Early Chinese Arrivals
The very first Chinese migrants came to Australia as a cheaper alternative to convict labour and transportation. Only a few of the Chinese migrants that arrived in Australia were merchants, shopkeepers, lodging home managers or herbalists.
Drugs and gambling were already present within the colony during the 1800s. Drug use had increased exponentially as opium was introduced to the colonists. After the discovery of gold on the goldfields, Chinese migration fluctuated from 2,341 Chinese migrants in early 1855 to over 10,000 only 6 months down the track.