Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia has a long history of taking in displaced people, with hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans migrating to the country after World War II. In 1955, the one-millionth post-war immigrant arrived in Australia, and the country's population reached 10 million in 1959, up from 7 million in 1945. Australia has also accepted a disproportionate share of refugees sponsored by the International Refugee Organization (IRO) in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and has contributed to the development of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact on Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration. The number of refugees granted protection or resettlement in Australia in 2023 reached its second-highest level in over 40 years, and the country is committed to increasing its global humanitarian funding to support displaced populations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of refugees granted protection or resettlement in Australia in 2023 | Second highest level in more than 40 years |
| Number of refugee and humanitarian entrants welcomed to Australia since World War II as of early 2023 | 950,000 |
| Number of asylum seekers reaching Australia from 1999 to 2001 | 12,000 |
| Number of Vietnamese refugees authorised for immigration by the government of Malcolm Fraser | 50,000 |
| Net overseas migration in 2022-23 | 536,000 |
| Net overseas migration in 2023-24 | 650,000 |
| Number of people in Australia in 1945 | 7 million |
| Number of people in Australia in 1959 | 10 million |
| Number of people spending time in Australia's first migrant reception centre before it closed in 1971 | 300,000 |
| Number of Britons who immigrated to Australia post-World War II | 1,000,000 |
| Number of internally displaced people worldwide as of 2024 | 73.5 million |
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What You'll Learn
- Post-WWII migration: 1 million immigrants by 1955, including 300,000 in Bonegilla camp
- Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program: 950,000+ entrants since World War II
- Asylum seekers: mandatory detention for those without a valid visa
- UNHCR Australia: assisting IDPs since the 1970s
- Australia's global humanitarian funding: increased to over $500 million annually
Post-WWII migration: 1 million immigrants by 1955, including 300,000 in Bonegilla camp
Post-World War II, Australia experienced a labour shortage, and substantial population growth was deemed necessary for the nation's future economic development and defence against possible invasion. The popular expression at the time was "populate or perish!"
Ben Chifley, Prime Minister of Australia from 1945 to 1949, established the federal Department of Immigration to oversee a large-scale immigration program. By 1955, one million immigrants had arrived in Australia, including 300,000 in the Bonegilla camp.
Bonegilla Migrant Reception and Training Centre, located in northern Victoria, opened in December 1947 on the site of a former military camp. It was the largest and longest-operating migrant reception centre in post-war Australia. The camp consisted of 24 blocks, each with a kitchen, mess hut, and bath and toilet blocks. The accommodation was in ex-Army timber-framed buildings with corrugated iron walls, with each room designed to hold 20 people.
In the early years, Bonegilla had a capacity of less than 2,000 beds, which increased to 7,700 by 1950. The site underwent upgrades, including internal lining and painting, cubicles for privacy, and improvements to the sewer systems. Many migrants at Bonegilla were from non-English-speaking countries, mainly in eastern and southern Europe, including Poland, Yugoslavia, Latvia, Ukraine, Hungary, Lithuania, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Russia, and Romania. They were provided with medical examinations, clothing, and English lessons, and social security benefits were arranged. While some stayed for weeks, others remained for months, undergoing cultural orientation and training in Australian values to become "model citizens".
The impact of the Bonegilla camp extended beyond its closure in 1971. It represented a significant shift in Australia's immigration policy, moving away from the White Australia Policy and bringing about economic, social, and cultural transformations. The site holds historical significance, with Block 19 protected under conservation, and the Bonegilla Migrant Experience Heritage Park opened to the public in 2010.
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Australia's Refugee and Humanitarian Program: 950,000+ entrants since World War II
Australia has long been committed to responding to the challenge posed by the world's displaced people. The country has contributed to the development of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact on Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration. Australia also works closely with international organisations such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross to protect and support refugees and displaced people.
In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Australia accepted a disproportionate number of refugees sponsored by the International Refugee Organization (IRO). The country agreed to settle at least 12,000 displaced people annually from camps in Europe. During this time, Australia also had formal migration agreements with several countries, including the United Kingdom, Malta, the Netherlands, Italy, West Germany, Turkey, and Yugoslavia. These agreements often involved granting assisted passage to migrants.
By 1951, the Australian government had established three migrant reception centres for non-English speaking displaced persons from Europe and twenty holding centres to accommodate non-working dependants. These centres provided essential services such as medical examinations, clothing, social service benefits, and English language instruction.
Since 1977, Australia has had a planned annual Refugee and Humanitarian Program. As of June 30, 2023, the Australian government had issued over 950,000 visas through its offshore resettlement and onshore protection processes since 1947. This number is expected to surpass 1 million by late 2025 if the annual program remains at 20,000 visas.
Australia's commitment to refugee resettlement and humanitarian efforts is evident through its substantial financial contributions to global crises. For example, the country pledged $220 million and $100 million over three years to address the Syrian and Iraqi crises, respectively.
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Asylum seekers: mandatory detention for those without a valid visa
Australia has committed to responding to the global challenge posed by displaced people, including refugees and internally displaced persons. The country has a history of accepting refugees and displaced persons, especially in the post-World War II era, when large numbers of Europeans and Britons migrated to Australia.
