23 August 2024 The General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific2/44 Dalman Crescent, O’Malley ACT 2606 T (02) 6286 9193 F (02) 6286 9405E Palestinian.Delegation@palgov.org W www.palestine-australia.comArrivals from Gaza are Assets, Not Liabilities Arrivals from Gaza will enrich the Australian economy and society.

Introduction: This fact sheet is intended to provide accurate, factual and evidence-based information about recent arrivals to Australia from the Gaza Strip. It is essential to clarify the truth and counter misinformation, especially in light of the ongoing debate in Australia and recent comments made by opposition leader Mr Peter Dutton, including the claim that individuals arriving from Gaza pose a national security risk, which are not based on any credible evidence.Palestinians from Gaza have submitted thousands of visa applications to come to Australia over the past 10 months. 2,800 visa applications were accepted. Of those accepted, only 1,300 individuals (or 46.4%) have been able to successfully arrive in Australia.

• Rejected Visas: It is important to note that visa rejections have been overwhelmingly due to the Australian government’s restrictive visa policies, not due to security concerns.
  Demographic Profile
  The following figures are based on a sample of more than 230 adult individuals (aged 18 and above) who are recent arrivals from Gaza and have requested consular services from the General Delegation of Palestine in Canberra.
  Key Figures:
  ∗ 61.5% are Males; 38.5% are Females.
  ∗ 74.7% are Muslims; 25.3% are Christians.
  ∗ 80% hold at least one educational qualification beyond primary/secondary school.
  o 73% hold a Bachelor Degree or higher.
  ∗ The most common employment/occupational categories are;
  o Engineering, Science and Technical Professionals (18%)
  o Medical and Health Professionals (12%)
  Below and on the following page are comprehensive tables with a detailed breakdown of the data:
  GENDER
  %
  Females
  38.5%
  Males
  61.5%
  AGE GROUP
  %
  19-25
  16%
  26-35
  29%
  36-45
  23%
  46-55
  14%
  56-65
  12%
  66 and over
  6%
  RELIGION
  %
  Christianity
  25.3%
  Islam
  74.7%
  MARITAL STATUS
  %
  Married
  63%
  Single
  30%
  Divorced/Separated
  4%
  Widow/Widower
  2%
  Engaged
  1%
  Unspecified
  1%
  23 August 2024
  The General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific
  2/44 Dalman Crescent, O’Malley ACT 2606 T (02) 6286 9193 F (02) 6286 9405
  E Palestinian.Delegation@palgov.org W www.palestine-australia.com
  Educational Attainment:
  Occupational Categories:
  DISTRIBUTION OF OCCUPATIONAL CATEGORIES
  %
  Engineering, Science and Technical Professionals
  Includes Engineering Professionals, Technicians and Trade Workers, Architects, etc.
  18%
  Medical and Health Professionals
  Includes Medical Practitioners, Doctors, Pharmacists, Dentists, Specialist Medical Practitioners (Ex. Neurologist, Neurosurgeon, Paediatrician, Audiologist), etc.
  12%
  Business and Financial Professionals
  Includes Accountants, Auditors, and Company Secretaries, Business, Human Resources, and Marketing Professionals, etc.
  10%
  Managers and Administrators
  Includes Business Administrators, Business Owners, CEO’s, Clerical and Administrative Workers, Specialist Managers, Accounting Managers, etc.
  10%
  Legal, Social, and Education Professionals
  Includes Lawyers, Social Workers, Teachers, University Lecturers, Interpreters, etc.
  9%
  Students
  Includes Undergraduate and Postgraduate Students.
  8%
  Homemakers
  4%
  Media, Communication and Creative Professionals
  Includes Journalists and other Writers, Marketing and Public Relations Professions, etc.
  3%
  Laborers, Transport and Service Industry Workers
  2%
  Retirees
  2%
  Unspecified
  20%
  For more information, please contact the General Delegation of Palestine to Australia, Aotearoa New Zealand and the Pacific.
  HIGHEST LEVEL OF EDUCATION COMPLETED
  %
  School Education
  (Primary/Secondary School Qualifications)
  17%
  Tertiary Education
  (Post-School Qualifications) Ex. Bachelor Degree, Certificate, Diploma
  61%
  Tertiary Education – Postgraduate
  (Postgraduate Qualifications) Ex. Master’s Degree
  16%
  Tertiary Education – Doctoral Degree
  (Doctorate/Doctor of Philosophy/PhD)
  3%
  Unspecified
  3%