Looking for Australian Expats in India?

Is India a good move for Australians? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2024 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what Australian expats in India wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there. This is a small sample, so read it as a friendly snapshot rather than the last word.

• It's culturally rich and endlessly interesting. Australians describe India as one of the most culturally enriching places to live, never boring.

• Your money goes much further. 69% of expats in India rate the general cost of living positively, against a global average of 40%, and household help is affordable.

• People are warm and English gets you far. 54% say making local friends is easy (vs. 38% globally) and 62% get by fine without the local language.

• Healthcare and travel are a plus. 68% rate healthcare affordability positively and 80% the opportunity to travel within a vast, varied country.

• Air pollution is a serious concern. Just 16% of expats in India rate air quality positively, against 64% globally.

• Bureaucracy and time-keeping frustrate. Only 20% find dealing with authorities easy, and a lack of punctuality and transparency comes up.

• Politics and safety weigh on people. Australians mention the political climate, press freedom, and safety concerns, especially for women.

• Getting around is hard. Public transport rates 46% and getting around on foot or by bike just 37%.

For Australians, India offers an affordable, culturally rich life with warm people and easy travel. The trade-offs are the air, the bureaucracy, and safety. With a small Australian sample, treat this as a snapshot.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Australian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Of course, expat living in India is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Australians is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the Indian way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Australians in India, residing in New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Australians in New Delhi or Australians in Mumbai.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for Australian food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the Indian InterNations Community:

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from Australia in India.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our India Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get vegemite in Mumbai.
• Search the InterNations Places database for India to get information on institutions from your home country, including the Australian embassy.

From the National Capital Territory around Delhi to southern states like Kerala, Goa or Tamil Nadu, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly Australian expats in India.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in India. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional Indian bhakri, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in New Delhi’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see the country's most vibrant and biggest city as well as other beautiful landmarks in India.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from Australia and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Hello from our Australians living in India!