Australia: No longer a dream destination for Indians?

Filed in archive General on January 14, 2010

© NeilsPhotography

A few years back Australia was the dream destination for one out of every three Indian looking to forward their career prospects and future abroad. Truck loads of Indians landed in Australia with the dream of better living and opportunity chucking the traditional favorites destinations such as USA and Europe but the scenario of today is quite different from what it used to be a few years back.

Today Indians are victim of racial attacks and violence in the country and with no signs of violence abating parents are thinking a thousand times about sending their children to Australia.

Brides to be, students, professionals who were eager to go to Australia are now putting their plans on hold or looking for some alternative destination. Marriage bureaus and immigration consultants have already started to feel the heat of the present situation and have reported a drop in the number of enquiries already. Even parents whose children are already in Australia are making frantic calls everyday to their children pushing their call expenses to the roof. Australian government seems confused and doesn't know how to stop these acts of violence which are not refusing to come to a halt.

At the end of the day Australia definitely stands to lose in terms of tag of 'unsafe country', loss of revenue which could runs into billions of dollars besides pool of talented professionals at prices unheard of. Even Indians currently living in Australia stand to lose in terms of fear of becoming victim of racism violence, bleak prospects of bride from India, having to return back to their country due to constant pressure from their parents or due to deteriorating conditions out there.

As far as Indians living in India seeking greener pastures would have to spend a lot more to travel to good old USA or UK as compared to Australia apart from stricter immigration laws in these countries.

2010 would certainly be crucial for Australia as well as India.