Leslie Massey
Australia has a long history of people seeking asylum and refuge within its borders. The first recorded instance of asylum seekers arriving in Australia via boat occurred in April 1976, with an estimated 2,000 Vietnamese refugees arriving between 1976 and 1982. In 2011, Australia received 2.5% of the world's asylum claims, with over 17,000 arriving by boat in 2012. The number of asylum seekers arriving by boat has fluctuated over the years, with various policies and measures implemented to manage the influx. While Australia has been a destination for those seeking safety and a better life, its approach to asylum seekers has evolved, with a focus on border protection and deterring dangerous journeys.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of first recorded instance of asylum seekers arriving in Australia via unauthorised boat | 1976 |
| Number of Vietnamese "boat people" arriving in Australia between 1976 and 1982 | 2,000 |
| Number of Vietnamese people permanently resettled in Australia by 1982 | 60,000 |
| Total number of migrants from Vietnam since 1982 | 200,000+ |
| Number of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat in 2007-08 | 25 |
| Number of immigrants under asylum laws in 2008 | 161 |
| Number of asylum claims in 2009 | 2,800 |
| Number of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat in 2009-10 | 5,000 |
| Number of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat in 2011-12 | Not specified; more than those arriving by plane |
| Number of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat in 2012 | 17,000 |
| Number of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat between July 2012 and July 2013 | 25,173 |
| Number of maritime arrivals in 2014 | 157 |
| Number of maritime arrivals in 2015 | 0 |
| Number of people living in Australia in July 2019 who are ineligible for permanent residency because they came to the country by boat before 2014 | 30,000 |
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What You'll Learn
Australia's first 'boat people'
Australia has a long history of immigration, with the First Fleet of 11 ships arriving in 1788, carrying over 1,400 convicts, marines, sailors, colonial officials, and free settlers from Britain. This marked the beginning of European colonisation in Australia and changed the lives of the indigenous Eora people, the traditional owners of the land in the Sydney area.
The First Fleet, commanded by Captain Arthur Phillip, encountered Indigenous Australians when they landed at Botany Bay, later establishing the first British settlement in Australia at Sydney Cove, now known as Circular Quay. The colony of New South Wales was founded as a penal colony, and waves of convict transportation continued until 1868. The arrival of the First Fleet is considered a defining moment in Australian history, impacting the country's national identity and sparking ongoing waves of immigration.
In the 1880s, steamers regularly travelled to Western Australia, with Fremantle becoming a major international port after 1900. The discovery of gold in Victoria in the 1850s attracted thousands of hopeful migrants, significantly shaping the country's demographic landscape.
More recently, Australia has experienced waves of asylum seekers arriving by boat. The first recorded instance occurred in April 1976, with an influx of "Vietnamese boat people" fleeing South Vietnam after the Communist Party victory of 1975. Between 1976 and 1982, an estimated 2,000 Vietnamese people arrived by boat.
In 2011-2012, asylum seekers arriving by boat outnumbered those arriving by plane for the first time. During this period, over 17,000 asylum seekers arrived, mainly from Afghanistan, Iran, and Sri Lanka. Australia's asylum policies, including mandatory detention and offshore processing, have been highly contentious, with ongoing debates around border control and the safety of those attempting the journey.
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'Boat turnbacks' and 'takebacks'
Australia has long been a destination for people seeking asylum, with the first recorded instance of asylum seekers arriving via unauthorised boat occurring in April 1976. Between 1976 and 1982, an estimated 2,000 "Vietnamese boat people" arrived in Australia. This was the first of three waves of asylum seekers arriving by boat, followed by Indochinese asylum seekers from 1989 to 1998, and people of Middle Eastern origin from 1999.
In 2001, following the Tampa incident, Australia introduced the policy of turning back boats, which became known as Operation Relex. Between 2001 and 2003, five boats carrying a total of 614 passengers were turned back. This policy was succeeded by Operation Relex II, which ended in July 2006.
In 2011-2012, asylum seekers arriving by boat outnumbered those arriving by plane for the first time, with over 17,000 asylum seekers arriving via boat. The majority of these refugees came from Afghanistan, Iran, and Sri Lanka. During this time, Australia was one of two nation-states that employed a policy of shifting potential asylum seekers to other countries for processing.
In 2013, Operation Sovereign Borders was implemented, which included the practice of turning back boats. The first turnbacks under this operation began on December 17, 2013, coinciding more closely with the drop in boat arrivals than the introduction of the offshoring policy in 2012. While it is difficult to attribute the decline in boat arrivals to any one policy, official figures show that 1,241 people either reached Australia or were turned back between September and December 2013, indicating a potential impact of the turnback and takeback policy.
