Summary
Australia is home to more than 213,000 Nepal-born residents as of June 2025 — a community that has grown more than fivefold in a decade, making the Nepali community Australia one of the fastest-growing migrant communities in the country; the Nepali community is Victoria’s fastest-growing migrant population
Melbourne and Sydney are home to the largest Nepali communities — with Auburn and Hurstville the main Sydney hubs; Melbourne’s Nepali community is spread across the north-eastern and western suburbs; Brisbane and Adelaide are growing rapidly
Remittances from Australia to Nepal are a vital economic lifeline — Nepali Australians send billions of rupees home each year to support families, fund education, build homes and contribute to community events; AUD to NPR transfers are fee-free with OrbitRemit
Nepal and Australia are separated by 10,000 kilometres — but the connection between the two countries has never been stronger. In just over a decade, Australia has become one of the most significant destinations for Nepali migrants in the world, with a Nepali community Australia that has grown from roughly 42,900 in 2014 to more than 213,000 Nepal-born residents by June 2025.
This is the story of how that community grew, where it lives, what it values and how it stays connected to Nepal.
How the Nepali community grew
The growth of Australia’s Nepali community is one of the most remarkable demographic stories in recent Australian immigration history.
Before 1990, only a small number of highly qualified Nepalis — mostly scholarship recipients and skilled migrants — had made it to Australia. The numbers remained modest through the 1990s and early 2000s.
The inflection point came in the mid-2000s, driven by several converging factors: the end of Nepal’s decade-long Maoist insurgency (1996-2006) which had created economic instability and pushed educated Nepalis to look abroad; the expansion of Australia’s student visa pathways which opened doors for tens of thousands of Nepali students; and the growth of the Nepali diaspora network in Australia which made settlement easier for new arrivals who came after.
The period between 2016 and 2021 was the single most significant phase in the community’s formation — accounting for 58.5% of the entire current Nepal-born population. International students were the primary driver, followed by skilled workers and family reunion.
By June 2025, 213,580 Nepal-born people called Australia home — a fourfold increase in just over a decade.
Where Nepali Australians live
Sydney and New South Wales
New South Wales has the largest Nepal-born population of any state — 64,946 Nepal-born people as of the most recent data. Within Sydney, the community is concentrated in the inner west and south-west.
Auburn — the suburb in Sydney where the majority of Nepali residents live. Dense Nepali grocery stores, restaurants, remittance services and community organisations are concentrated along Auburn Road and the surrounding streets.
Hurstville — another major Sydney hub for the Nepali community, approximately 5km from Rockdale (a previously popular area that has since seen the community spread outward).
As Nepali-Australians settle permanently, many have moved to outer suburbs including Minto, Schofields and Marsden Park in western Sydney, where housing is more affordable.
Melbourne and Victoria
Victoria’s Nepali community is the fastest-growing migrant population in the state — a distinction it has held for over a decade. Since 2011, the number of Nepal-born migrants in Melbourne has more than quadrupled.
Melbourne’s Nepali community is more spread than Sydney’s — concentrated across the north-eastern suburbs (Bundoora, Heidelberg, Ivanhoe — in the City of Banyule) and the western suburbs. La Trobe University’s Bundoora campus has a significant Nepali student population which has seeded strong community networks in the north-east.
Brisbane and Queensland
Brisbane’s Nepali community has grown rapidly in the past five years, driven by students attending Queensland universities and skilled migrants in healthcare and construction. The south-side suburbs and areas near major universities are the main hubs.
Adelaide, Perth and other cities
Both Adelaide and Perth have growing Nepali communities, with many Nepali students choosing regional universities to access the additional residency points that regional study provides. Tasmania’s Nepali community — though small in absolute terms — is notable: Nepali is the third most frequently spoken household language in Tasmania after English and Mandarin, due to the Bhutanese Nepali-speaking community settled there through refugee resettlement programs.
Who the Nepali-Australian community is
The Nepali-Australian community is notable for its educational profile. Among Nepal-born people in Australia, 52.1% of those aged 15 and over hold a bachelor’s degree or higher — one of the highest rates of tertiary education among all migrant communities in Australia.
