Asian Australian history is the history of Asian ethnic and racial groups in Australia who trace their ancestry to Asia. The term Asian Australian, was first used in the 1950s by European Australians who wanted to strengthen diplomatic and trade ties with Asia for the benefit of the Australian community. The term was not originally used to describe or recognise the experiences of people of Asian descent living in Australia. It was only in the late 1980s and 1990s that the term "Asian Australian" was adopted and used by Asian Australians themselves to discuss issues related to racial vilification and discrimination. Today, the term "Asian Australian" is widely accepted and used to refer to people of Asian descent who are citizens or residents of Australia, though its usage and meaning may vary within the Asian Australian community.
Hostility to immigration
Hostility towards Asian immigration in Australia has a long history, dating back to the implementation of the "White Australia" policy in 1901. This policy, which was in place until 1973, consisted of laws and policies aimed at excluding non-white immigrants, particularly those from Asia, from settling in the country. Despite efforts to reform or repeal the policy over the years, the legacy of the White Australia policy and hostility towards Asian immigration has persisted in various forms, including instances of racism and discrimination towards Asian Australians
Chronology
Early immigration
4000 years ago: Indians may have made it to Australia more than 4,000 years before the British, according to evidence found in archaeology and genetics.
17th century
1606: The first recorded Filipino (a man named Ygnacio Corte-Real) arrives in Australia as a member of the crew of the Dutch ship Duyfken, which explored parts of Australia's coastline.
18th century
1788: The first recorded Chinese person, Mak Sai Ying, arrives in Australia as part of the First Fleet.
19th century
1800s: During the 19th century, Indians began to migrate to Australia as indentured labourers on sugar plantations in Queensland. 1806: The first Chinese-born person, William Ah Sing, arrives in Australia. 1817: Filipino sailors known as "Manilamen" begin to work on British and American whaling ships, including some that sail to Australia. 1823 : First recorded Nepalese migrant to Australia, Darjee Doulat, arrives in New South Wales. 1830s-1850s: Afghan traders, known as "Afghan cameleers," begin arriving in Australia to participate in the trade of goods and animals between South Australia and Western Australia 1850s: The discovery of gold in New South Wales and Victoria leads to a significant influx of Chinese immigrants to Australia. 1851: The first recorded Japanese person arrives in Australia. 1860s: Japanese pearl divers begin working in the pearling industry in Northern Australia. 1861: The Chinese Immigration Act is passed, which imposes a tax on Chinese immigrants in an effort to restrict their migration to Australia. 1878: The first Japanese embassy to Australia is established. 1880s: The first recorded arrival of Pakistanis in Australia is in the 1880s, when a small number of camel drivers, known as "Afghans," arrived in the country. These men were primarily from what is now Pakistan and Afghanistan and were hired to help explore and open up new areas of Australia. 1881: The Chinese Immigration Act is amended to exclude "all Chinese from entering the colony". 1882: The first recorded Korean immigrants to Australia arrive in the country. John Corea, a sailor from the Korean peninsula, arrives in Sydney and becomes the first known Korean Australian.
