Local roots · Australia · 1788–nineteenth century
The community developed through convicts, settlers and institutions rather than one migration story.
Explore AustraliaPublished by WTJPublication updated
1788–nineteenth century
Local roots · Jewish lives begin inside the colony
The community developed through convicts, settlers and institutions rather than one migration story.
The First Fleet era
Jews were among those transported to Australia from Britain, and later migrants joined them. Their circumstances included coercion as well as choice. Jewish presence was part of the colony’s early history. Later claims of inherent foreignness ignored people already building lives there.
Communities establish public lives
Jewish residents founded congregations and participated in trade, professions and civic institutions. Their lives differed by class, background and religious practice. A community’s institutional presence made belonging visible, while inherited European stereotypes could still cast Jewish difference as suspect.
The immigration test changes the terms
Australia later developed restrictive ideas about who should enter and assimilate. Jewish refugees could be judged through anxieties about race and foreignness despite being European. Such classification put the desired national population ahead of an applicant’s need for protection.