The community is diverse in religion — majority Hindu, with significant Buddhist, Kirant Mundhum and Christian minorities. Many Bhutanese Nepali speakers — ethnic Nepalis who were expelled from Bhutan and resettled in Australia as refugees — are also part of the broader Nepali-speaking community.
Key sectors of employment: Healthcare and nursing, IT and software, hospitality, aged care, disability support, education and construction. Many Nepali students work in hospitality and retail during their studies before transitioning to skilled employment after graduation.
Community organisations and culture
The Nepali-Australian community maintains strong cultural connections through:
Religious observance: Hindu temples and Buddhist centres across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane hold regular puja, festivals and community events. Major festivals — Dashain, Tihar, Holi, Teej and Buddha Jayanti — are celebrated collectively with significant community gatherings.
Community organisations: The Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Australia chapter is one of the most active diaspora organisations, coordinating community events, advocacy and links with Nepal. City-specific organisations exist in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Media: Nepali-language radio programmes on community stations, Nepali-language YouTube channels and Facebook groups keep the community connected to news and culture from Nepal.
Sports: Cricket is a strong connector — the Nepali community has established cricket clubs across Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
Nepali food in Australia: what to eat and where
Nepali cuisine has grown significantly in Australian cities over the past decade — driven by the community’s rapid growth and a broader Australian appetite for Himalayan flavours. The centrepiece of Nepali food culture is the momo — a steamed or fried dumpling stuffed with meat or vegetables — which has become one of the most recognisable Nepali dishes in Australia.
The essential Nepali dishes to know
Momos — Nepal’s most beloved snack and the most ordered dish at Nepali restaurants across Australia. Small dumplings (steamed, fried or pan-fried) stuffed with minced buffalo, chicken, pork, lamb or vegetables. Served with a spiced tomato and sesame chutney (achar). Every Nepali restaurant has its own version — and every Nepali in Australia has an opinion on whose is best.
Dal Bhat Tarkari — the national meal. A complete plate of steamed rice (bhat), lentil soup (dal) and vegetable curry (tarkari). Accompanied by papad, pickle and often a meat side. Simple, nutritious and deeply comforting. Most Nepali households eat some version of dal bhat twice a day.
Sekuwa — Nepali-style barbecued meat, marinated in ginger, garlic, cumin and timur (Sichuan pepper), then grilled. Buff (buffalo), chicken and pork are the most common. Smoky, spiced and served with beaten rice (chiura).
Sel Roti — a sweet, crispy ring-shaped rice bread deep-fried in oil. Made during Dashain and Tihar festivals; also available at Nepali restaurants and bakeries year-round in Sydney and Melbourne.
Thukpa — Tibetan-influenced noodle soup, popular across the Himalayan region. Hearty broth with noodles, vegetables and meat. Common on Nepali restaurant menus in Australia.
Gundruk — fermented, dried leafy greens — a distinctly Nepali flavour that divides opinion among non-Nepali diners but is deeply nostalgic for the community.
Chiya — Nepali-style milk tea, brewed with ginger, cardamom and spices. Similar to masala chai but with its own character. Found at Nepali cafés and community gatherings across Australia.
Nepali restaurants across Australia
Sydney
The Muglan — 116 Liverpool Street, Sydney
CBD One of Sydney’s most established Nepali restaurants, serving the city since 2011. Known for generous portions, consistent quality and an extensive menu — momos, curries, sekuwa, dal bhat and more. Must order: Buff Momo and Goat Curry.
Falcha — 7-9 Wilmot Street, Sydney CBD
One of Sydney’s most popular Nepali restaurants, named after the rest houses of the Kathmandu Valley. Strong reputation for authentic flavours and a welcoming atmosphere.
Mul Chowk Kitchen — 66 Evaline Street, Campsie
A community favourite in Sydney’s south-west since 2017. Named after the historic royal courtyard in Bhaktapur. Strong Newari influence — dal bhat, khaja sets, sekuwa and excellent momos. Must order: Dal Bhat Thali and Chicken Sekuwa.
