Lyla Lindsey
As of June 2024, India is the second-largest group of overseas-born Australians, with 916,000 people. This number has been steadily increasing over the last three years, with 783,958 people declaring Indian ancestry in the 2021 census, representing 3.1% of the Australian population. The states with the largest Indian-born population are New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia. Indians are the youngest average-aged community in Australia and the fastest-growing in absolute numbers and percentages.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Indian ancestry population in Australia | 783,958 (3.1% of the Australian population) as of 2021 census |
| Australian residents born in India | 721,050 as of 2019 estimate |
| Top states with Indian ancestry population | New South Wales (350,770), Victoria (250,103), Queensland (93,648), Western Australia (77,357), South Australia (43,598) |
| Indian students in Australia | 70,000 as of 2017-18; 90,000 as of 2009; 120,000 as of 2024 |
| Indian community as a percentage of Australia's population | 4% as of 2024 |
| Indian-born population as a percentage of Australia's population | 3.5% as of 2024 |
| Indian-born population as a percentage of Australia's overseas-born population | 9.1% as of 2024 |
| Indian Australians as the largest overseas group | Second-largest and fastest-growing |
| Top languages spoken in Australia with Indian origin | Hindi (0.7%), Punjabi (0.6%) |
| Top religions with Indian origin | Buddhist (2.4%), Hindu (1.9%), Sikh (0.5%) |
| Education level of Indian migrants | 54.6% with a bachelor's or higher degree as of 2016 |
| Trade between India and Australia | Two-way trade valued at $48 billion AUD in 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
- Indian Australians are one of the largest groups within the Indian diaspora
- The number of people in Australia with Indian heritage is around 976,000
- Indian students in Australia: 70,000 in 2011, 90,000 in 2009, and 120,000 in 2024
- Indians were the highest-educated migrant group in Australia in 2016
- Australia's Western region had the highest proportion of people born overseas in 2021
Indian Australians are one of the largest groups within the Indian diaspora
Indian Australians are Australians of Indian ancestry, encompassing those born in India, Australia, or elsewhere in the Indian diaspora. Indian Australians constitute one of the largest groups within the Indian diaspora, with 783,958 individuals claiming Indian ancestry in the 2021 census, accounting for 3.1% of the Australian population. In 2019, the Australian Bureau of Statistics projected that 721,050 Australian residents were born in India, making Indians the youngest (with an average age of 34) and fastest-growing community in Australia.
Historically, Indians have had a long presence in Australia, dating back to the early European colonial explorations of the continent. Indians worked on European ships trading in Colonial India and the East Indies, and some even participated in the gold rush in the Victorian gold fields. After India's independence in 1947, there was a significant influx of Anglo-Indians migrating to Australia, and the trend continued with the arrival of teachers, doctors, and other professionals from India after 1966.
In recent times, India has emerged as the largest source of skilled migrants in the 21st century, with Indian migrants becoming the second-largest group of overseas-born residents in Australia as of 2020. Indian diaspora communities are deeply integrated into various facets of Australian life, including business, politics, government, academia, and sports. They are recognised for their dynamism and enterprise, fostering strong economic ties between Australia and India.
The Indian community in Australia is highly educated, with 54.6% of Indians in Australia holding a bachelor's degree or higher as of 2016, significantly exceeding Australia's national average. Additionally, Hindi and Punjabi are among the top 10 languages spoken in Australia, reflecting the significant presence of the Indian community.
The states with the highest Indian population in Australia as of the 2021 census are New South Wales (350,770), Victoria (250,103), Queensland (93,648), Western Australia (77,357), and South Australia (43,598). Indian Australians have established associations, organisations, and ethnic publications, as well as Indian language and dance schools in all major cities, fostering a strong sense of community and cultural preservation.
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The number of people in Australia with Indian heritage is around 976,000
Indian Australians are one of the largest groups within the Indian diaspora and are the youngest and fastest-growing community in Australia, both in terms of absolute numbers and percentages. In 2017-2018, India was the largest source of new permanent annual migrants to Australia, with 20.5% of all Australian permanent resident visas going to Indians. This trend has continued, with an increasing number of Indian professionals, including software experts, migrating to Australia.
Historically, the Indian population in Australia has fluctuated. Before 1901, there were around 6500-7000 Indians in Australia, with Indians working in various sectors such as transport, agriculture, and mining. After the 1901 Immigration Restriction Act was introduced, migration from India was curtailed, and the number of Indians in Australia decreased significantly, with only 2200 Indians recorded in the country by 1921. However, after India's independence in 1947, there was an increase in migration, particularly of Anglo-Indians, and the Indian population in Australia began to grow again.
A genetic study in 2012 suggested that Indian explorers settled in Australia and assimilated into the local population around 4,000 years before the First Fleet landed in 1788. This study found evidence of a migration of genes from India to Australia approximately 2,000 BC, indicating early Indian contact with Aboriginal Australians.
