Most Palestinians arriving in Australia held passports from other Arab countries, such as Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and Kuwait, where they had initially sought refuge after leaving Palestine.
Notably, many Palestinians may not identify as originating from 'historic Palestine' in official records due to the options available on Australian census forms, which list only 'Israel' or 'Gaza Strip and West Bank'.
[4] The Palestinian Community Association (PCA) plays a pivotal role in promoting cultural activities and facilitating events that connect members of the diaspora.
Players often name their teams after occupied Palestinian towns, reinforcing their cultural ties and encouraging younger generations to connect with their ancestry.
[6] In terms of education, 54.0% of Gaza Strip and West Bank-born individuals aged 15 years and older held some form of higher non-school qualification, which is slightly lower than the Australian average of 60.1%.
While the Australian government does not officially recognize the State of Palestine, it supports a two-state solution, a stance that continues to shape the political landscape for Palestinians in Australia.
[13] Protests, such as those by the Renegade Activists group in September 2024, have drawn attention to these issues, criticizing Australia's perceived complicity in the conflict and advocating for a more compassionate approach to Palestinian refugees.
[14] In response to rising tensions surrounding pro-Palestinian advocacy, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to criminalize doxing following the ‘Z600 breach,’ which leaked the names of 600 individuals in the creative industries.
[18] In the initial three months of the Israel-Gaza conflict, approximately 160 Palestinians were denied visitor visas to Australia, primarily due to doubts about their intention to return home after a temporary stay.
Official responses indicated that 150 Palestinian applicants were rejected on the grounds of not demonstrating a genuine intention to leave Australia, a decision criticized by several senators as lacking compassion.
[19] The Australian Department of Home Affairs has imposed stringent visa restrictions for Palestinians, exacerbating their difficulties by limiting access to permanent protection and essential services.
Between October 7 and February 6, the Australian government issued a total of 2,273 temporary (subclass 600) visas to Palestinians with ties to Australia, according to the Department of Home Affairs.
[23] Since October, over 749 holders of Palestinian Authority passports have filed for asylum after the Australian government began issuing tourist visas to those fleeing Gaza.