Indians on track to become Australia's biggest migrant group

A surge of people born in India moving to Australia has overtaken Chinese and New Zealanders to be our second largest migrant group, trailing behind only England.

"We've had the Greeks come here, Italians come here, then the Chinese and the Vietnamese. I think it's about time the Indians found a way here and that's what's happened," Akash Tuteja told A Current Affair.

In the 2011 census results, 337,120 Indian migrants flocked to Australia.

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In just 10 years, that number has rocketed to 710,380 people.

Tuteja and his brothers own a handful of Indian restaurants in Melbourne, including Desi Dhaba.

He said Australian people and culture were why so many wanted to relocate here.

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"And being the way Australia is, it welcomes people so nicely with open arms," he said.

Demographer Dharmalingam Arunachalam agreed and said the Australian pace of life and work opportunities were big incentives for Indians looking for somewhere to live abroad.

"Indians very readily identify with the institutions here, the lifestyle here, the landscape here, and they believe they can make a good living here in Australia," he said.

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At this rate of growth, Arunachalam believes the India-born population is likely to become the largest overseas born population "in about five years".

Indian film critic Rajeev Masand has been visiting Australia for the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne for the last six years.

He said many of his family and friends had moved here and he could see the appeal.

"I do think there's a big Indian community in Australia that of course, you know, watches a lot of Indian films, however, they're accessible. But I would say cricket is really the in-roads to India's love for Australia," Masand said.

In Melbourne's western suburbs, Bindaas Bollywood dance teacher Hith Yatawara holds Indian choreography classes over one-hour slots.

"We've got quite a few people who don't have a connection to India but they have built up that connection, learning the culture through the dance," Yatawara said.

Lessons take place in the evening on weekdays and in the afternoon on Sundays, with colourful costumes available to wear.

Yatawara said the new form of fitness represents a fun and vibrant ode to the rich heritage of India.

"It's very popular. It's almost become like a fashion or a trend, especially as Australia gets more multicultural," Yatawara said.