Palestinian Australians (Arabic: فلسطينيو أستراليا, romanized: Filasṭīnīyū Ustrāliyā) are Australian citizens of Palestinian origin or Palestinian immigrants who live in Australia. The estimated population of Palestinians in Australia is over 7,000.[1][2]
The migration of Palestinians to Australia has been closely linked to geopolitical events in the Middle East. Prior to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, records of Palestinian migration to Australia are sparse. After 1948, the patterns of Palestinian migration generally mirrored significant regional conflicts and displacements. Most Palestinians arriving in Australia held passports from other Arab countries, such as Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and Kuwait, where they had initially sought refuge after leaving Palestine. This was a common occurrence due to the ongoing conflicts and displacement experienced by Palestinians.[1][3]
Key migration waves occurred following the 1948 and 1967 Arab-Israeli Wars, the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, and subsequent conflicts such as the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990) and the Gulf War in 1991. Each of these events contributed to significant increases in Palestinian migration to Australia. Additionally, individual Palestinians have arrived on work or study visas, capitalizing on opportunities for education or employment.[1][3]
Palestinian migration prior to 1948 was limited, and tracking subsequent flows has been complicated by the fact that many migrants arrived via other countries. Notably, many Palestinians may not identify as originating from 'historic Palestine' in official records due to the options available on Australian census forms, which list only 'Israel' or 'Gaza Strip and West Bank'. This under reporting is evidenced by the 2016 census, which showed only 2,932 individuals born in the Gaza Strip or West Bank, while over 13,000 identified as having Palestinian ancestry.[3]
Palestinians in Australia are often described as an 'invisible' national group, making it difficult to determine their numbers accurately. Many second and third-generation migrants retain strong connections to their cultural heritage through memory and familial narratives. However, generational divides exist, with older generations often emphasizing the preservation of Palestinian culture, while younger Palestinians may identify more with Australian culture.[3]
The majority of Palestinian Australians speak Arabic, and while many are Muslims, there is also a significant population of Christian Palestinians, primarily from Orthodox backgrounds. Additionally, some individuals have faced discrimination based on their Muslim or Arab identities, although national identity-based discrimination is less pronounced compared to other contexts.[3]
Many Palestinian Australians participate in organized sports, particularly futsal, as a means of uniting the community and fostering a sense of belonging.[4] The Palestinian Community Association (PCA) plays a pivotal role in promoting cultural activities and facilitating events that connect members of the diaspora. Players often name their teams after occupied Palestinian towns, reinforcing their cultural ties and encouraging younger generations to connect with their ancestry. The community is largely concentrated in Melbourne, with significant populations in Dandenong, Doncaster, and Roxburgh Park, fostering a rich local network.[4]
As of the 2021 Census, the estimated population of Palestinians in Australia is approximately 15,607 individuals, with 2,959 respondents identifying as having been born in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, official government records may not accurately reflect the total number of Palestinians residing in Australia.[5]
Geographically, the majority of the Palestinian community in Australia resides in New South Wales (53.3%), followed by Victoria (26.6%), Western Australia (7.1%), and Queensland (5.3%). Migration patterns show that 64.9% of Palestinians arrived in Australia prior to 2000, while more recent arrivals occurred mainly between 2011 and 2020 (18.2%).[5]
Arabic is the predominant language spoken at home, with 79.2% of the population using it, while 14.2% speak English. Among those who speak a language other than English at home, 80.8% report fluency in English.[5]
The religious affiliations among Palestinian Australians are diverse: 49.4% are Muslim, 17.4% are Eastern Orthodox, and 14.9% are Roman Catholic, with 5.3% identifying as having no religion. Ancestry data from the 2021 Census reveals that 52.8% of respondents identified as Palestinian, 20.1% as Arab, and smaller percentages as German (4.6%) and English (4.1%).[5]
In terms of gender distribution, 53.9% of the population identifies as male and 46.1% as female.[5] The Gaza Strip and West Bank-born population in Australia had a median age of 62 years, significantly higher than the median ages of 44 years for all overseas-born individuals and 38 years for the total Australian population. In terms of gender distribution, 55.9% were male (1,640) and 44.0% were female (1,290), resulting in a sex ratio of 127 males for every 100 females.[6]
In terms of education, 54.0% of Gaza Strip and West Bank-born individuals aged 15 years and older held some form of higher non-school qualification, which is slightly lower than the Australian average of 60.1%. The unemployment rate for this group was 14.0%, significantly higher than the national average of 6.9%.[6]
