Damon Mcknight
Indian Australians are the second-largest migrant group in Australia, with a population of over 700,000 as of 2022, and they are one of the fastest-growing migrant communities in the country. Indians have been migrating to Australia since the 1800s, initially as labourers or servants, and the country has witnessed several waves of Indian migration over the past two centuries. So, where do Indian migrants settle in Australia?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Indian-born population in Australia | 753,520 as of June 2022 |
| Indian-born population as a percentage of Australia's population | 1.9% or 455,389 (as of 2016) |
| Indian-born population as a percentage of the population in Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne | 3-4% |
| Indian-born population as a percentage of the population in Brisbane and Adelaide | 2% |
| Indian-born population growth rate | 10.7% per annum between 2006 and 2016 |
| Indian-born population rank among migrant communities in Australia | 4th largest as of 2016, 2nd largest as of 2022 |
| Indian-born population's median income | Higher than that of overseas-born, Australian-born, and national populations |
| Indian-born population's bachelor's degree or higher attainment rate | 58% (compared to 22% for the wider Australian community) |
| Indian-born population's employment rate | 88% (61% in full-time work, 27% in part-time work) |
| Indian-born population's Australian citizenship rate | 48% |
| Indian-born students as a percentage of the non-citizen resident population | 1/3 |
| Indian-born population's tax contribution | $7.9 billion in 2011-2012, $11.9 billion in 2013-2014 |
| Indian-born population's expected size by 2031 | 1.4 million |
| Indian-born population concentration | Suburbs of Docklands, Footscray, Sunshine, Truganina, Tarneit, and Pakenham in Melbourne; Parramatta, Harris Park, and Westmead in Sydney |
| Indian-born population's primary motivation for migration | Lucrative employment, top-tier education, and a more laid-back lifestyle |
| Indian-born population's fields of work | Tech, medicine, engineering, business, IT, renewable energy, mining, artificial intelligence, financial technology, and agricultural technology |
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What You'll Learn
- Indian migrants are the largest ethnic group in Melbourne and Adelaide
- They are the fourth-largest group in Brisbane
- Indians are expected to become the second-largest migrant community in Sydney
- They settled in Australia as early as the 1800s as labourers
- The Migration Act of 1966 allowed more Indians to migrate to Australia
Indian migrants are the largest ethnic group in Melbourne and Adelaide
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. Indians are the largest migrant ethnic group in Melbourne and Adelaide, the fourth-largest in Brisbane, and are likely to become the second-largest group in Sydney. Melbourne's statistical division has grown by about 50,000 to 70,000 people annually since 2003, with the city attracting 48,000 international immigrants until 2020, outpacing Sydney.
Melbourne has a large migrant population, with areas dedicated to international cuisines, including Indian. Suburbs such as Docklands, Footscray, Sunshine, Truganina, Tarneit, and Pakenham have a higher concentration of Indians, especially students. Melbourne also has a large Sikh community, with 125,000 adherents according to the 2016 census, and the largest Sikh communities are situated on the Eastern Seaboard, including Melbourne.
Adelaide also has a significant Indian population, with Indians being the largest migrant ethnic group in the city. Adelaide, like Melbourne, also has a notable Sikh population, with the Eastern Seaboard, where Adelaide is located, home to the largest Sikh communities.
The history of Indian migration to Australia dates back to the 1800s, with Indians arriving as indentured labourers and convicts. After World War II, the end of the White Australia policy, and India's independence in 1947, a large number of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia, and by 2016, over 2 in every 3 migrants were skilled professionals from countries including India. Indians in Australia are predominantly male, and they are the most educated migrant group, with 54.6% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, more than three times the national average.
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They are the fourth-largest group in Brisbane
Indian Australians are one of the largest groups within the Indian diaspora. In 2021, 783,958 people identified as having Indian ancestry, representing 3.1% of the Australian population. Indians are the largest migrant group in Melbourne and Adelaide, the fourth-largest in Brisbane, and the third-largest in Sydney.
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, a state in Australia. Queensland is the third-most populous state in Australia, with 4,703,193 people counted in the 2016 census. Brisbane is the most populous city in Queensland, with 2,274,560 residents in 2014. The greater Brisbane area includes other significant urban centres such as Ipswich, Logan City, and Redcliffe. The Brisbane metropolitan area extends in all directions along the floodplain of the Brisbane River Valley from Moreton Bay in the east to the foothills of the D'Aguilar and McPherson mountain ranges in the west.
Brisbane is a popular destination for Indian migrants due to its strong economy, job opportunities, and high quality of life. The city has a diverse range of industries, including financial services, information technology, tourism, and manufacturing. Brisbane also has a thriving cultural scene, with many museums, art galleries, theatres, and festivals. The city's pleasant climate and proximity to popular tourist destinations, such as the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, also make it an attractive place to live.
Indian migrants in Brisbane tend to concentrate in certain suburbs, creating vibrant and close-knit communities. These suburbs often have higher concentrations of students, reflecting the trend of Indian migrants pursuing higher education in Australia. Brisbane has a well-established Indian community with various associations, organisations, and cultural offerings. These include Indian language programmes on radio and television, Indian language schools, and Indian dance schools.
In conclusion, Indian Australians have a significant presence in Brisbane, making them the fourth-largest migrant group in the city. Brisbane offers a range of opportunities and attractions for Indian migrants, contributing to the diverse and dynamic nature of the city's population.
