Life for Chinese labourers in Australia before the 1850s. Image from National Museum of Australia
The history of Chinese Australians provides a unique chapter in the history of Australia. The earliest contact with Australia appears of searching the Australian coastline for sandalwood and sea cucumbers. During Australian Gold Rush, large number of Australians made their way to Australia.
Before the 1850s, Chinese labourers faced harsh conditions and physical hardship in Australia. While in Australia, Chinese labourers would walk along a winding country road in search of work and cleared bushland for farming.
According to 2011 census Chinese ancestry make up four percent of Australian population. Mak Sai Ying is the earliest known Chinese immigrant to arrive in Sydney.
Chinese settlement plays an important part in the unique heritage of New South Wales. Read stories of Chinese who called Parramatta their home.
