Thousands of Australians took to the streets on Sunday in nationwide rallies against immigration, with organisers of the “March for Australia” demonstrations singling out Indian migrants in their promotional material.
According to census data, the Indian-born population in Australia doubled between 2013 and 2023 to reach about 845,800 – now making up more than 3% of the total population. Flyers circulated ahead of the rallies claimed, “More Indians in 5 years, than Greeks and Italians in 100… This isn’t a slight cultural change – it’s replacement plain and simple.”
The protests were staged in capital cities, including Melbourne where demonstrators gathered at Flinders Street Station at noon on August 31. Promotional material accused “big business” and political elites of pushing for a “Big Australia” of more than 100 million people, alleging that migration drives corporate profits at the cost of community cohesion, housing supply, wages, and environmental sustainability.
The March for Australia website described the movement as a “grassroots, organic effort to unite Australians around a common cause ending mass immigration.” On social media, the group declared it was willing to “demand an end to mass immigration” where mainstream politicians “never have the courage to do so.”
The flyers listed grievances ranging from traffic congestion and hospital strain to loss of culture and crime. “Whether you’re concerned for our Culture, Wages, Traffic, Housing Supply, Water Supply, Environmental Destruction, Infrastructure, Hospitals, Crime or Loss of Community, we are stronger together!” one message read.
The protests drew criticism from the government, which condemned the events as divisive and linked to extremist elements, including neo-Nazi groups. However, organisers denied any such association.
The rallies also cited polling by the Lowy Institute in June 2025, which reportedly found a majority of Australians considered annual migration levels “too high.”
Despite the criticism, organisers urged Australians to continue mobilising. “Australia is not an economic zone to be exploited by international finance. Australia is our home. If Albo and Ley won’t make a stand, it’s up to us!” one of the group’s flyers stated.
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