With the ‘March for Australia’ protests planned for this Sunday, international students are understandably worried about their safety. They are concerned about the long-term impact of all this protesting. Varada Nair, a student studying publishing and communications from India, was undecided about going home that day. She experienced all the anxieties that a lot of her classmates were because of the increasing wave of anti-immigration sentiment.
Recently, the March for Australia Instagram account was forced to clarify its opposition to extreme figures associated with neo-Nazi ideology. Questions remain over who is behind the event and what their real goals are. Information about the protest has been difficult to track down. Yet, according to news reports, the very same organizers are advocating for deep cuts to immigration into Australia.
Mandeep Singh, who has over 30,000 followers on Instagram, has been posting tons of video about the upcoming protests. He characterizes the narrative promoted by the protests as “toxic,” especially for Australia’s diverse and multicultural tapestry. Both Singh and Nair highlight how the protests have triggered fears among international students, leading to discussions about safety and community support.
“It is not just a fear that is there in us, but it has, I think, spread around to our relatives and to our friends and family back home where they are worried about our safety now.” – Varada Nair
Both the current Labor federal government and the major Opposition party have called for a cap on international student inflows during the 2025 federal election campaign. This proposed cap raises further questions about the future of Australia’s education exports, which rank as the country’s fourth largest export industry behind iron ore, coal, and natural gas. In the 2023-24 financial year, temporary students accounted for 207,000 migrant arrivals, making them the largest group of newcomers to Australia.
Nair is an evangelist for making Australia’s education industry “more competitive and more dynamic” than that of her home country. Lately, she’s begun to be alarmed at how the public seems to be turning against immigrants. Many international students spend significantly more than they earn in Australia—twice as much as resident citizens—contributing approximately $51 billion to the Australian economy annually.
“You do feel that when so many reels are being sent to you and people are telling you that you should stay away, you should not go out of the house on that day … It does create a worry in your head. What if something does happen?” – Varada Nair
For Singh, social media has played a significant role in elevating the awareness and visibility of the protests. He explains how regional language videos spreading like wildfire have raised awareness within the communities worried about their daughters participating in the protests. He emphasizes that the protests misrepresent immigrants, stating, “I don’t think you should blame a whole group of people for coming here and trying to build a life for themselves along with you … I think immigration or immigrants are kind of like scapegoats right now.”
Some voices from within the Australian community have been much more vocal in their support for a more diverse and inclusive Australia. Anne Aly, a prominent figure in Australian politics, stated that all Australians should unite against divisive forces seeking to intimidate migrant communities.
“We stand with all Australians, no matter where they were born, against those who seek to divide us and who seek to intimidate migrant communities.” – Anne Aly
Peter Doukas, an advocate for international students, warns that public protests featuring anti-immigration sentiments could tarnish Australia’s reputation as a welcoming place for education.
“These incidents occurring around the country will cast a shadow over the brand of Australia as a safe place for international students to study.” – Peter Doukas
In this episode, Doukas sheds light on the many ways through which international students enrich Australian society and its education system. He wants these students to go home as ambassadors for Australia once they’ve completed their studies.
“You are part of our community, and you have something to contribute to our education system, and we hope to make you ambassadors of Australia to your home countries when your experience of education has finished.” – Peter Doukas
Even with these reassurances, fear remains among international students in the run up to protests this weekend. All of which has fueled concerns that dramatic public displays of divisiveness will inflame these fears and foster even more violence and hostility against immigrant communities.
That’s why a recent Ipsos survey finding that a third — 34 percent — of Australians think the country would be better off if immigration stopped is so alarming. This sobering statistic sheds light on the daunting challenges that advocates continue to grapple with in their efforts to create a more inclusive society. Moreover, it occurs amid a notable rise in anti-immigrant rhetoric and activity.