Chulho — 59-61 Wigram Street, Harris Park, Parramatta
In Sydney’s South Asian food hub, Chulho draws a loyal crowd from the large Nepali community in Parramatta and surrounds. Authentic Nepali and Indian cuisine in a welcoming, unpretentious setting.
Nepali Eatery at Strathfield Hotel — 11 The Boulevarde, Strathfield
The bistro inside the Strathfield Hotel has gone Nepali — a community discovery that quickly became a regular gathering spot. Authentic street-food style Nepali dishes, live music nightly from 7pm to 10pm and the convenience of a full pub setting. Located directly opposite Strathfield Railway Station. One of the few Nepali dining experiences in Australia with a live music programme every night of the week.
Namaste Nepali and Indian Restaurant — 24/45 The Boulevarde, Strathfield
One of Sydney’s most consistent Nepali restaurants with four outlets across the city (Strathfield, Ashfield, Hurstville and Sydney CBD). Known for generous portions, affordable prices and crowd-favourite dishes. Must order: Buff Sukuti Set, Chicken Chilli Momo and Keema Noodles.
Mayalu Streetfoods — Strathfield A celebrated Nepali street food spot known for its traditional clay pot tea (madka chiya), chatpatey, juju dhau (the famous Bhaktapur yoghurt) and freshly made momos. One of the most authentic Nepali street food experiences in Sydney.
Shubhakamana Restaurant — Strathfield Authentic Nepali cuisine in the heart of Strathfield — one of the area’s most established Nepali restaurants with a strong community following.
Mithho Nepalese Cuisine — Vaughan Street, Lidcombe
One of Sydney’s most loved Nepali restaurants. Located in Lidcombe — close to the Nepali community hub in Auburn — Mithho is known for its Thakali Khana Set, Darjeeling Momo, Mustang Aloo and Buff Sukuti. Reviews consistently praise the warmth of service and the depth of authentic flavour. Must order: Darjeeling Momo, Thakali Khana Set and Mustang Aloo.
Yummy Laphing — East Street, Granville
A local favourite for authentic Nepali and Tibetan street food. Best known for freshly prepared laphing (a spiced, chilled mung bean noodle dish — a popular Tibetan-influenced street snack).
Yak & Yeti — Neutral Bay
Known for its dessert menu including gulab jamun and the broader Himalayan dining experience in Sydney’s north.
Melbourne
Old Durbar — Sydney Road, Brunswick (multiple locations)
Melbourne’s benchmark Nepali restaurant — widely recognised for deeply authentic Nepalese flavours and consistency across locations. Seating capacity of over 130 people. The flavours are bold but controlled; the menu reflects genuine Nepali cooking rather than a simplified version. Named after Kathmandu’s Durbar Square — the historic royal plaza. Must order: Buff Sekuwa and Newari Khaja Set.
Kathmandu Momo House — Melbourne
A strong reputation for some of the most satisfying momos in Melbourne. The hero dish, but the broader menu reflects classic Nepali comfort food done well.
Momo Central — Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
An authentic Nepali restaurant in the heart of the CBD — fast, affordable and consistently good momos for a city lunch.
Aangan Nepalese & Indian Restaurant — Melbourne Bridges
Nepali and North Indian cuisines, with Nepalese offerings that stand out for depth and authenticity. A good choice for groups where some diners are new to Nepali food.
Gurkha’s — Sydney Road, Brunswick
A home for chilli lovers. The chilli green prawns and tandruk chicken curry are highlights. Vegetarians should try the aloo rayo (Nepali spinach and potatoes sautéed in dry chillies).
Base Camp Nepalese Kitchen — Melbourne
Leans into Himalayan identity — trekking-inspired décor, hearty Himalayan dishes and a strong community following.
Brisbane
Brisbane’s Nepali dining scene is smaller but growing. Check local community Facebook groups and Google Maps for current listings in the south-side suburbs and near major universities.
Gold Coast
Kathmandu MoMo House & Bar — Surfers Paradise
Open until 1am with a full bar — one of the few Nepali venues in Australia with a late-night bar offer. Popular with the community and tourists alike.
