Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a long history of migration, dating back to the first inhabitants, the ancestors of the present Indigenous people, who arrived between 40,000 and 70,000 years ago. In the 1800s, migration to Australia from Europe, particularly Britain, increased significantly, with many people choosing to leave due to overcrowding in prisons and high unemployment rates. The Australian colonial government encouraged this migration by offering assisted passage migration schemes and paying for the tickets of eligible applicants. This trend continued into the 1900s, with the introduction of the Immigration Restriction Act in 1901, which aimed to restrict the entry of certain ethnic groups. Following World War II, Australia stepped up its immigration program with the slogan Populate or perish! and accepted millions of migrants and refugees from Europe and Asia. Today, Australia continues to be a destination for asylum seekers and refugees fleeing conflict and persecution.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Migration period | 1900s |
| Migration reasons | To escape the effects of the Industrial Revolution, reunification in Vietnam, and war, conflict, or persecution |
| Migration origin countries | Britain, Germany, China, South Sea Islands, Afghanistan, Japan, Italy, Greece, Baltics, Cambodia, Vietnam, China, Middle East |
| Migrant types | Refugees, asylum seekers, skilled labourers, single women, young men, married couples, children, wealthy free settlers, convicts |
| Migration numbers | 127,000 assisted migrants between 1832 and 1850, 230,000 assisted migrants in the 1850s, 3 million people from Europe between the late 1940s and 1960s |
| Migration policies | Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, Immigration Restriction Act, White Australia Policy, Migration Act 1958 |
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What You'll Learn
Post-WWII immigration boom
In the years after World War II, Australia experienced a boom in immigration with the catchphrase "populate or perish". The Australian government negotiated agreements to accept over two million migrants and displaced people from Europe, offering assisted £10 passages to one million British migrants, nicknamed "Ten Pound Poms". This period also saw the arrival of substantial numbers of displaced persons from Eastern Europe, followed by waves from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Greece, and the Middle East.
The shift in immigration policy was influenced by Melbourne economist WD 'Bill' Forsyth, who argued that immigration and settlement should be linked to the development of urban industry rather than the rural sector. Forsyth further argued that while postwar workforce shortages in Great Britain could limit Australia's ability to attract British migrants, there would be reserves of labour in Eastern and Southern Europe. This new policy set a target of a 1% annual increase in population through immigration.
The post-war immigration program gave preference to migrants from Great Britain, with an initial target of nine British out of ten immigrants. However, it soon became apparent that even with assisted passage, this target would be impossible to achieve due to Britain's diminished shipping capacity. From the late 1940s and early 1950s, carefully selected temporary migrants from the Middle East and Asia were also accepted.
The booming manufacturing industry and government-assisted programmes such as the Snowy Mountains Scheme provided employment for newly arrived migrants. This hydroelectricity and irrigation complex in southeast Australia employed 100,000 people from over 30 countries and is considered the birth of multicultural Australia. By 1955, one million post-war immigrants had arrived in Australia, contributing to a third of the country's population growth.
In the 1970s, several major shifts in immigration policy occurred. Australia experienced substantial levels of unemployment and a structural change in the economy, with manufacturing jobs moving away. The immigration policy shifted towards attracting people with skills in demand in Australia, as well as family migration and refugee and humanitarian migration. The Whitlam government adopted a non-discriminatory immigration policy, effectively ending the "White Australia" policy. This marked the end of the post-war wave of predominantly European immigration and the beginning of a contemporary wave of predominantly Asian immigration.
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Gold rush and new opportunities
The Australian gold rush, which began in 1851, was a significant driver of migration to the country in the 1900s. The discovery of payable gold near Orange, at a site called Ophir, by prospector Edward Hargraves, sparked the first gold rush in Australia. News of gold spread quickly around the world, and in 1852 alone, 370,000 immigrants arrived in Australia. The Australian gold rushes transformed former convict colonies into modern cities, with an influx of free immigrants and new skills and professions, contributing to a burgeoning economy.
The gold rush attracted people from all over the world, including Britain, Germany, and China. In particular, thousands of Chinese people came to Australia during the 1850s gold rush. When the gold was eventually exhausted, many Chinese migrants took up market gardening or established businesses such as restaurants or laundries. The Chinese miners who came to Victoria during the gold rush years have left a remarkable legacy that can still be discovered today.
The gold rush also attracted people from within Australia, with significant numbers of workers moving from elsewhere in the country to areas where gold had been discovered. The gold rush in Australia was not just limited to the 1850s, with smaller gold rushes occurring in Western Australia in the 1880s and early 1900s. In 1885, a gold rush began in Western Australia after the discovery of payable gold at Halls Creek. By the early 1900s, mining in this area had declined, and the town slowly faded away.
The gold rushes in Australia not only attracted migrants seeking fortune but also offered new opportunities for those already in the country. The influx of people during the gold rushes contributed to the development of cities and the establishment of new towns. The gold rushes played a significant role in shaping Australia's national identity, with the camaraderie and 'mateship' that developed between diggers on the goldfields becoming integral to how Australians perceive themselves as a nation.
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Escaping conflict and persecution
During the 1900s, Australia was a destination for migrants escaping conflict and persecution from various parts of the world. The country had been accepting refugees from war, conflict, and persecution since the end of the Second World War.
