Indian Migrants: Essential to Australia’s Growth and building future

Indian migrants are central to Australia’s prosperity, shaping healthcare, IT, engineering, business, and education. As the nation’s second-largest migrant group, they lead skilled migration and student enrolments, filling critical shortages and sustaining universities. Far from straining resources, Indians bring high education levels, strong work ethic, and peaceful community values. Their growing role proves migrants from India are vital partners in building a successful, innovative, and harmonious Australia.

For generations, Indian students, professionals, and families have sought opportunities in Australia—and their numbers continue to rise. Today, the Indian community is among the largest migrant groups in the country, with significant representation in technology, education, health care, and business. In the first six months of 2025 alone, more than 26,000 Indians were granted temporary skilled worker visas, making India the leading source nation for this program.

Yet, a wave of anti-immigration rallies has sparked unease across communities. Recent demonstrations, some of which specifically targeted Indians, have gathered large turnouts in major cities. Protest organizers argue that migration fuels competition for housing, jobs, and public services.

Despite these criticisms, official data reveals a more nuanced picture. India topped the list in Australia’s permanent migration program for 2023–24, with nearly 50,000 slots secured. Within the skilled migration pathway, Indians made up close to 30 percent of visa approvals—the largest share by any single nationality. On the student front, Indians account for about 17 percent of all international enrolments, the second-largest cohort. They also represent roughly 18 percent of temporary skilled visa recipients as of mid-2025.

These figures highlight influence, not overload. Australia’s permanent intake is capped at 190,000 annually, and temporary skilled visas are tied directly to workforce shortages. At the same time, total international student numbers actually declined in late 2024. Far from “flooding” the system, Indian workers and students are meeting genuine needs while supporting institutions that rely on them.

Indian migrants remain central to Australia’s growth. They form the backbone of key professions—nurses, doctors, tech specialists, and teachers among them—while also sustaining universities and their surrounding communities. Casting them as a strain on resources sidesteps the truth: Indian workers and learners are vital partners in Australia’s success.

The contribution of Indians runs deep, both historically and today. As Australia’s second-largest migrant group, their presence can be traced back to the late 19th century. Skilled migration has continued that legacy, particularly in high-demand fields such as health care, engineering, IT, and education. Occupations like nursing and information technology, which see heavy Indian participation, rank among the top categories for skilled work visas, directly helping to fill persistent labour shortages.

In the academic sphere, Indian students are indispensable—not only to the financial sustainability of universities but also to the vibrancy of campus life. Their impact extends beyond classrooms and clinics. Indian Australians have shaped business, politics, sport, and cultural life, strengthening the country’s diversity and making it more interconnected with the world.

The evidence is clear: Indian migrants are not straining Australia’s resources—they are helping to build its future.

Report on the Achievements and Contributions of the Indian Professional and Business Migrant Community in Australia

1. Introduction

The Indian diaspora in Australia forms one of the fastest-growing and most successful migrant communities. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS, 2021 Census), India is the second-largest source country of migrants after England, with more than 976,000 people of Indian origin living in Australia—around 3.1% of the national population. This community is widely recognized for its educational achievements, professional excellence, business entrepreneurship, and social cohesion.

2. Educational Achievements

• Top International Student Source: India has consistently been the second-largest source of international students in Australia (Department of Education, 2022).

• High Qualifications: ABS data (2021 Census) shows over 54% of Indian-born Australians hold a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 26% of the general Australian population.

• STEM Contributions: A significant proportion of Indian students pursue studies in engineering, IT, and health sciences, filling Australia’s critical skills gaps.

3. Professional Achievements

• Healthcare Sector:

  • Indians represent a growing share of doctors, nurses, and allied health professionals.

  • The Australian Medical Council records that a significant proportion of international medical graduates (IMGs) are of Indian origin, especially in rural and regional areas.

• IT and Engineering:

  • Indians dominate skilled migration in ICT sectors (Department of Home Affairs, 2021), with high employment in companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, and major Australian tech firms.

• Higher Employment Rate:

  • Indian-born Australians have one of the highest labour force participation rates (77%), with unemployment well below the national average (ABS, 2021).

4. Business and Economic Contributions

• Entrepreneurship:

  • A growing number of Indian entrepreneurs run small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in fields such as hospitality, retail, information technology, and construction.

• Bilateral Trade Linkages:

  • The Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA, 2022) benefits from diaspora-led businesses promoting bilateral trade.

• Skilled Migration Inputs:

  • India is the largest source country under Australia’s Skilled Migration Program (Home Affairs, 2020–21 report).

5. Social and Cultural Contributions

• Peaceful Community:

  • Indian migrants have low crime rates relative to population share (Australian Institute of Criminology, 2019), making them a peaceful and law-abiding community.

• Multicultural Engagement:

  • Indian cultural festivals—like Diwali, Holi, and Navratri—are now mainstream events in cities such as Melbourne and Sydney, attended by diverse communities, strengthening multicultural cohesion.

• Religious Harmony:

  • With Hinduism, Sikhism, Christianity, and Islam represented, the Indian community is noted for its cultural inclusiveness and interfaith engagement.

6. National Importance of the Indian Community

• Workforce Needs:

  • With Australia’s ageing population and skills shortages, Indian professionals (especially in IT, medicine, and engineering) are vital to sustaining economic growth.

• Demographic Dividend:

  • Indian migrants are primarily in the working-age bracket (median age: 34 years, ABS 2021), much younger than the median age of 38 for Australia overall.

• Economic Strengthening:

  • By boosting both consumption (a fast-growing middle class) and supply (through skilled labour), Indian migrants play a dual role in Australia’s economy.

7. Why Indians Are Among the Best Migrant Communities Globally

• Highly Educated and Skilled workforce.

• Entrepreneurial Spirit—building businesses, job creation.

• Peaceful and Law-Abiding, with strong family values.

• Strong Work Ethic, with a reputation for diligence and service.

• Cultural Adaptability, enriching the host nation while preserving traditions.

8. References

1. Australian Bureau of Statistics (2021 Census): "Migrant Data" – ABS.gov.au

2. Department of Education (Australia), International Student Data 2022.

3. Department of Home Affairs, "Immigration and Citizenship Reports," 2020–21.

4. Australian Medical Council, International Medical Graduate statistics.

5. Australian Institute of Criminology (2019), Community Crime Studies.

6. Australia–India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), 2022.

The Indian professional and business migrant community in Australia is one of the most successful, impactful, and peaceful diasporas. They are deeply contributing to national development through education, innovation, healthcare, and entrepreneurship while promoting multicultural harmony.

If any country seeks long-term economic prosperity, innovation capacity, and social peace, encouraging Indian migration has proven to be one of the best pathways.