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Indian diaspora looked upon as favourable in Victoria: Survey
In 2021-2022, India surpassed the United Kingdom and China as the primary source country for the largest number of permanent migrants to Australia
Indians constitute one of the fastest-growing diaspora communities in Australia / Pixabay
The Australia India Institute, with support from the Victorian government, conducted a survey to examine perceptions of the Indian diaspora in Victoria. The Institute conducted the research for this survey report in collaboration with the Melbourne Institute: Applied Economic & Social Research-Roy Morgan Taking The Pulse of the Nation (MI-RM TTPN) survey. The survey findings indicate that Victorians hold a generally positive view of the Indian diaspora.
Key findings from the report indicate that 71 percent of all Victorian respondents have regular interactions with the Indian diaspora, mainly in retail/restaurant settings (58 percent) and workplaces (56 percent). Additionally, 51 percent of respondents across all age and gender groups agree that the diaspora contributes positively to their local community.
58 percent of respondents agreed that international Indian university students make positive contributions to Victoria's economy and society. Moreover, 70 percent of respondents agreed that the Victorian Government should engage with India to promote trade and business, while 60 percent agreed that the government has a crucial role in encouraging skilled migration from India.
Meanwhile, among Victorian survey respondents, 81 percent were unaware of Indian diaspora members holding leadership positions in business or politics.
52 percent of respondents expressed an intention to learn more about India, with younger respondents showing greater interest. Additionally, 54 percent expressed eagerness to participate in future Indian public and cultural events, while 40 percent showed interest in increasing their social interactions with the Indian diaspora.
The findings demonstrate a generally positive perception of the Victorian Government's efforts in engaging with India, promoting travel and tourism for Indian visitors, attracting international Indian students, and supporting the skilled migration of Indian professionals.
Indians constitute one of the fastest-growing diaspora communities in Australia. In 2021-2022, India surpassed the United Kingdom and China as the primary source country for the largest number of permanent migrants to Australia. About 40 percent of Indian migrants to Australia choose to settle in the state of Victoria. They represent a youthful migrant cohort with significant participation in the state's key economic sectors. Of Victoria's Indian diaspora, 64 percent are Australian citizens, while 36 percent are second-generation, English-speaking, multilingual Victorian-Indians.
“As Australia’s economic and geostrategic ties with India continue to grow, the role of Indian diaspora communities and our understanding of them equally becomes more important,” said Lisa Singh, CEO of the Australia India Institute. “Engaging our Indian diaspora, through their entrepreneurial spirit, attracting talent into leadership roles, and through arts and culture and building on our people-topeople-links enables us to better understand each other.”
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