1860 – Chinese immigrants take advantage of the gold rush occurring in Australia. This causes the European miners to become mad as the Chinese are taking what they believe is their gold.

1888 – Tensions continue over the presence of Chinese immigrants in Australia so it is decided that they will be restricted from entering (except in Tasmania).

1901 – The White Australia Policy was passed.

WW2 – German Jews flee to Australia to avoid persecution but not all are allowed access as some were viewed as ‘aliens’. Australia assists British settlers with their migration to Australia. 

1945– Australia encourages immigration into Australia after the war through a program called ‘populate to perish’.

1947 – The White Australia Policy has its first challenge after non-European immigrants are allowed in Australia if it’s for business reasons or if they had been in Australia for 15 years.

1958 – The dictation test is abolished and a simpler entry system is put into place.

1966 – The minister for Immigration effectively ends the White Australia Policy by announcing settlers will be considered entry based of their suitability, ability to integrate and their qualifications useful to Australia.

1972 – The White Australia Policy is formally abolished by the Whitlam Government.

1975 – A racial discrimination act is created making racial discrimination illegal.

1976-1982 – Refugees from Vietnam arrive in Australia bringing on the term ‘boat people’. Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser supports immigration to camps in Malaysia, Hong Kong and Thailand.

1989 – More refugees from Cambodia, Vietnam and Southern China arrive in Australia.

1992 – A new policy is introduced that demands that refugees without valid visas are sent to a detention camp.

1999 – Refugees from the Middle East arrive in Australia. 

2001 – The ‘Pacific Solution’ is created. This policy means that asylum seekers must go to detention camps on island nations in the Pacific Ocean to be processed rather than coming to Australia to do it. 

2008 – Centres in Manus Island and Nauru are closed and all processing of asylum seekers are done solely at Christmas Island.

2012 – Thousands of asylum seekers arrive in Australia. Julia Gillard reopens the camps in Manus Island and Nauru after controversy over the treatment and safety of the refugees.