Meitei Australians

The Meitei people (ꯃꯩꯇꯩ ꯃꯤꯌꯥꯝ), also known as the Manipuris (ꯃꯅꯤꯄꯨꯔꯤ ꯀꯥꯡꯂꯨꯞ), originating from the northeastern Indian state of Manipur and parts of Bangladesh with Meitei population, constitute a small but growing diaspora in Australia. Migration to Australia began in the late 20th and early 21st centuries, primarily for purposes of higher education, skilled employment, and family reunification. Concentrated in urban centers such as Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane, the Meitei community maintains aspects of its linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions while adapting to the sociocultural environment of Australia. Community organizations and informal networks support cultural continuity and social integration within the broader multicultural framework of the country.

The Australian Meitei diaspora comprises individuals across different generational cohorts, including established residents who have lived in Australia for over a decade, as well as recent arrivals such as international students. The community is characterized by a dual sense of belonging, maintaining cultural and social connections to their place of origin in India while adapting to life in Australia.