According to the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand, and the Pacific, a significant majority of Palestinians who have settled in Australia possess educational qualifications beyond primary or secondary school, with 80% holding at least one qualification and 73% having obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher.[7]
The most prevalent professional fields among these individuals are engineering, science and technical roles, as well as medical and health professions. Access to work rights is typically granted only once individuals transition to a bridging visa. In New South Wales, 75% of Palestinian newcomers have obtained a bridging visa, while 2% hold a Class C bridging visa and 23% remain on a visitor visa. Recently, the federal government expanded access to Medicare for certain visa holders, specifically those with two subclasses of bridging visa E who have been granted work rights.[7]
Many Palestinian Australians retain a strong emotional connection to their homeland and often express a desire to return or visit without compromising their safety. Political engagement is common, although some may choose to avoid public activism due to concerns about potential backlash. While the Australian government does not officially recognize the State of Palestine, it supports a two-state solution, a stance that continues to shape the political landscape for Palestinians in Australia.[3]
In recent years, the Palestinian Australian community has faced significant challenges related to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.[8][9][10][11][12] As of August 2024, Amnesty International criticized the Australian government's refusal to grant asylum to over 7,000 Palestinians fleeing Gaza.[13]
Protests, such as those by the Renegade Activists group in September 2024, have drawn attention to these issues, criticizing Australia's perceived complicity in the conflict and advocating for a more compassionate approach to Palestinian refugees.[14]
In response to rising tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian advocacy, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to criminalize doxing following the ‘Z600 breach,’ which leaked the names of 600 individuals in the creative industries. This breach included transcripts revealing coordinated attacks against Palestine supporters.[15]
Despite support from community organizations, many Palestinian Australians continue to face significant obstacles, including inadequate pathways to permanent residency and limited access to support services, underscoring the need for a reassessment of Australia's humanitarian policies regarding Palestinian refugees.[8][9][16][17]
The topic of Palestinian individuals fleeing Gaza and their potential impact on Australia's national security has become a contentious issue in Australian politics. Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has proposed a complete ban on visas for Palestinians, citing concerns over national security. He expressed his belief that allowing people from a conflict zone poses significant risks to Australia.[18]
In the initial three months of the Israel-Gaza conflict, approximately 160 Palestinians were denied visitor visas to Australia, primarily due to doubts about their intention to return home after a temporary stay. Official responses indicated that 150 Palestinian applicants were rejected on the grounds of not demonstrating a genuine intention to leave Australia, a decision criticized by several senators as lacking compassion.[19]
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has imposed stringent visa restrictions for Palestinians, exacerbating their difficulties by limiting access to permanent protection and essential services.[20][17][16]
Between October 7 of the previous year and August 12, Australia granted a total of 2,922 visas to individuals from the Palestinian territories.[7] Most of these visas are granted to family members of Australian citizens, although only about 1,300 individuals have successfully arrived in Australia.[21] A report indicates that a majority of recent arrivals from Gaza hold higher education degrees, with many working in skilled professions.[21] Upon arrival, they entered on visitor visas, which do not provide access to healthcare, income support, or employment opportunities.[7] The Department of Home Affairs reported that from October 7 to August 12, a total of 10,033 visa applications were submitted by Palestinians, with a mere 29% being approved. [18]
A number of Palestinians who recently escaped Gaza are facing unexpected visa cancellations from Australia, resulting in their being stranded abroad. Between October 7 and February 6, the Australian government issued a total of 2,273 temporary (subclass 600) visas to Palestinians with ties to Australia, according to the Department of Home Affairs. Holders of these temporary visas are restricted from working and do not have access to education or healthcare in Australia.[22]
A significant number of Palestinians who recently arrived in Australia from Gaza are seeking asylum due to the expiration of their short-term tourist visas. Following the increase in arrivals, individuals from the Palestinian Authority have become the second largest group applying for protection in Australia, just behind Chinese nationals.[23]
Since October, over 749 holders of Palestinian Authority passports have filed for asylum after the Australian government began issuing tourist visas to those fleeing Gaza. Currently, the Australian federal government is deliberating on potential long-term solutions for the Palestinian asylum seekers.[23]
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