The Chinese presence and influence in Australia has a history dating from the 1750's and probably earlier. With the discovery of gold in Victoria and the lure of wealth and prosperity; combined with the environmental, political and economic conditions in China which lead to an increase in the Chinese population from the 1850's reaching approximately 50,000. At the same time from the 1850's there was pressure on the Government to restrict the number of Chinese coming to Australia which resulted in the Immigration Restriction Act 1901. Despite the introduction of this Act the Chinese community participated in the celebrations held in Melbourne for the opening of the first Federal Parliament. The Argus gives a lively report on the Chinese procession at the opening of the first Federal Parliament. The Chinese continued travelling to and from Australia for business and family connections, however the Chinese population fell from about 35,000 in 1901 to under 10,000 in 1947. During the 1950's and 60's there was a gradual easing of the Immigration Restriction Act and by the 1990's there were approximately 450,000 people of Chinese background in Australia.
For more information about Chinese History and Culture visit these websites.
Chinese Heritage of Australian Federation
Finding Chinese family connections in the National Archives.
The Tiger's Mouth