India continues to outpace other key markets in sending visitors to Australia, with new data revealing that nearly half of all Indian arrivals in February 2025 headed straight for Victoria. According to the latest Overseas Arrivals and Departures data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) on 11 April 2025, 39,920 short-term visitors arrived from India that month, with 17,080 choosing Victoria as their primary stop—making up more than 43% of the total.
While the broader visitor market shrank, with overall short-term arrivals falling 8.2% compared to February 2024, India’s contribution grew nearly 11%. That put it sixth on the list of top inbound countries, up from previous positions where it trailed behind Singapore and Canada. Few others recorded any gains. Germany’s arrivals nudged up slightly, and the UK managed a modest increase. Most major markets, including China, New Zealand, and Singapore, saw double-digit declines.
Victoria’s dominance among Indian visitors isn’t new, but it has become more pronounced. The state’s longstanding Indian community, coupled with its reputation as an education and business destination, appears to be a key drawcard. Melbourne’s direct flight connections to Delhi and regular services via major hubs like Singapore and Dubai have also helped.
New South Wales came second, welcoming 11,540 Indian visitors—just under 30% of the cohort. Queensland followed with 4,240, while Western Australia and South Australia attracted 3,540 and 2,110, respectively. ACT, Tasmania, and the Northern Territory rounded out the numbers, each accounting for a small fraction of the total.
Despite the uplift from India, Victoria’s overall short-term arrivals fell 12.1% compared to the same time last year. It wasn’t alone. New South Wales was down 9.4% and Queensland slipped 3.9%. In contrast, South Australia and the ACT posted modest gains, though from a lower base. The Northern Territory, which typically sees fewer visitors overall, also recorded a rise in international student numbers.
The surge in Indian arrivals stands out not just for its size, but for its direction. While many source countries are still adjusting to changing travel preferences, India’s numbers are moving upward. That trend is backed by education enrolments and family visits, which tend to be more consistent than short-term tourism. Student visa arrivals increased by 12.1% in February, with Indian students making up a considerable share of that intake. In many cases, their families arrive alongside or shortly after them.
China remained Australia’s top source of short-term visitors in February, sending 122,680 travellers, although that was an 18.1% drop from last year. New Zealand followed with 88,800, also down. The United States (79,290) and the United Kingdom (77,620) stayed relatively steady, while South Korea rounded out the top five.
India’s upward climb came amid growing two-way movement. Australians made 923,360 short-term trips abroad during February—up 19% from a year earlier. India was the fourth most visited destination by Australians, with 83,860 trips. Only New Zealand, Indonesia, and Japan ranked higher. The mutual flow reflects growing connectivity and deeper social and economic ties.
For tourism operators and state governments, the figures offer both comfort and a challenge. India’s consistency is welcome news at a time when volatility remains the norm. The question now is whether states can use this momentum to diversify Indian visitor patterns beyond the major cities. Regional destinations are yet to see strong Indian traffic, and even some metro areas lag behind in tapping into the market. Queensland’s relative underperformance, despite its leisure appeal, suggests that better targeting may be needed.
The numbers from February hint at India’s growing role in shaping Australia’s tourism future. With many traditional markets still hesitating or shrinking, India’s visitors are doing something rare in today’s travel economy—they’re turning up.
Data sourced from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Overseas Arrivals and Departures, released 11 April 2025
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📈 India led growth in Aussie arrivals, with 39,920 visitors in Feb 2025—43% heading to Victoria. 🛬 While most markets fell, Indian numbers rose 11%, driven by students & family visits. 🎓✈️ #TheIndianSun @ABSStatshttps://t.co/jGzRShieo5
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