Statsguru: Mateship goes amiss despite Indians' economic contribution

The recent anti-immigrant protests in Australia titled “March for Australia” have called for an end to mass migration —particularly from India. However, by singling out the Indian community, the protests have not only ignored the economic contributions of the Indian diaspora in Australia, but also failed to uphold the value of “mateship” — the bedrock of Australia’s culture and national identity.

 

Over 31 per cent of Australia’s population was born overseas in 2024, up from 23 per cent at the start of the century. (chart 1)

  India-born migrants down under were the second-largest diaspora in 2024. (chart 2) 

 

The personal median weekly income of the India-born residents in 2021 was $1,015, the highest among major overseas-born migrant communities. (chart 3) 

 

Nearly 60 per cent of India-born residents worked full-time in 2021, second only to those born in New Zealand. (chart 4) 

 

The Indian community in Australia was usually employed as professionals, machine operators and drivers in 2021. (chart 5) 

India-born residents were the second-highest tax-paying migrant community in Australia in 2016-17, with a share of 16.1 per cent in tax paid by such communities. (chart 6)