Chinatowns the world over have long held a fascination as enclaves of intrigue, of food and culture and a vibrant commercial spirit. The same holds true for Sydney’s Haymarket Chinatown, which relocated from the first Chinese settlement in The Rocks at the beginning of the 20th century. The exhibition honours the merchant families who built their businesses and homes in Australia by leveraging entrepreneurial skill, family clan networks, and transnational connections.
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A home for
A home for
Chinese Australian Stories.
The Museum of Chinese in Australia is committed to discover and preserve the rich history, traditions and culture of Chinese Australians and highlighting the many ways their lives have helped to define our nation.
744 George Street, Haymarket
Latest Events 最新活動
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03 NovForum03 NovTalk Forum
Representation and Racism: Reflections on being a Chinese Australian Politician
MOCA, 744 George Street, HaymarketChinese Australian history is also being made in parliament: through who gets elected, whose experiences are heard, and who helps shape the decisions that affect us all.
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ABOUT US 關於我們
The idea to establish the Museum of Chinese in Australia was conceived in 2019 as a way of creating a centre for the discovery, preservation and promotion of the story of the Chinese in Australia. The founding directors – including the eminent Australians John Yu AC and Dr Stephen FitzGerald AO – envisioned a dedicated museum space in the Haymarket district of Sydney, the city’s oldest surviving and largest Chinatown, that would complement and cooperate with history and cultural institutions in other locations both in Sydney and around the country.
On 22 February 2026, MOCA was opened by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, and the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. It is the first and only museum in New South Wales dedicated to the history and culture of Chinese Australians.
The idea to establish the Museum of Chinese in Australia was conceived in 2019 as a way of creating a centre for the discovery, preservation and promotion of the story of the Chinese in Australia. The founding directors – including the eminent Australians John Yu AC and Dr Stephen FitzGerald AO – envisioned a dedicated museum space in the Haymarket district of Sydney, the city’s oldest surviving and largest Chinatown, that would complement and cooperate with history and cultural institutions in other locations both in Sydney and around the country.
On 22 February 2026, MOCA was opened by the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, the Minister for Social Services, Tanya Plibersek, and the Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore. It is the first and only museum in New South Wales dedicated to the history and culture of Chinese Australians.
MOCA acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the traditional custodians of the land on which the Museum is built.
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EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
We would like to hear from anyone who has an interest in volunteering to work at the museum, even if it’s only for a couple of hours a week. If you think you would like to assist, please email us at enquiries@moca.com.au with a short introduction and your contact details.
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MOCA is an independent museum, sustained by people who believe Chinese Australian history deserves a home. Your donation helps us bridge cultures, deepen understanding and strengthen social cohesion.
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