In terms of asylum seekers and refugees, Australia's immigration detention policies have been a subject of debate. Under the Migration Act 1958, Australian law requires the mandatory detention of all non-citizens who are in the country without a valid visa, including asylum seekers. This means that immigration officials must detain those who arrive without a visa or those whose visas have expired or been cancelled. The introduction of mandatory detention laws in 1992 was a response to the arrival of Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Chinese 'boat people' to Australia's shores.
The detention of asylum seekers in Australia can be indefinite, with no limit in law or policy on the length of detention. This has led to concerns about the harm caused by prolonged detention, especially for children. The Refugee Council of Australia has expressed concern about the regime, which is considered one of the harshest in the world.
However, it is important to note that Australia has taken steps to address these concerns. In 2010, the Australian Government began moving unaccompanied minors and families with children into community detention. Additionally, the government has used bridging visas to release asylum seekers into the community due to overcrowding in detention facilities. Furthermore, Australia contributes to the development of the Global Compact on Refugees, which seeks to enhance protections for refugees and displaced people and ease the burden on host countries.
In conclusion, while Australia has a mandatory detention policy for those without a valid visa, including asylum seekers, there are ongoing efforts to balance this with the country's commitment to protecting the human rights of refugees and displaced persons.
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UNHCR Australia: assisting IDPs since the 1970s
Australia has a long history of taking in displaced people, dating back to the post-World War II era. The country has accepted refugees and migrants from various parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Since the 1970s, the UNHCR Australia has been at the forefront of assisting internally displaced people (IDPs) within the country. IDPs are individuals and communities who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or disasters but remain within their own country. As of 2024, there were approximately 73.5 million IDPs worldwide, constituting 60% of the global forcibly displaced population.
UNHCR Australia works closely with national governments and partner organizations to provide life-saving assistance and protection to IDPs. They help IDPs find safe shelter, access local services, and realize their rights. Additionally, UNHCR brings its expertise in camp management, ensuring that displaced people have access to basic necessities like adequate shelter, food, clean water, and healthcare.
The organization also prioritizes interventions to address urgent protection risks faced by IDPs, including sexual exploitation, gender-based violence, and child protection issues. By working closely with the affected communities, UNHCR Australia strives to meet their immediate needs and support them in finding a safe and permanent home.
Furthermore, Australia has contributed to the development of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact on Safe, Regular, and Orderly Migration. These agreements aim to enhance protections for refugees and displaced people, address the challenges of protracted displacement, and reduce the vulnerabilities faced by migrants. Australia's commitment to these compacts demonstrates its dedication to responding to the long-term challenge posed by the world's displaced populations.
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Australia's global humanitarian funding: increased to over $500 million annually
Australia has a long history of accepting displaced people, dating back to the post-World War II era when it welcomed hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans and over 1,000,000 British immigrants. This trend continued, and by 1959, Australia's population had reached 10 million, a significant increase from 7 million in 1945. The country's commitment to refugee resettlement is exemplified by its agreement with the International Refugee Organization (IRO) to resettle at least 12,000 displaced people annually from European camps.
In more recent times, Australia has continued to demonstrate its dedication to addressing the challenge posed by displaced populations worldwide. In 2017, recognizing the pressing need for stronger global support, Australia pledged to increase its global humanitarian funding to over $500 million annually. This funding is allocated through two primary channels: Country and Regional Programs, which provide support to specific countries, and Global Programs, which include humanitarian assistance to organizations like the UN and the Commonwealth.
Australia's humanitarian efforts are guided by its development assistance budget, which for 2024-25 includes a total of $676 million in humanitarian sector funding. This funding is directed towards addressing protracted crises and supporting governments and communities hosting displaced populations. Additionally, Australia has committed to responding to all requests for humanitarian assistance in the Indo-Pacific region within 48 hours.
The country's humanitarian actions also extend beyond financial contributions. Australia is actively involved in the development of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact on Safe, Regular, and Orderly Migration. These initiatives aim to enhance protections for refugees and displaced individuals, address the protracted nature of displacement, and reduce the burden on countries hosting large refugee populations.
Furthermore, Australia is committed to incorporating First Nation leadership and input into its development programs, marking a significant step towards recognizing the importance of Indigenous perspectives in addressing global challenges, including those related to displacement and humanitarian crises.
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Frequently asked questions
By 1973, Australia's population had reached 10 million, up from 7 million in 1945. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Europeans migrated to Australia, and over 1,000,000 Britons immigrated with financial assistance. Australia's first migrant reception centre, which opened in 1947, had seen 300,000 migrants pass through by the time it closed in 1971. The number of refugee and humanitarian entrants welcomed to Australia since World War II is expected to pass 950,000 in the early months of 2023.
Net overseas migration is expected to reach 650,000 over 2022-2023 and 2023-2024, the highest in Australian history.
Australia is committed to responding to the long-term challenge posed by the world's displaced people, including refugees and internally displaced people. Australia works closely with international organisations such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and the International Committee of the Red Cross to protect and support refugees and displaced people. Australia has also contributed to the development of the Global Compact on Refugees and the Global Compact on Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration.
Displaced people in Australia often face challenges such as employment and security concerns. Australia is the only country in the world with a policy of mandatory detention and offshore processing of asylum seekers who arrive without a valid visa. Asylum seekers arriving by boat have outnumbered those arriving by plane since 2011-2012.