Adelaide
Namaste Nepalese Restaurant — Adelaide Established in 2003 — one of the first dedicated Nepali restaurants in South Australia. A long-standing community institution.
Canberra
Chomolungma — Canberra
Named after the Nepali name for Mount Everest. Run by Chef Raju Tamang, known for vegan and gluten-free friendly Nepali dishes. A community favourite in the ACT.
Major Nepali festivals celebrated in Australia
Dashain (October): Nepal’s most important festival — a 15-day celebration of Goddess Durga’s victory over evil. Families gather, elders bless younger family members with tika (red clay mark on the forehead) and jamara (barley grass), and special foods are prepared. In Australia, community tika ceremonies are held in each city where elders of the community bless those present.
Tihar (October/November): A five-day festival of lights — each day dedicated to a different being (crows, dogs, cows, oxen, brothers). Equivalent in some ways to Diwali. Houses are decorated with oil lamps and marigold garlands. Bhai Tika (the final day) is a sibling celebration similar to Raksha Bandhan.
Teej (August): A festival primarily for women — fasting, prayers to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, wearing red sarees and gold jewellery, singing and dancing traditional Teej songs. Widely observed by Nepali women in Australia.
Holi (March): The festival of colours — celebrated vigorously in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane with organised community events involving coloured powder and water.
Buddha Jayanti (May): Celebration of the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha — particularly significant for the Nepali Buddhist community.
Sending money home to Nepal
Remittances from Nepali Australians are a vital part of many Nepali family economies. According to the IIDS report (May 2026), remittances are used primarily for daily household expenses, education, home construction, healthcare and community events.
AUD to NPR with OrbitRemit:
AUD to NPR transfers are fee-free from Australia — no transfer fee on any amount. OrbitRemit supports direct bank transfers to all major Nepali banks including Nepal Bank Limited, Rastriya Banijya Bank, NABIL Bank, Everest Bank, NIC Asia, Global IME Bank and more. Mobile wallet delivery is also available for eSewa, IME Pay and Khalti.
What it means for your transfers:
Over 85% of transfers to Nepal arrive within 2 hours. The rate is locked at the moment you confirm — no hidden margin, no weekend surcharges.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
How many Nepali people live in Australia?
More than 213,000 Nepal-born people lived in Australia as of June 2025, according to the IIDS Nepali Diaspora in Australia report (May 2026). Including Australian-born people of Nepali ancestry, the total Nepali-heritage population is higher.
Which Australian city has the most Nepali people?
Sydney (New South Wales) has the largest Nepal-born population by state — 64,946 as of the most recent data. Melbourne’s Nepali community is Victoria’s fastest-growing migrant population. Within Sydney, Auburn has the highest concentration of Nepali residents.
What languages do Nepali Australians speak?
Nepali is the primary community language, along with Maithili, Newari and other Nepali regional languages. English proficiency is high — 93.8% of Nepali speakers in NSW speak English well or very well.
What religion do most Nepali Australians follow?
The majority are Hindu, with significant Buddhist, Kirant Mundhum and Christian minorities. The Bhutanese Nepali-speaking community includes both Hindus and Christians.
How do I send money to Nepal from Australia?
OrbitRemit supports fee-free AUD to NPR transfers from Australia, with delivery to all major Nepali banks and mobile wallets including eSewa, IME Pay and Khalti. Visit orbitremit.com/nepal for current rates.
This guide is for general information only. Population figures are based on the IIDS Nepali Diaspora in Australia report (May 2026), NSW Government data (April 2026) and Wikipedia (2021 Census). Last updated August 2026.
Sources: IIDS — Nepali Diaspora in Australia (May 2026) | NSW Government — Nepali community mental health profile (April 2026) | Live in Melbourne — Nepalese community (liveinmelbourne.vic.gov.au) | Cultural Atlas SBS — Nepalis in Australia (culturalatlas.sbs.com.au) | Wikipedia — Nepalese Australians | nepalipage.com — Nepalese in Australia (October 2025)