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Indian students in Australia: 70,000 in 2011, 90,000 in 2009, and 120,000 in 2024
Indian students have long been drawn to Australia for educational opportunities. In 2009, there were around 90,000 Indian students studying at Australian tertiary institutions, according to Prime Minister Rudd. However, following violent attacks against Indians in Australia, this number fell, and in 2011, there were 70,000 Indian students in Australia.
The number of Indian students in Australia has fluctuated over the years, impacted by various factors such as border closures and the availability of student visas. In 2020, there were 115,000 Indian students in Australia, and in 2021, this number decreased to 77,000. According to India's Rajya Sabha, the number of Indian students registered in Australia in 2021 was 92,383.
As of July 2024, there are approximately 118,109 Indian students in Australia, with India overtaking China as the top country lodging student visa applications. This number is expected to grow, with predictions of 120,000 Indian students in Australia by 2024.
The Indian community in Australia has a long history, dating back to the 19th century when Indians participated in the gold rush in Victoria and worked on banana plantations in Southern Queensland. After India's independence in 1947, there was an influx of Anglo-Indians migrating to Australia, and in the 1980s, large numbers of Indian software professionals began arriving in the country. Today, Indian Australians or Indo-Australians are one of the largest groups within the Indian diaspora, with over 780,000 people declaring Indian ancestry in the 2021 census, representing 3.1% of the Australian population.
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Indians were the highest-educated migrant group in Australia in 2016
The Indian population in Australia has been steadily growing over the years, with a significant increase in the number of Indian migrants in the country. In 2016, Indians were the highest-educated migrant group in Australia, with 54.6% of Indian migrants holding a bachelor's degree or higher educational qualification. This proportion was more than three times Australia's national average of 17.2% recorded in 2011, showcasing the high educational attainment of Indian migrants in the country.
The history of Indian migration to Australia dates back centuries, with evidence of Indian explorers settling in Australia and intermingling with the local population as early as 2217 BC. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Indians worked as soldiers, sailors, and indentured labourers in Australia, with some participating in the Victorian gold rush and working on banana plantations. After India's independence in 1947, there was an increase in migration of Indian-born Anglo-western white British citizens to Australia. However, restrictive immigration policies, such as the 1901 Immigration Restriction Act, aimed to curb migration from Asia.
In recent decades, Australia has seen a significant influx of Indian migrants, particularly skilled professionals. Between 2006 and 2016, the number of people with Indian ancestry in Australia nearly quadrupled, and by 2021, over 780,000 people declared Indian ancestry in the census. Indians are now the largest migrant group in Melbourne and Adelaide, with a high concentration in suburbs like Docklands, Footscray, and Parramatta. They have also settled in other states, with substantial populations in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and Western Australia.
The high educational attainment of Indian migrants has contributed to their employment in skilled professions. They have a high full-time employment rate, with many working as IT specialists, doctors, and engineers. Their median income is higher than that of all overseas-born and Australia-born residents, reflecting the positive impact of their education and skills on their economic prospects in Australia.
In summary, Indians in Australia have not only been the highest-educated migrant group but have also made significant contributions to the country's economy and society. Their determination to climb the social ladder and their strong presence in skilled professions have influenced Australian society and continue to shape their integration and impact in their adopted country.
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Australia's Western region had the highest proportion of people born overseas in 2021
Australia has one of the highest numbers of foreign-born residents in the world, with immigrants accounting for 30% of the population, the highest proportion among major Western nations. In 2021, 29.3% of Australia's population was born overseas, a figure that varied across the country.
Australia's Western region, including the state of Western Australia and the city of Perth, has consistently had the highest proportion of people born overseas in recent years. In 2016, Western Australia had the largest population of overseas-born individuals among all Australian states and territories, with Perth being the third-highest city. While the proportion of the population born overseas in Western Australia decreased from 35.0% in 2016 to 34.1% in 2021, it still had the highest proportion of any state or territory in 2021.
The high proportion of overseas-born individuals in Western Australia can be attributed to various factors, including historical migration patterns and the region's economic and demographic characteristics. Western Australia has a strong economy and is known for its natural resources and mining industry, which may attract immigrants seeking employment opportunities.
In terms of the Indian population in Australia, Indian Australians are one of the largest groups within the Indian diaspora globally. At the 2021 census, 783,958 people declared Indian ancestry, representing 3.1% of the Australian population. The states with the largest number of people nominating Indian ancestry were New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia. Indian migration to Australia has occurred in several waves, including the arrival of Sikhs to work on banana plantations in Southern Queensland, the influx of professionals in the 1960s, and the recent increase in Indian students studying in Australian universities.
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Frequently asked questions
New South Wales, with 350,770 people nominating Indian ancestry in the 2021 census.
Around 4% of Australia's population is of Indian origin, or around 976,000 people as of the 2021 census.
The Indian community is Australia's second-largest overseas group, behind those born in England.
There are approximately 120,000 Indian students in Australia, with 70,000 studying in Australian universities and colleges.
