Lexi Webster
Indian Australians are Australians with Indian heritage. Indian crews from the Bay of Bengal first came to Australia on trading ships in 1788, and Indians also came to Australia during the Victorian gold rush. Indian Australians have long been subjected to racism and discrimination in Australia, and the community faced a series of savage attacks in 2009-2010. However, the Indian community in Australia is now the country's second-largest and fastest-growing overseas group, and the two countries have been deepening their connections in recent years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Migration history | Indian crews from the Bay of Bengal came to Australia on trading ships in 1788. |
| After India's independence in 1947, a large number of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia. | |
| Australia is currently witnessing a significant rise in its Indian diaspora. | |
| Indian students in Australia number around 120,000. | |
| Political representation | Indian Australians are underrepresented in politics, especially at the federal level. |
| The recently elected New South Wales government includes four politicians of Indian origin. | |
| Economy and trade | India is Australia's sixth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at $48 billion AUD in 2022. |
| The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) has eliminated tariffs on critical minerals for solar panels, electric cars, etc. | |
| Australia and India have signed agreements to strengthen economic cooperation, education, and bilateral trade. | |
| Racism and discrimination | Indian Australians have long been subjected to racism and discrimination. |
| They have experienced high levels of "subtle racism" and savage attacks, as in the case of the 2009-2010 Melbourne student attacks. | |
| The Australian government's travel ban during the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately impacted Indian Australians. | |
| Cultural influence | Indian Australians are trying to make Australia more inclusive by educating people about their culture and heritage. |
| Indian classical dances like Kathak and Bharatnatyam are gaining popularity in Australia. |
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What You'll Learn
- Indian-Australians are Australia's second-largest and fastest-growing overseas group
- Indian migration to Australia increased after India's independence in 1947
- Indian-Australians have long been subjected to racism and discrimination
- Indian-Australians are entering politics, business, and other sectors
- Australia and India have strengthened their bilateral ties and trade relations
Indian-Australians are Australia's second-largest and fastest-growing overseas group
Indian Australians are Australia's second-largest and fastest-growing overseas group. About four per cent of Australia's population is of Indian origin, and between 2011 and 2021, the number of Indians in Australia doubled.
The history of Indian Australians goes back to the late 18th century when Indian crews from the Bay of Bengal arrived in Australia on trading ships. After the British established the first European colony in Sydney in 1788, Indian convicts made up one per cent of the 164,000 convicts transported to the Australian colonies. During World War I, Indian and Australian troops fought alongside each other, and Australian nurses staffed British colonial hospitals in India. After World War II and India's independence in 1947, a large number of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia.
Today, Indian Australians are well-represented in various sectors, including politics, business, and the creative industries. They have also contributed significantly to Australia's economy, particularly in trade, education, and research collaborations. For instance, India is Australia's sixth-largest trading partner, with two-way trade valued at $48 billion in 2022. The recent Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) has further strengthened economic ties between the two countries.
Despite their growing numbers and influence, Indian Australians have faced racism and discrimination. They have often been subjected to "subtle racism" and negative perceptions, as well as more violent incidents, such as the attacks on Indian students in Melbourne in 2009-2010. However, the younger generation of Indian Australians is working to make the country a more inclusive and welcoming place by educating people about their culture and heritage.
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Indian migration to Australia increased after India's independence in 1947
Indian Australians or Indo-Australians are Australians of Indian ancestry. This includes people who are Australian by birth as well as 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 persons declaring Indian ancestry at the 2021 census, representing 3.1% of the Australian population.
The history of Indian migration to Australia dates back to the 18th century, when Indian sepoys and lascars (soldiers and sailors) were aboard visiting European ships. In 1788, Indian crews from the Bay of Bengal arrived in Australia on trading ships. Indians also participated in the Victorian gold rush and worked on banana plantations in Southern Queensland.
However, Indian migration to Australia was significantly curtailed by the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901, which aimed to restrict non-white immigration from Asia. This act was part of the White Australia Policy, which remained in place until 1973.
After India gained independence from Britain in 1947, there was an increase in the number of Indian-born Anglo-western white British citizens and mixed-race European-Indians migrating to Australia. This marked the beginning of a significant phase of South Asian migration to Australia, with migrants arriving from India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Over time, the Indian-born community in Australia has grown and become more culturally diverse. By the late 1970s, around 12,000 India-born people lived in Victoria, and this number had increased to 169,804 by 2016. As of 2016, Indians were the most highly educated migrant group in Australia, with 54.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher.
Today, Indian Australians are well-represented across various sectors, including politics, business, and the creative arts. They are also the youngest average age (34 years old) and the fastest-growing community in Australia. Bilateral ties between India and Australia have strengthened in recent years, with increased collaboration in areas such as defence, security, economic cooperation, education, and bilateral trade.
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Indian-Australians have long been subjected to racism and discrimination
Indian Australians refer to people of Indian origin residing in Australia. The Indian community in Australia has a long history, with Indian crews from the Bay of Bengal arriving in Australia on trading ships in 1788. Indians also took part in the Victorian gold rush and worked on banana plantations in Southern Queensland. After India gained independence in 1947, a large number of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia.
Despite their long history in Australia, Indian Australians have faced significant racism and discrimination. In 2010, there were media reports of Indians facing racism in Australia, with investigative reporter Andrew Marantz from Mother Jones magazine finding widespread Indian stereotyping of Australians during his research. From 2004 to 2009, the number of Indian students in Australia rose significantly, with many seeking permanent residency and citizenship. However, during this period, there were reports of Indian students facing discrimination and exploitation in housing and jobs. In 2009, over 4,000 Indian students protested against attacks motivated by racism, expressing their concerns that the Australian government was not adequately addressing the issue.
