On 5 October 1967, the governments of Australia and Turkey signed an agreement to allow Turkish citizens to immigrate to Australia. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, nearly 19,000 Turkish immigrants arrived from 1968-1974. In 1967, Turkey and Australia signed a bilateral agreement on assisted migration. Under the agreement, Australia offered migration to whole families, as permanent migrants. It was also the first agreement signed with a predominantly Muslim country.
The signing of the 1967 agreement led to the launch of recruitment campaigns in Turkey, encouraging people to migrate with promises of work, open spaces, affordable housing and endless sun and surf.
Vefa Karatay (left), İmmigration Minister Billy Snedden (right), Dundar Idiz (back left), Zubeyir Bensan (middle), unknown Australian officer (back right) Source: National Archives of Australia
Around 19,000 assisted Turkish migrants arrived in Australia between 1968 and 1974 through the agreement.
It represented a significant step in the gradual dismantling of the White Australia policy after a 1966 migration review.
The policy officially ended in 1973.
Turks first began to emigrate to Australia from the island of Cyprus for work in the 1940s, and then again when Turkish Cypriots were forced to leave their homes during the Cyprus Conflict between 1963 and 1974.
They were the only Muslims acceptable under the White Australia Policy.
The first Turkish immigrants were greeted at Sydney International Airport by Turkish Cypriots whilst Turkish immigrants who moved to Melbourne were greeted at Essendon Airport by members of the Cyprus Turkish Association.
First Turkish assisted passage migrants arrive at Sydney,1968 Source: National Archives of Australia
Villawood Migrant Hostel, Sydney Source: National Archives of Australia
NERMIN USTA AND HER STORY
Nermin Usta with her family in Villawood Mıgrant Hostel, 1968, Sydney Australia Source: Courtesy by Nermin Usta
LISTEN TO
''No Smoking' yazan trenin Villawood'a gittiğini zannederdik'
SBS Turkish
08:10
YASAR KAYA AND HIS STORY
Mr Yasa Kaya is 98 years old now, he remember everything very clear the day he arrived to Australia. He was in the first fleet fom Turkey to Australia as migrant. He told us he does not know why he came to Australia. New life or Adventure?
LISTEN TO
50 yıllık Avustralya macerası
SBS Turkish
08:45
WORKING LIFE IN AUSTRALIA
Turkish migrants in working life from 1969 to 1982.
Zuhal Yaba at Malleys Ltd, Sydney, 1969 Source: National Archives of Australia
Turkish migrants helps newcomers as an interpreter and general helper Yusuf Mehtap, 1971 Source: National Archives of Australia
Turkish Child Care Centre, Flemington, Victoria,1982 Source: National Archives of Australia
NAIME ESER AND HER STORY
Turkish migrants generally settled in Sydney and Melbourne. Mrs Naime Eser arrived to Australia with her family when she was 9 years old. She remembers the hostel they stayed when they arrived to Melbourne and how was the first day in Australia.
Naime Eser (right), brother Fatih (middle) and Ayse (left) Melbourne 1970. One year since their arrival to Australia. Melbourne. Source: Courtesy by Naime Eser
LISTEN TO
'Avustralya'da yamyamlar var, gitmeyin dediler'
SBS Turkish
08:09
GULIZAR CETIN AND HER STORY
Gulizar Cetin arrived to Melbourne with her husband and 4 kids. Mrs Cetin told us how challenging it was in Australia when they arrived. She told SBS Turkish, when they went to shopping in the supermarket, they thought they were buying salt, but it was sugar.
Gulizar Cetiner arrived to Austraila 50 years ago Source: Courtesy by Gulızar Cetın
LISTEN TO
"Tuz diye aldık şeker, deterjan diye aldık un çıktı"
SBS Turkish
08:51
Today, around 60,000 Turkish speakers live in Australia -- with many more claiming Turkish ancestry.
