Australia’s Indian diaspora is earning more and skewing younger than most might expect, according to a detailed statistical snapshot commissioned by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and prepared by the University of Queensland.
The report, Understanding Australia’s Indian Communities, paints a picture of a community that is both growing and economically active, with clear patterns across age, education and earnings.
Most Indian-born migrants fall between 25 and 44 years of age, a group that aligns closely with the nation’s highest-earning cohort. As of the 2021 Census, nearly 18.2 per cent of Indian-born residents were in the top income bracket—defined as earning over $104,000 per year—compared to 15.9 per cent of Australian-born residents.
That’s not the only contrast. Just 17.7 per cent of Indian-born residents were in the bottom income category (below $20,799), well below the 23.2 per cent seen in the Australian-born population.
Still, the report doesn’t shy away from complexity. Once factors like education, visa status and location are controlled for, the gap narrows. The proportion of Indian-born migrants in the top income tier drops to 14.7 per cent, while the share in the lowest tier rises to 28.2 per cent.
Education appears to be the great leveller. Among those with a university degree, income outcomes are nearly identical between Indian-born and Australian-born residents. The report notes that “these disparities disappear among university graduates, with both Indian-born and Australian-born residents holding a bachelor’s degree showing similar income distributions.”
It also highlights that 68 per cent of Indian-born migrants have a bachelor’s degree or higher, including 31 per cent who hold postgraduate qualifications. That figure is well above the national average and reflects the continuing impact of Australia’s skilled migration intake, especially in areas like ICT, engineering and health.
However, some barriers remain. Despite their qualifications, Indian graduates are less likely to hold managerial positions compared to Australian-born peers—12.8 per cent versus 18 per cent.
Meanwhile, the occupational profile of Indian migrants is becoming more varied. ICT professionals still top the list, but roles in transport, aged care and hospitality are growing fast. Road and rail drivers are now the second most common occupation, and carers and aides have climbed into third spot.
The report also makes it clear that not all migration stories are equal. A third of Indian-born residents in 2021 were on temporary visas, and many face long waits to transition to permanent residency. On average, it takes two to three visas to secure permanency, and while 77 per cent of Indian students remain in Australia after seven years, 31 per cent are still on temporary visas during that time.
At a macro level, the impact is measurable. Each 1 per cent increase in the Indian-born population is associated with a 0.22 per cent rise in the number of medium-sized businesses and a 0.16 per cent increase in large businesses.
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