheep grazing stations.
After the 1901 Immigration Restriction Act was introduced by the Australian Government, the migration of non-white migrants from India was curtailed. However, following India's independence from Britain in 1947, the number of Indian-born Anglo-western white British citizens emigrating to Australia increased, along with the migration of mixed-race European-Indians. The next period of immigration from India began after 1966, with the influx of teachers, doctors, and other professionals from India. Large numbers of Indian software professionals began arriving in Australia in the 1980s.
Despite this long history of Indian immigration to Australia, Indian-Australians have been underrepresented in positions of leadership in business and politics. Australia lags behind the US, Canada, and the UK, which have made significant headway with their respective Indian diaspora in leadership positions. However, recent developments indicate a positive change in the representation of Indian-Australians in Australian politics. In the recent New South Wales state election and change of government, Indian-Australian MP Daniel Mookhey was elevated to treasurer, becoming 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 to be elected to NSW parliament.
While these developments reflect the image of a more modern Australia, there is still a long way to go in terms of representation at the business, political, government, and university levels. The 2021 Board Diversity Index found that it would take 18 years for ASX 300 boardrooms to reflect Australian cultural diversity. Without senior leadership opportunities, diaspora talent will become disengaged and look to move to other countries. The Indian diaspora in the United States makes up a significantly lower percentage of the population compared to that of Australia, yet Indians in the US have risen to influential leadership positions and have added significant value to the US economic and cultural fabric.
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Indian culture in Australia
Indian culture has had a significant influence on Australia, with Indian immigrants contributing to the country's diversity and cultural landscape. Indian immigration to Australia has a long history, dating back to the early days of the Australian colony. The first Indians arrived in Australia alongside the British settlers who had previously lived in India. Over time, various waves of Indian immigrants, including labourers, professionals, and students, have enriched Australia's cultural fabric.
Historical Presence of Indians in Australia
Indian immigration from British India to Australia began early in the history of the Australian colony. The first Indians are recorded to have arrived with the British fleet that landed on January 26, 1788, and included seamen, marines, government officials, convicts, and their families. From the 1860s to 1900, small groups of cameleers, often referred to as "Afghans" or "Ghans," were shipped to Australia to service the pastoral industry. These cameleers, many of whom were Indian Muslims and Sikhs from Punjab, played a vital role in transport and communication until the 1930s.
During the 19th century, most Indian immigrants to Australia were labourers recruited by the British Government. Many settled in northern New South Wales as agricultural labourers, hawkers, or traders. A small group of Indians also arrived in Australia between 1800 and 1816 as convict labourers sent by British colonial authorities.
Impact of Australian Policies
The enactment of the 1901 Immigration Restriction Act, also known as the White Australia Policy, significantly curtailed Indian immigration. This policy aimed to restrict non-European immigration, particularly from Asia. However, after India gained independence in 1947, there was an increase in the migration of Anglo-Indians and other mixed-race European-Indians to Australia.
Contemporary Indian Migration and Influence
The Indian community in Australia is now one of the fastest-growing migrant groups, with Indians constituting the second-largest migrant group in 2023. According to the 2021 census, about 976,000 people in Australia trace their ancestry to India. Indians are spread across all states and major cities, where they have established associations, organisations, and cultural events that celebrate Indian culture.
Indian migration to Australia in recent decades has been characterised by skilled migration, with many Indians working in sectors like software, programming, medicine, and engineering. International students from India also contribute significantly to the Indian community in Australia, with Indian students forming the second-largest cohort of foreign-born students. Hinduism is Australia's fastest-growing religion, and Punjabi is the fastest-growing language.
The influence of Indian culture can be seen in the establishment of Indian language schools, dance schools, and ethnic publications. Additionally, the 2015-2016 Victorian Budget reflected a strong focus on multiculturalism, including an investment of $500,000 towards building an Indian Cultural Precinct in Victoria.
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Australia's visa process for Indian immigrants
Australia has a varied visa process, with different types of visas available for Indian immigrants depending on their purpose of visit. The country's visa regulations and application charges are subject to change, so applicants are advised to check for the latest information.
One option is the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) visa (subclass 601), which allows multiple visits to Australia for up to a year, with each stay lasting no longer than three months. This visa is available to passport holders from several countries, including India, and the application must be made through the Australian ETA app. A live facial image is required as part of the application process, and applicants must be physically present for this step.
Another option is the eVisitor (subclass 651) visa, which is specifically for tourism or business purposes and allows multiple entries to Australia for up to three months within a 12-month period. This visa is free and available to passport holders from select European countries.
For longer stays, there is the Visitor visa (subclass 600), which can be used for tourism or business purposes. This visa can grant stays of up to 12 months under certain circumstances. Applicants must pay a fee to submit their application and can apply online by creating an ImmiAccount. It is recommended to apply well in advance of the intended travel date to allow for processing time.
Additionally, Australia offers a Working Holiday Maker program for individuals under 30 (or 35 in certain cases) from participating countries, including India. This working holiday visa is valid for one year and can be extended to three years if certain conditions are met.
Indian immigration to Australia has a long history, dating back to the early days of the Australian colony. Indian cameleers, known as "Afghans" or "Ghans," played a significant role in the country's pastoral industry in the late 19th century. However, from 1901 until the 1960s, immigration of non-Europeans, including Indians, was restricted due to the White Australia policy. After India gained independence in 1947, a significant number of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia, and the country has since seen an influx of Indian professionals, including software experts, teachers, and doctors. Today, there is a rapidly growing Indian community in Australia, with approximately 976,000 people of Indian ancestry according to the 2021 census.
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Frequently asked questions
Indians are the second-largest migrant group in Australia, with about 976,000 people of Indian ancestry as of the 2021 census. Indian students, numbering 122,391 as of September 2023, form the second-largest cohort of foreign-born students in Australia.
Australia is a multicultural country with a thriving Indian community. Indian diaspora is the second largest and fastest-growing diaspora in Australia. There are Indian associations/organizations in all states and major cities, as well as Indian language programmes on radio, Indian language schools, and Indian dance schools in all major cities. Indian culture is also influencing Australian society, with Bollywood music, Indian restaurants, and Indian adornments becoming more common. However, there have been reports of violent attacks on Indian students in Sydney and Melbourne, and Indian-Australians are underrepresented in politics.
Many Indians are drawn to Australia for its excellent universities, attractive scholarship programs, impressive economic infrastructure, climate, culture, and unique wildlife and environment. The COVID pandemic also played a role, as Australia reopened its borders to international students earlier than some other countries. Additionally, increased diplomatic ties and bilateral trade agreements between India and Australia have made it easier for students, academics, and professionals to travel and work in both countries.
Indian immigration to Australia dates back to the early history of the Australian colony, with the first Indians arriving alongside British settlers in 1788. During the 19th century, most Indians who arrived in Australia were recruited as labourers by the British government. After 1901, immigration of non-white migrants from India was curtailed due to the White Australia Policy. Following India's independence in 1947, a large number of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia, and the next period of immigration began after 1966 with the influx of teachers, doctors, and other professionals from India.
