Reading is a complex skill, vital for the postgraduate student. However, many international postgraduate students experience considerable difficulty when applying their reading practices learnt in their own countries. This paper, part of a larger study, aims to provide insights into the reading practices of Indian/Bangladeshi postgraduate students while studying at an Australian university. Data were collected through case studies conducted in India and at an Australian university. Significant differences were found between the reading of general-interest text and academic text and differences were also found between the reading practices undertaken in first and third semesters. Pedagogical implications are discussed.