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Indians are expected to become the second-largest migrant community in Sydney
Indian Australians have a long history in the country, dating back to the early 19th century when they were brought over as indentured labourers. In the 1830s, Indians started arriving in greater numbers to fill the demand for manual labour, particularly in New South Wales. Many settled on the northern coast of New South Wales as agricultural labourers, while others worked as hawkers or traders. Some Indians from Punjab and the North West Frontier Province also ran 'camel trains', which were the primary mode of transport into the Australian interior before the development of road and rail networks.
After India gained independence from Britain in 1947, there was an increase in the number of Indian-born Anglo-western white British citizens emigrating to Australia, along with mixed-race European-Indians. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that Indian migration to Australia truly surged, with large numbers of Indian software professionals, teachers, doctors, and other professionals making the move.
By 2016, Indians had become the second-largest group of migrants in Australia, with 163,000 people, according to the Australian Census. This trend continued, and by 2024, India was the largest source of skilled migrants, with an additional 505,000 people entering Australia in the decade from 2014 to 2024.
In Sydney specifically, Indians are expected to jump from the third-largest migrant community to the second-largest by 2021. Suburbs like Parramatta, Harris Park, and Westmead have a higher concentration of Indian migrants. The growth in the Indian community in Sydney is evident from the ninefold increase in the number of Indians between 2017 and 2019, as well as the explosion in the number of overseas student visas and post-study work visas during this period.
The increasing Indian migration to Australia is attributed to several factors, including India's large population, skilled workforce, and the high demand for international education. Annathurai Gnanasambandam, director of Visa Help Australia, highlights that "India’s demographics, coupled with its skilled workforce and a high demand for international education, have made Australia a preferred destination."
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They settled in Australia as early as the 1800s as labourers
Indian migration to Australia began as early as the 1800s, with Indian convicts being sent to Australia as labourers by British colonial authorities. Throughout the first 60 years of the 19th century, most Indians migrating to Australia continued to be recruited as labourers, particularly in agriculture. This was due to the increasing demand for foreign labour in Australia, as a result of the abolition of penal transportation to New South Wales in 1840.
In the 1830s and 1840s, Australia was receiving more free settlers, but there was still a huge labour shortage. Indian migrants filled this gap, working as farm labourers on cane fields and as shepherds on sheep stations. They also worked as domestic workers, agricultural labourers, hawkers, and traders. Notably, some Indians from the Punjab and North West Frontier Province ran 'camel trains', which were the primary mode of transport into the interior of Australia before the development of road and rail networks.
By the 1850s, some Indians had established themselves and their businesses in Australia. For example, a Hindu Sindhi merchant, Shri Pammull, built a family opal trade in Melbourne in the 1850s, which continues to this day through his descendants.
In the early 20th century, there were around 6500-7000 Indians in Australia. After World War II, the end of the White Australia policy, and India's independence in 1947, a large number of Anglo-Indians migrated to Australia, with many being skilled professionals such as teachers, doctors, and software professionals. By 2016, over 2 in every 3 migrants from India were skilled professionals. Today, Indians are the largest migrant group in Melbourne and Adelaide, the fourth-largest in Brisbane, and are projected to be the second-largest in Sydney by 2021.
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The Migration Act of 1966 allowed more Indians to migrate to Australia
The Migration Act of 1966 was a significant turning point in Australia's history, as it marked the end of the 'White Australia' Policy, which had been in place since 1901. This restrictive policy had been designed to curb immigration from Asia, specifically targeting people from Britain and Europe. The Migration Act of 1966, however, allowed more Indians to migrate to Australia by removing racial barriers and considering potential immigrants based on their suitability as settlers, not their race. This change aligned with the growing criticism of Australia's previous discriminatory immigration policies.
Before the enactment of the Migration Act of 1966, the number of Indians migrating to Australia was relatively low due to the restrictive policies in place. After World War II, India's independence in 1947, and the subsequent departure of the British colonial authorities, many Indian-born Anglo-Western white British citizens and mixed-race European-Indians migrated to Australia. This marked the beginning of an increase in Indian migration to Australia.
The Migration Act of 1966 opened the doors for skilled professionals from India, including teachers, doctors, IT specialists, and engineers, to migrate to Australia. This influx of skilled migrants contributed to the diverse and multicultural fabric of modern Australia. By the 21st century, India had become the largest source of skilled migrants to the country.
Indian Australians have settled in various parts of the country, with a notable presence in major cities like Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Sydney. Melbourne, in particular, has suburbs with a higher concentration of Indians, such as Docklands, Footscray, and Sunshine. Parramatta in Sydney and its neighbouring suburbs also have a significant Indian population. The growth of the Indian community in Australia has led to the establishment of associations, organizations, and ethnic publications, as well as Indian language and dance schools in major cities.
The impact of the Migration Act of 1966 extends beyond the increase in Indian migration to Australia. By removing racial restrictions, the Act played a pivotal role in shaping Australia's multicultural identity, welcoming people from diverse backgrounds and skill sets. This shift towards a more inclusive immigration policy has had a lasting impact on the social, cultural, and economic landscape of the country.
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Frequently asked questions
Indian migrants to Australia settle in the larger states of Victoria and New South Wales. In Melbourne, suburbs such as Docklands, Footscray, and Sunshine have a higher concentration of Indians. Parramatta and neighbouring suburbs in Sydney's western areas also have a large number of Indian migrants.
Indian migrants are highly educated, employable, and wealthy. They are found across sectors, with many working in the tech sector, medicine, engineering, and business.
As of June 2022, there were 753,520 people born in India living in Australia, making them the second-largest migrant group in the country.
Indian migrants are attracted to Australia by the prospects of lucrative employment, top-tier education, and a more laid-back lifestyle. The Australian government has welcomed skilled Indian migrants to fill jobs in sectors with high demand for skilled workers, such as tech.
