The Swiss in Australia
Shortly after the first European settlement was established in 1788, the first Swiss settlers arrived in Sydney.
The first Swiss person to see Australia, however, was John Webber (Johann Wäber), who accompanied James Cook on his third voyage around the world as an expedition draughtsman.
A larger wave of Swiss immigration began in 1839 when Charles Joseph La Trobe, married to the Swiss Sophie de Montmollin, became the governor of Victoria. This led to winemakers from Neuchâtel and the Bernese Seeland settling in Victoria.
During the gold rush of the 1850s, many Ticinese arrived in Australia. Later, traders and craftsmen from German-speaking Switzerland also settled there.
Today, Swiss people emigrate to Australia for professional, family, or personal reasons. The climate, high quality of life, and nature attract many.
By the end of 2023, around 26,400 Swiss lived in Australia, making it the third-largest Swiss community overseas, after the USA and Canada.
Did you know?
You can ski in Australia! In regions like the Snowy Mountains, there is enough snowfall in winter for winter sports. Switzerland has played an important role in this: Swiss immigrants helped to develop ski resorts and build ski lifts and infrastructure in the middle of the 20th century. Accommodation such as the Eiger Chalet and the Matterhorn Lodge still exist today.
Swiss Alliance Australia – umbrella organisation
The Swiss Alliance Australia is the umbrella organisation of Swiss clubs in Australia. In addition to the clubs, the delegates of the Council of the Swiss Abroad are also represented on the SAA board. The SAA website and communication channels serve as a central source of information on issues and events relevant to the Swiss Abroad community.
- Website of the Swiss Alliance Australia
- Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn
Swiss clubs and organisations
Australia has a rich club scene. There is an official Swiss club in the major cities of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide & Canberra. In addition, there are various other clubs and groups, also outside the major cities, which regularly organise cultural, social and sporting activities for the Swiss community in Australia.
The Swiss Alliance Australia provides an overview of known clubs and groups:
SwissCham - Swiss Australian Chamber of Commerce
SwissCham Australia is the Swiss Chamber of Commerce that promotes economic exchange between Switzerland and Australia. It organises regular information and networking events.
Swiss representations in Australia
The Swiss Embassy is based in Canberra and represents Switzerland's interests in Australia. The Swiss Consulate General is located in Sydney and serves as a contact point for consular services such as passport renewal.
Members of the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) Australia
The CSA members for the 2021-2025 term of office are listed below. They represent the interests of the Swiss vis-à-vis the authorities and inform the Swiss community about issues that are important for the Swiss community in Australia. They also use the umbrella organisation's communication channels for this purpose.
