(SYDNEY) India has opened direct lines with the Albanese government and Indian community leaders after large anti-immigration protests swept Australian cities, including major “March for Australia” rallies in Sydney and Melbourne in late August and early September 2025. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in New Delhi, through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, said officials are “in constant touch” with counterparts and the diaspora as some demonstrations singled out Indian migrants and students, raising safety concerns for families and businesses tied to the growing Indian community.
Australian ministers and Members of Parliament from multiple parties condemned the anti-immigration protests and reaffirmed that the country stands by its multicultural values. Officials stressed there is “no place for any type of hate in Australia,” and affirmed a commitment to protect communities feeling targeted as crowds, some led by far-right figures, used rhetoric blaming migration for pressure on jobs, housing, and services. India, calling diaspora welfare a top priority, is coordinating with local police and consular teams as reports of harassment surfaced around certain rallies.
Organizers behind parts of the March for Australia included far-right networks and nationalist influencers. Notably, Thomas Sewell of the National Socialist Network and online figure Hugo Lennon appeared at events whose promotions echoed white nationalist talking points, including the “great replacement” conspiracy theory. Community groups reported that Indian students and workers were singled out in speeches and online material, deepening anxiety among residents who arrived to fill skill gaps in healthcare, technology, education, and business.
Government responses and safety steps
The Albanese Labor government’s message has been consistent: hate speech and racial intimidation are unacceptable, and multicultural communities are integral to the national story. Government agencies have engaged with Indian diplomats and community leaders to address real-time concerns.
The MEA said it is closely monitoring events and urged Indian nationals to:
– Stay alert and report incidents.
– Make use of consular support when needed.
Isolated clashes near protest sites were reported, including physical altercations and verbal threats. Police urged witnesses to file reports, while community hotlines and student associations offered escorts and check-ins. Indian missions reminded students and workers to:
- Keep copies of IDs handy.
- Share travel plans with friends when attending late classes or shifts.
- Avoid confrontation with agitators.
Families told this reporter their first worry is safety on commutes and around campuses, especially after evening tutorials or casual jobs.
Practical guidance shared by Indian diplomatic and community groups includes:
1. Report harassment or violence to local police immediately, and keep reference numbers.
2. Contact the nearest Indian consulate or the High Commission in Canberra for consular help.
3. Save emergency numbers and update your address with campus or employer security teams.
4. If a rally is planned near your area, plan alternate routes and travel with friends.
5. For visa or status issues, speak to a registered migration agent or a qualified lawyer.
To help with official policy updates and rights information, the Australian Department of Home Affairs publishes migration guidance and alerts. Readers can refer to the Department’s official site for visa settings and compliance information available at the Australian Department of Home Affairs. Indian officials say they will continue consultations with federal and state authorities to share community risk assessments and recommend steps to deter harassment.
Important: If you experience or witness harassment, prioritize your safety, call local police, and record the incident details and reference numbers for consular follow-up.
Policy context and migration trends
While the protests focused on broad concerns about migration levels, official data shows Indian nationals are a core part of the workforce supporting Australia’s economy.
- In the first half of 2025, more than 26,000 Indians received temporary skilled worker visas, making India the top source country for that category.
- Employers in sectors stretched by shortages—such as nursing, aged care, software engineering, and education—depend on these workers to keep services running.
Policy settings changed in 2024–2025:
– A new “genuine student” requirement for student visas was introduced.
– English language thresholds were raised for some applicants.
– Visa application fees were doubled for certain categories.
University advisers and migration agents report these changes have increased refusal rates in the student stream, including for Indian applicants who form one of the largest groups in higher education. However, there is no evidence of discriminatory targeting of Indians in skilled or family streams; approval patterns there remain steady for qualified applicants.
Melbourne-based immigration attorney Jordan Tew noted that Indian applicants are highly visible in public debates because of their numbers and community presence, but their contributions are widely recognized. He urged students and skilled workers to prepare strong applications with complete documentation, adding that robust cases “continue to succeed.” For many families, study and work plans are long-term investments; careful planning and compliance remain essential during a time of policy tightening and public debate.
Experts say the protests do not reflect the wider public’s view. Policymakers and business leaders across the spectrum recognize Indian migrants as central to services and innovation. Universities rely on international students, including Indians, for both financial stability and campus life. Employers in technology and health say they cannot fill key roles fast enough without international recruitment.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, skilled migration from India has remained resilient even as student visa refusal rates rose under the tougher 2024–2025 criteria, underscoring the split between education and employment pathways.
