East Timorese Australians

East Timorese immigration to Australia began with the arrival of the first migrants from the then Portuguese Timor in 1943 during World War II.

This migration wave consisted of approximately 600 people who were evacuated from the island, of whom only 35 settled permanently after the war ended.

During the Indonesian invasion of 1975, a significant number of East Timorese fled to Darwin, situated 656 km (408 mi) from Dili.

The Australian government accepted 2,500 East Timorese refugees in 1975, primarily those of Portuguese descent.

[3] Fretilin was reported to have been active in Darwin during this time using high frequencyHF radio communication to contact comrades in Dili.