In recent years, Indian residents have become the second-largest group of overseas-born migrants in Australia, surpassing New Zealand-born and China-born migrants. Despite their increasing numbers and growing political voice, Indian Australians still face challenges in being heard and represented in the mainstream Australian public sphere. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian government imposed a travel ban on flights from India, which was criticised by the Indian-Australian community as punitive and putting Australian citizens at risk.
While there have been some improvements, with Indian Australians now represented in various sectors and politics, they continue to be underrepresented, especially at the federal level. Indian Australians have also taken initiatives to make Australia more inclusive by educating people about their culture and heritage. Despite these efforts, Indian Australians still face racism and discrimination, with some reporting that they feel singled out.
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Indian-Australians are entering politics, business, and other sectors
Indian-Australians are the country's fastest-growing diaspora, with Indian-born residents in Australia quadrupling between 2006 and 2020. They are active across various sectors, including business, politics, the judiciary, government, civil society, academia, science, the arts, and sports. Indian-Australians are also well-represented in the fields of media and entertainment, with individuals such as Rowi Singh, an Indian-Australian makeup influencer celebrating her South Asian heritage, and Divya Saxena, a dancer and choreographer, showcasing their talents and contributing to the cultural landscape.
In politics, Indian-Australians have made significant strides. In the recent New South Wales (NSW) state election, four Indian-Australians were elected to the state parliament, and two were appointed to the cabinet. Daniel Mookhey became the first Indian-Australian treasurer of NSW and the first MP in Australia's history to take the oath on the Bhagavad Gita. Pru Car, of Indian origin, became the deputy premier of NSW, and Charishma Kaliyanda became the first Indian-born Australian elected to the NSW parliament. These achievements reflect a shift towards greater cultural diversity in Australian leadership.
However, despite these advancements, Indian-Australians continue to be underrepresented in positions of leadership across various sectors, including business and politics. Australia lags behind countries like the US, Canada, and the UK, which have made more significant progress in this regard. The representation of cultural diversity in boardrooms, university chanceries, and other corridors of power remains low, with 97% of chief executives in Australia identified as Anglo-Celtic or European.
To address this issue, comprehensive data collection on cultural diversity leadership is essential to assess and improve Australia's standing as an inclusive, modern, and multicultural country. Supporters of immigration from Asian and South Asian countries argue that it brings much-needed multiculturalism to Australian society and contributes to economic growth. The strengthening of bilateral ties between India and Australia, through initiatives like the 2023 migration deal, is expected to further enhance the presence and impact of Indian-Australians across various sectors.
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Australia and India have strengthened their bilateral ties and trade relations
Australia and India have a long history of cooperation, with Indian crews from the Bay of Bengal arriving in Australia on trading ships as early as 1788. Indian and Australian troops fought together during World War I in sectors including Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Egypt and Turkey. During World War II, hundreds of Australians served alongside British units in India and Burma, and in the Royal Australian Navy.
In recent years, the two countries have taken steps to strengthen their bilateral ties and trade relations. Australia has placed India at the forefront of its international partnerships, and India is now Australia's sixth-largest trading partner. Bilateral trade between the two countries has increased significantly, registering a growth of 41% from 2021 to 2022. Major exports from Australia to India include coal, copper and gold, while India's exports to Australia include refined petroleum, medicaments, pearls and gems.
The Australia-India Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC), established in 1989, provides a forum for trade ministers from both countries to meet regularly and discuss ways to advance their economic relationship. The Australia-India CEO Forum, established in 2011, also brings together business leaders from both nations to build bilateral trade and investment relationships.
In addition to trade, Australia and India have strengthened their cooperation in other areas. The Australia-India Council (AIC), established in 1992, aims to deepen bilateral relations through cultural exchanges and mutual understanding. The two countries also have a strong education partnership, with the Australia-India Education and Skills Council (AIESC) facilitating dialogue on strategic education, skills and research policy. In 2023, Australia and India signed a Mutual Recognition of Qualifications mechanism, making it easier for students to access higher education in both countries.
The Indian community in Australia, the second-largest and fastest-growing overseas-born group, plays a vital role in strengthening bilateral ties. Indian-Australians are active in various sectors, including politics, business, and the arts, and are working to make Australia a more inclusive and welcoming place for future generations.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian Indians are people of Indian origin living in Australia. They are Australia's second-largest and fastest-growing overseas group, with four percent of Australia's population being of Indian origin.
Indians have been present in Australia since the late 1700s, when Indian crews from the Bay of Bengal came to Australia on trading ships. In the 1800s, Indians participated in the gold rush in the Victorian gold fields, and some Sikhs came to work on banana plantations in Southern Queensland. After India gained independence in 1947, a large number of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia. Today, Indian Australians are well-represented in various sectors, including politics, business, and the creative arts.
Australian Indians have historically faced racism and discrimination in Australia. They have been subjected to "subtle racism" in their everyday lives, and there have also been more violent incidents, such as the attacks on Indian students in Melbourne in 2009-2010. Australian Indians have also been affected by the Australian government's travel ban during the COVID-19 pandemic, which some critics have called racist. However, Indian Australians are working to increase their political voice and make Australia a more inclusive and welcoming place for future generations.
