Lexi Webster
Indian Australians or Indo-Australians are Australians of Indian ancestry, including those born in Australia and those born in India or elsewhere in the Indian diaspora. Indian Australians are one of the largest groups within the Indian diaspora, with 783,958 people declaring Indian ancestry in the 2021 census, representing 3.1% of the Australian population. In 2024, Australia's population included 8.6 million people born overseas, with India being one of the countries of birth with the largest populations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Indian population in Australia | 783,958 (2021 census) |
| Percentage of Australian population | 3.1% |
| Median age | 34 years (youngest average age) |
| Indian students in Australia | 70,000 (2017-18) / 120,000 (2024) |
| Indian population as a percentage of overseas-born population in Australia | 31.5% (2024) |
| Indian population as a source of new permanent annual migrants to Australia | 20.5% (2017-18) |
| Languages spoken | Hindi (0.7%), Punjabi (0.6%) |
| Religions | Buddhist (2.4%), Hindu (1.9%), Sikh (0.5%) |
| Education level | 54.6% with a bachelor's degree or higher |
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What You'll Learn
Indian immigration history in Australia
As of 2023, Indians comprise one of the largest immigrant groups in Australia, with a population of approximately 721,000 people, or 2.8% of the country's population. This number has seen steady growth over the decades, with Indian immigration to Australia having a long and complex history that dates back to the 19th century.
The earliest records of Indians in Australia go back to the British colonial era, when a small number of Indian lascars (sailors) and merchants arrived in the late 1700s and early 1800s. However, significant Indian migration to Australia began in the 1830s, with the arrival of camel drivers from Punjab and Afghanistan, who became known as 'Afghan Cameleers'. These cameleers played a crucial role in exploring and opening up the vast Australian interior, providing transport and supplies to remote settlements and helping to build infrastructure.
From the 1850s onwards, a larger wave of Indian immigrants arrived, primarily from the Punjab region, to work on agricultural projects and as laborers in the booming Australian gold rush. Many of these early Indian immigrants faced discrimination and were often subjected to the White Australia Policy, which was a series of racially-motivated policies that aimed to restrict non-white immigration to Australia and promote European settlement. Despite these challenges, the Indian community in Australia slowly grew and established itself, with the first Indian restaurant opening in Sydney in 1868, and the construction of the country's first Sikh temple in 1904.
Post-World War II, Australia's immigration policies began to change, and the country sought to increase its population and encourage skilled migration. This led to the gradual relaxation of restrictions on non-white immigrants, and in 1973, the White Australia Policy was officially abolished. This marked a turning point for Indian immigration, as the country became a more welcoming and attractive prospect for Indian students, skilled workers, and families seeking a better life.
The late 20th and early 21st centuries saw a significant surge in Indian migration to Australia, with the country's strong economy, high quality of life, and education system proving attractive. Many Indians migrated under the skilled migration program, bringing their professional expertise to contribute to Australia's growing economy. Additionally, a large number of Indian students chose Australia as a preferred destination for higher education, with Indian students forming one of the largest cohorts in Australian universities today.
Today, Indians in Australia have made significant contributions across various sectors, including business, science, technology, arts, and politics. They have enriched the cultural landscape, with Indian festivals like Diwali and cultural events celebrated widely across the country. Indian cuisine, fashion, and entertainment have also become an integral part of Australia's multicultural society, reflecting the strong bonds and positive relations between the two nations.
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Indian students in Australia
Australia has become one of the preferred destinations for Indian students pursuing higher studies or gaining vocational skills. In 2024, there were 139,038 Indian students in Australia, making India the second-largest source country for international student enrolments in Australia. This number has continued to increase, with over 130,000 Indian students enrolled in Australian universities in 2025.
There are several reasons why Australia is a popular choice for Indian students. Firstly, Australian universities have high global rankings, and the country offers a safe and welcoming environment for international students. Secondly, Australia has a liberal post-study work system, allowing Indian students to stay and work in the country for up to four years after completing their degrees. This is especially appealing given the restrictive policies implemented by other countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, which have tightened their immigration and student visa rules. The Australian government also organised the 'Festival of Australia' in several Indian cities in 2025 to promote educational ties between the two countries.
The large Indian student population in Australia has led to the development of Indian associations and cultural functions, where students can connect with the Indian community and seek mentorship from senior Indians. Additionally, there are partnerships between Australian and Indian institutions, allowing students to obtain degrees from both countries. Australian universities also provide guidelines and resources for Indian students, covering topics such as accommodation, transport, government services, security, and student rights.
Despite the popularity of Australia as a study destination for Indians, there have been political debates around immigration policies and student intake caps. However, the Australian government has denied implementing a ban on Indian student applications, emphasising the value they place on Indian students and their contributions to the country's classrooms and society.
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Indian languages in Australia
Indian Australians or Indo-Australians refer to Australians of Indian ancestry, including those born in Australia and those born in India or elsewhere in the Indian diaspora. According to the 2021 census, 783,958 people identified as having Indian ancestry, representing 3.1% of the Australian population. Indians are the fastest-growing community in Australia, both in absolute numbers and percentages.