Community impact and what comes next
For Indian students in Sydney, the protests have changed daily routines more than long-term plans. A software engineering master’s student said classmates now check group chats for march routes before deciding on library hours. A nurse on a temporary skilled visa described a tense ride home after a late shift when a group near a rally site shouted slurs. Both said they still see their future in Australia, pointing to supportive colleagues and teachers who quickly offered help and reported incidents.
Local Indian businesses, especially restaurants and grocery stores near university precincts, reported dipping foot traffic on protest weekends. Shop owners balanced concerns with optimism, noting strong backing from neighbors and councils. Faith groups organized community dinners with police liaison officers and campus leaders to answer questions about safety, reporting, and transport options when events are planned in the CBD.
Far-right groups and some conservative commentators argue that high migration strains infrastructure and social cohesion. They cite housing costs, longer commute times, and crowded public services. Yet their rhetoric often includes racialized claims and conspiracy theories condemned by mainstream parties.
Economists counter that new arrivals also:
– Expand the tax base
– Start companies
– Staff critical services
They argue the public debate should focus on housing supply and training pipelines, alongside measured migration settings, rather than blaming any one community.
Officials in both countries expect continued coordination. The Albanese government is likely to maintain a strong pro-multicultural stance while keeping the option of further policy adjustments depending on economic conditions. Indian diplomats will keep raising community concerns, pressing for swift responses to harassment reports and steady communication with universities and employers who host large numbers of Indian nationals.
People-to-people ties—student exchanges, research links, and business partnerships—remain a core pillar of the India–Australia relationship, and both sides say they aim to protect that foundation.
For students and workers worried about visa processing amid the political climate, migration lawyers advise simple steps:
– Build a clear study or work plan that explains course choice, career path, and ties to skills demand.
– Meet the updated English requirements and collect test results early.
– Provide complete financial and enrollment evidence to meet the “genuine student” test.
– Keep contact details current with your institution and employer; respond quickly to case officer requests.
Parents and spouses in India watching events from afar often face stress when headlines center on anti-immigration protests. Community counselors urge families to:
– Keep regular check-ins.
– Ask about daily routines rather than only news.
– Support professional advice when an application hits a snag.
Students say steady encouragement from home helps them stay focused on coursework and placements.
Local measures and reassurance
In Sydney, where the March for Australia drew the largest crowds, police and campus security increased patrols around transport hubs on protest days. Local councils worked with multicultural liaison teams to circulate safety tips in multiple languages. Indian associations opened volunteer helplines to connect newcomers with mentors who know the city’s neighborhoods, rental market, and transit lines. These small, practical steps have helped ease anxiety and build confidence for those who arrived only weeks before the rallies.
The broader political system has responded with clear words against hate and racism. Lawmakers from different parties repeated that migrants are part of Australia’s identity and future, and that protests, while lawful when peaceful, cannot be used to intimidate communities. That message, backed by police action against offenders and ongoing talks with Indian officials, is likely to shape how authorities handle any future demonstrations.
India’s MEA said it will keep engaging the Albanese government and the diaspora until tensions cool. For now, the advice from officials and community leaders is simple: stay aware, report incidents, and keep moving forward with studies, work, and family life.
Most Indians in Australia say they still feel welcome in classrooms, clinics, and offices—places where day-to-day cooperation matters more than the noise on the streets. As one student put it after a long week of labs and late buses in Sydney, “We came here to learn and help. That’s still the plan.”
This Article in a Nutshell
Anti-immigration rallies in August–September 2025, including large March for Australia events in Sydney and Melbourne, prompted India’s MEA to open direct lines with the Albanese government and community leaders after instances of Indian migrants and students were singled out. Australian officials condemned hate speech, increased police and campus security patrols, and coordinated with Indian missions. Organisers included far-right figures whose messaging amplified racist conspiracy theories. Practical advice from Indian consulates urged reporting incidents, using consular support, carrying ID copies, and avoiding confrontation. Despite tougher 2024–2025 visa rules—such as a “genuine student” test, higher English thresholds, and fee hikes—over 26,000 Indians received temporary skilled worker visas in H1 2025. Experts say skilled and family migration remain steady for qualified applicants. Governments will continue coordination to deter harassment, protect diaspora welfare, and preserve educational and economic ties.