In the late 1970s, a new wave of seaborne refugees fleeing conflict and persecution arrived in Darwin, Australia, from East Timor, followed by another wave from Indochina. These Vietnamese "boat people" arrived during a time of dramatic social upheaval in Australia, sparking spirited public debates about the country's involvement in the Vietnam War, multiculturalism, and shifting global ties.
During the 1970s to 2000s, Australia's migration programs contributed to a significant increase in its multicultural population. The country welcomed migrants from diverse countries, including Vietnam, Turkey, Lebanon, Britain, China, India, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Poland, and the Horn of Africa. Many of these individuals escaped war and conflict, often arriving in small and unseaworthy boats.
Prior to the 1900s, Australia had a history of migration from Europe, with the first European settlers arriving in 1788. Between 1788 and 1868, Britain transported over 160,000 convicts to the Australian colonies, forming the initial wave of migration from Europe. From 1793 to 1850, nearly 200,000 free settlers and assisted immigrants chose to migrate to Australia, including English agricultural workers, domestic servants, and smaller numbers of Irish and Scottish migrants. In 1838, German Lutherans seeking religious freedom and economic opportunities began arriving in Australia as well.
In the early 1900s, Australia continued to encourage migration from Great Britain, offering assisted passage and land grants to eligible applicants. During this period, thousands of Chinese people also migrated to Australia, particularly during the 1850s gold rush. However, following Federation in 1901, Australia passed the Immigration Restriction Act, which aimed to curb Chinese and South Sea Islander immigration.
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Australia's restrictive immigration policies
One of the earliest examples of restrictive immigration policies in Australia was the transportation of convicts from Britain to the Australian colonies. From 1788 to 1868, more than 160,000 convicts were transported to Australia, forming the basis of the first migration wave from Europe. This policy was driven by the need to alleviate overcrowded prisons in Britain and establish a workforce in the colonies. However, it faced opposition as convicts were seen as a negative influence, and the transportation system was unpopular.
In the 1800s, the majority of the white population in the Australian colonies held racist attitudes towards people of different races. This sentiment led to the emergence of the White Australia policy, which aimed to preserve the "British character" of the country. The policy was formalized with the Immigration Restriction Act of 1901, which required immigrants to pass a dictation test in any European language. This effectively halted all non-European immigration and contributed to the development of a racially insulated white society. The act was specifically designed to limit non-British migration and targeted Chinese and South Sea Islander immigrants.
The White Australia policy remained in place for several decades and was gradually relaxed and dismantled in the 1960s and 1970s. After World War II, it became apparent that British migration was not sufficient for the desired population growth, and the policy was relaxed to allow refugees from continental Europe, including the "beautiful Balts," to enter the country. The Racial Discrimination Act of 1975 completely eliminated the White Australia policy, and by the early 21st century, about two-fifths of Australian immigrants were Asian.
In summary, Australia's restrictive immigration policies, particularly the White Australia policy and the Immigration Restriction Act, were driven by racial and social sentiments and had a significant impact on the country's demographics. These policies aimed to preserve a "white/British" ideal but faced opposition and were eventually dismantled, leading to a more diverse and multicultural Australia.
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The journey to Australia
Despite the difficulties, many migrants recorded positive impressions of their journey to Australia, with fond memories of their shipboard "holiday". Some enjoyed the onboard newsletters, which were encouraged by the shipping lines, although these did not always result in the positive image sought. Passengers would bring items that reflected their expectations about life in Australia, such as vegetable seeds, olive oil, salamis, carpentry tools, coffee makers, and blankets. However, unfamiliar foodstuffs and plants could be deemed contraband and were confiscated by customs to protect the Australian natural environment.
The Australian colonial government played a role in encouraging migration by paying for the tickets of eligible applicants, especially skilled labourers and single women. This was part of the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme introduced in 1945 to increase Australia's population and boost its secondary industry sector. The scheme was popular among young married couples and single people, with over three million people immigrating from Europe between the late 1940s and the 1960s.
In the late 1950s, Australia began accepting more immigrants from the Middle East and removed the dictation test, allowing non-Europeans to immigrate based on their skills and ability to integrate into Australian society. This attracted many professionals and highly qualified people. Australia also assisted refugees, helping them find work and settle into their new lives.
Over time, Australia's immigration policies became more relaxed, accepting people from a wider range of countries and repealing the restrictive White Australia policy in the 1970s. Today, Australia continues to accept refugees and asylum seekers, with the question of how to deal with unauthorised voyages remaining a polarising debate.
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Frequently asked questions
Australia had various immigration schemes in place to encourage people to migrate, including the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, which was introduced in 1945. The country was also recovering from World War II and believed that increasing its population would prevent another invasion.
The scheme was aimed at skilled labourers and single women.
Migrating to Australia was expensive, with a ticket to Australia costing four times as much as a ticket to North America. However, the Australian colonial government paid for the tickets of eligible applicants, and from the 1940s onwards, the government offered assisted £10 passages to British migrants.
Conditions on the ships were cramped and unhealthy, with a high death rate among children. Seasickness was common, and sanitary conditions were poor. However, some migrants recorded positive impressions of their journey and have fond memories of their shipboard "holiday".
People brought items such as vegetable seeds, olive oil, salamis, carpentry tools, coffee makers, and blankets. These items reflected their expectations about life in Australia and their assumptions about the climate, food, and employment.
