African Diaspora in Australia

Research of the Australian Research council determined that the movement of Africans to Australia began with the First Fleet in 1788. It was the first shipment of convicts from Britain as Britain used to transport its criminals from overcrowded jails to the British colonies in the Americas but after the American Revolution the United States refused to accept prisoners. Britain decided to send the prisoners to Botany Bay, Australia. The First Fleet consisted of 11 ships and about 1500 people in all. The fleet landed at Botany Bay between 18 and 20 January 1788. Many of the Africans on these ships were freed slaves who had gone to Britain after the American revolution to later become convicts while others may have boarded the fleet when it stopped in the Cape to replenish food supplies. According to research most of the African convicts eventually earned their freedom and were given land grants and married local women. Currently Africa has increased in importance in the context of Australia’s migration programs. In 2003/04 and 2004/05 around 70% of entrants under Australia’s Humanitarian Program were from Africa, while people born in South Africa comprised the third largest group of 457 visa holders (i.e. temporary business entrants) as at 31 December 2007, this is according to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. More on the Africa Meet website