The impact of turnback and takeback policies on asylum seekers is significant. While the Australian government considers these policies necessary to deter dangerous journeys and reduce illegal migration, critics argue that the practice of escorting boats out of Australian waters puts asylum seekers at risk. Additionally, the offshore processing of asylum seekers has been criticised as "inhumane" and a violation of human rights.
In conclusion, Australia's boat turnback and takeback policies have been a contentious issue, with conflicting views on their effectiveness and ethical implications. While these policies may have contributed to a decline in boat arrivals, alternative explanations cannot be ruled out, and concerns have been raised regarding their impact on the safety and human rights of asylum seekers.
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Three waves of asylum seekers
Australia has a long history of people seeking asylum within its borders, particularly those fleeing war and persecution. The term "asylum seeker" refers to someone who is asking for refuge in another country, and if granted, they are given refugee status.
The Vietnamese (1976-1981)
The first recorded instance of asylum seekers arriving in Australia via unauthorised boat occurred in April 1976. An estimated 2,000 Vietnamese people fled to Australia between 1976 and 1982, with some sources stating this continued until 1981. They were escaping the Communist Party victory of 1975 and were known as "boat people". While they were quietly resettled, their modern-day counterparts face a much harsher reception. By 1982, around 60,000 Vietnamese people had been permanently resettled in Australia, and more than 200,000 have migrated from Vietnam since.
The Indochinese (1989-1998)
After the 1977 election, Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser agreed to accept a large number of refugees from Indochina, despite public opposition. This wave of asylum seekers lasted until 1998.
People of Middle Eastern origin (from 1999)
The third wave of asylum seekers originated from the Middle East and began arriving in 1999. The majority of refugees in 2012 came from Afghanistan, Iran, and Sri Lanka.
Australia's asylum policy is a contentious issue, with the two major political parties arguing that it concerns border control and the safety of those travelling by boat. Australia is the only country with a policy of mandatory detention and offshore processing of asylum seekers without valid visas.
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The impact of offshore processing
Australia has a controversial policy of offshore processing of asylum seekers, which has been dubbed "racist" and "inhumane". The policy involves sending people who arrive in Australia by boat to another country, such as Nauru or Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, to process their refugee claims. This policy was first implemented in 2001 and was formalised through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with Nauru and Papua New Guinea. Offshore processing was employed as a deterrent, with the Australian government aiming to send the message that "illegal boat arrivals are not welcome".
The cost of offshore processing is also significant, with the total budget for the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (including offshore processing) reaching $3.96 billion in 2016-17. This figure does not include the cost of military and naval missions focused on boat turnbacks, which can cost upwards of $1 billion.
In addition to the human and financial costs, offshore processing has also had legal implications. Australia is responsible for protecting refugees under international law, yet its policy of offshore processing has been criticised as a violation of the principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning asylum seekers to countries where their human rights may be threatened.
The influence of Australia's deterrence-based asylum policy has spread globally, with countries like the UK and Denmark considering similar schemes. However, these schemes have also faced backlash and legal challenges, with critics arguing that they are racist and violate human rights and the rule of law.
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Australia's hard-line approach
Australia has a long history of immigration, dating back to the first direct overseas immigrant ships arriving in Melbourne in 1838. Immigration is a vital feature of Australia's history and national identity. However, in recent years, the country has taken a hard-line approach to asylum seekers arriving by boat.
The term "boat people" refers to refugees or asylum seekers who arrive in Australia by boat, often fleeing war, persecution, discrimination, torture, or death in their home countries. The first recorded instance of asylum seekers arriving in Australia by boat occurred in April 1976 when a small fishing boat carrying five young Vietnamese refugees sailed into Darwin harbour. Between 1976 and 1982, an estimated 2,000 Vietnamese "boat people" arrived in Australia. During this time, the national media and political class largely met these arrivals with indifference, and the refugees were quietly resettled in the community.
However, Australia's approach to boat arrivals has since changed significantly. The country now has a strict policy of border protection, which includes mandatory detention and offshore processing of asylum seekers who arrive without valid visas. This approach has been criticised as inhumane and a violation of human rights. In 2019, it was estimated that there were about 30,000 people living in Australia who were ineligible for permanent residency because they had arrived by boat before 2014. Many of these individuals face challenges such as poverty and mental health issues due to their uncertain status.
Additionally, Australia is one of two nations that employ a policy of shifting potential asylum seekers to other countries for processing. This approach has been controversial, with critics arguing that it prioritises border control over the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals seeking refuge.
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Frequently asked questions
25 asylum seekers travelled to Australia by boat in the 2007–08 financial year.
More than 17,000 asylum seekers arrived in Australia by boat in 2012.
An estimated 2,000 Vietnamese boat people came to Australia between 1976 and 1982. By 1982, some 60,000 Vietnamese people had been permanently resettled in Australia.
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