Ethnic, Religious and Political Groups from Turkey in Australia

The composition and history of the Turkey-originated diaspora in Australia is described in this chapter, outlining the beginnings of these diaspora communities in Australia in the post-war period, and its subsequent growth after the cessation of the White Australia Policy. The chapter then describes the early migrants from Turkey who arrived as temporary labourers and guest workers in Australia, but eventually settled, became citizens, and in many cases had families. Later migration trends will also be discussed, noting different attitudes and levels of acceptance in migrants towards their new homeland. The different ethnic and religious backgrounds of Turkey-originated migrants in Australia are detailed, describing how the diaspora that is not only made up of ethnic Turks and Sunni Muslims but also Kurds, Armenians and non-Sunni Muslims (Alevis).