Why Migrate to Australia
Many migrants from the Middle East such as the 'Afghan' cameleers were drawn to Australia for economic reasons. The construction of the Suez Canal in 1859 caused economic hardship for many of the migrants that were dependent on selling goods to trade ships.
There were few that were also fleeing war and persecution such as discrimination within the Ottoman Empire. Taxes imposed on non-Muslims by the Ottoman Empire restricted basic freedoms to many people, therefore many fled the countries in search of peace and equality.