The history of Indian immigration to Australia dates back to the early days of the Australian colony. The first Indians arrived alongside the British settlers in 1788, including convicts and their families, government officials, and seamen and marines. Indian immigration continued in the 19th century, with Indians recruited as labourers, agricultural workers, and traders. After India's independence in 1947, there was an increase in Indian migration to Australia, particularly among Anglo-Indians.
Today, Indian languages are widely spoken in Australia, reflecting the diverse Indian community in the country. The most commonly spoken Indian languages in Australia include Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, and Kannada. Hindi is the top Indian language spoken at home in Australia, with 0.7% of the total population speaking it, followed by Punjabi at 0.6%. Other Indian languages spoken in Australia include Urdu, Bengali, Konkani, Tulu, and Oriya.
The presence of Indian languages in Australia has contributed to a rich cultural landscape, with Indian language programmes on radio, Indian language schools, and Indian dance schools in major cities. The increase in Indian languages coincides with a decline in the number of people speaking only English at home, as Australia becomes increasingly multicultural.
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Indian religions in Australia
Australia has a diverse range of religions, with Christianity being the most common, followed by those who declared "no religion". Australia has no official religion, and its constitution ensures freedom of religion. The religious profile of Australia has been shaped by waves of migration, with Hinduism being the third-largest religion in the country, after various denominations of Christianity and Islam. In the 2021 Census, 43.9% of Australians identified with Christianity, 38.9% declared "no religion", and 2.7% of the population followed the Hindu faith.
The first Indian immigrants to Australia are believed to have arrived in the early 19th century, with the British colonial authorities sending a small group of Indians as convict labourers. During the first 60 years of the 19th century, most of the Indians who arrived in Australia were recruited as labourers by the British government and later settled down in the country. In the last four decades of the 19th century, many Indians, particularly Sikhs and Muslims from Punjab, settled on the northern coast of New South Wales as agricultural labourers, hawkers, or traders.
In the 2016 Census, among Indian-origin religions, 2.4% of the total population (563,700 people) followed Buddhism, 1.9% (440,300) were Hindus, and 0.5% (125,900) were Sikhs. Since the 1970s, New South Wales (NSW) and Victoria have had higher proportions of religious affiliation with Hinduism than other states and territories. From 2016 to 2021, the proportion of people who followed Hinduism in Tasmania increased from 0.5% to 1.7% of the population, with most being Nepalese and Indian migrants.
In recent years, there has been an increase in the Islamic population in Australia, with almost 126,000 people who arrived between 2016 and 2021 affiliating with Islam. The main countries of birth for these individuals were Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, and Bangladesh. While the number of people who identify as Muslim is relatively small in comparison to other religions, it is growing, particularly in certain states like Tasmania, which has seen the highest growth rate in Islamic affiliation since 2016.
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Australia-India economic ties
Australia and India have a strong economic relationship, with the Indian Australian community playing a significant role in strengthening bilateral relations. The two countries have a shared history, with Indian explorers settling in Australia around 4,000 years before the First Fleet's arrival in 1788.
In recent years, the India-Australia relationship has witnessed exponential growth, with expanding economic engagement and increasing high-level interactions. The Australian government has recognised the potential of the Indian economy, which is on track to become the world's third-largest by 2030, and has taken steps to boost two-way investment and trade opportunities.
The Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), which came into force in December 2022, has been instrumental in enhancing economic ties. The agreement has eliminated tariffs on over 85% of Australian goods exports to India, with further reductions in high tariffs on agricultural products. This has resulted in significant savings for Australian businesses and consumers, reducing costs and creating local jobs.
To further strengthen economic ties, the Australian government has launched the 'New Roadmap for Australia's Economic Engagement with India', which aims to maximise trade opportunities, secure supply chains, and create jobs. The roadmap identifies four key sectors for growth: clean energy, education and skills, agribusiness, and tourism. Additionally, it outlines nearly 50 specific opportunities to accelerate engagement in areas such as defence industries, sports, culture, space, and technology.
The Australian government has also invested $16 million in the Australia-India Trade and Investment Accelerator Fund to help Australian businesses explore new commercial opportunities in India. Furthermore, the Maitri ('friendship') Grants program has received an additional $4 million investment to enhance people-to-people, business-to-business, and cultural links between the two countries.
Various institutional dialogue mechanisms, such as the Joint Trade & Commerce Ministerial Commission and the India-Australia Economic Policy Dialogue, provide a platform for ongoing discussions and cooperation between India and Australia, ensuring the continued growth and development of their economic relationship.
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Frequently asked questions
As of the 2021 census, 783,958 people of Indian ancestry resided in Australia, representing 3.1% of the total population.
As of June 2024, 31.5% of Australia's population was born outside of the country, with 8.6 million people.
Indian migration to Australia has a long history, with Indian explorers settling in Australia and assimilating into the local population around 4,000 years before the First Fleet's arrival in 1788. During the British colonial period, Indians were sent to Australia as convict labourers and recruited as labourers by the British Government. After India's independence in 1947, a large wave of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia, and from the 1980s onwards, large numbers of Indian software professionals began arriving.
Indians in Australia are the most highly educated migrant group, with 54.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, more than three times the national average. Additionally, there are approximately 120,000 Indian students studying in Australian universities and colleges.
India is Australia's sixth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at $48 billion AUD in 2022. Australia is also partnering with India in various sectors, including agriculture, education, and sustainable water management.
