Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia has a long history of encouraging immigration, with each post-war government actively pursuing an immigration program. In the aftermath of World War II, significant labor shortages emerged in the manufacturing and agricultural sectors, which prompted the government to assist more than 300,000 displaced persons from Eastern Europe to settle in Australia and fill vacant jobs. This marked the beginning of a transformation towards a more diverse population, with immigrants arriving from various parts of the world, including the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Greece, the Middle East, and later, Asia. Over time, Australia's immigration policies evolved, shifting from a White Australia policy to a multicultural approach that encouraged immigrants to retain their distinctive cultures while integrating into Australian society. Today, immigrants make up about 28% of Australia's total population, contributing to its ranking as one of the top twenty countries with high percentages of international migrants and one of the most ethnically diverse populations globally.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Post-war labor shortages | 300,000 displaced persons from Eastern Europe assisted in settling in Australia to fill vacant jobs |
| Bipartisan agreement | Permanent settlement of a significant number of overseas immigrants is desirable |
| Diverse population | Immigrants from 53 birthplace groups with 10,000 or more residents in Australia, and 111 groups with 1,000 or more residents |
| Multiculturalism | Immigrants encouraged to retain their distinctive cultures while becoming part of broader Australian society |
| Family migration | Relatives of Australian residents |
| Refugee and humanitarian migration | Special categories for New Zealanders |
| Economic migration | A points system to assess applicants |
| Sustained high levels of migration | 28% of the total population are immigrants |
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What You'll Learn
To fill labour shortages in the post-war manufacturing and agriculture sectors
In the aftermath of World War II, Australia experienced significant labour shortages in the newly expanding manufacturing sector, as well as in traditional areas like agriculture. To address these shortages, the Australian government actively encouraged immigration, specifically targeting displaced persons from Eastern Europe. This decision was influenced by Forsyth's ideas presented in his 1942 book, "The Myth of Open Spaces", where he argued that immigration should be linked to the development of urban industry rather than just the rural sector.
The post-war immigration drive brought large numbers of southern and central Europeans to Australia, seeking opportunities in the booming manufacturing industry. The Australian economy, which stood in sharp contrast to war-ravaged Europe, offered employment in various sectors, including government-assisted programmes like the Snowy Mountains Scheme, a massive hydroelectricity and irrigation complex. This project, which employed 100,000 people from over 30 countries, is often seen as a symbol of the birth of multicultural Australia.
The Australian government's encouragement of immigrants to fill labour shortages had a significant impact on the country's demographics. By 2016, the foreign-born population represented around 28% of Australia's total population, making it one of the top 20 countries in the world with high percentages of international migrants. This diversity is reflected in the 1996 census, which showed 53 birthplace groups with 10,000 or more residents and 111 groups with 1,000 or more residents in Australia.
Over time, the sources of immigration to Australia have shifted. While the United Kingdom was once the dominant migrant population, it has since been surpassed by other countries. In recent decades, substantial migrant populations have originated from New Zealand, China, India, Vietnam, and other countries outside of Europe, contributing to a more diverse and multicultural Australia.
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To increase the population
Australia has actively encouraged immigration for several reasons, one of which is to increase the country's population. In the post-World War II era, Australia experienced significant labour shortages in sectors like manufacturing and agriculture. To address this, the government assisted over 300,000 displaced persons from Eastern Europe to settle in Australia and fill vacant jobs. This wave of immigration was followed by arrivals from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Greece, and the Middle East.
In the late 1970s, substantial migration flows from Asia commenced and continue to the present, contributing to Australia's population growth. Since the late 1980s, Asia has been a more important source of migrants than Europe. Australia's immigration policy has shifted over time, reflecting changes in the dominant source countries of immigration.
The Australian government has also introduced policies to encourage and manage immigration. In the 1970s, a new policy of multiculturalism emerged, encouraging immigrants to retain their distinctive cultures while integrating into broader Australian society. Mechanisms such as multicultural television and radio networks funded by the federal government were introduced to support cultural maintenance.
Additionally, in the 1980s, the government introduced a points system to assess applicants for economic migration and set annual targets for the number of immigrants allowed into the country. These policies have been adjusted over time to respond to changes in government priorities, the economy, and the global situation.
As a result of sustained immigration, Australia's population has grown significantly. Between 1981 and 2016, the population increased by over 60%, from 15.0 million to 24.2 million. Immigrants currently represent around 28% of the total population, making Australia one of the top twenty countries in the world with the highest percentages of international migrants.
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To encourage cultural diversity and multiculturalism
Australia has experienced a significant cultural shift from a previously monocultural British-oriented society to one of the world's most multicultural societies. The postwar years saw a massive influx of migrants, and from 1945 to 1960, Australia's population almost doubled, from 7 million to 13 million. By 1961, 8% of the population was not of British origin, with the largest migrant groups being Italians, followed by Germans, Greeks, and Poles.
The Australian government began to relax its White Australia policy in the mid-1950s, allowing non-European migrants to apply for citizenship. This was a significant step towards encouraging cultural diversity and multiculturalism in the country. The most notable change was Prime Minister Harold Holt's introduction of the Migration Act 1966, which opened doors for non-Europeans with professional and academic qualifications.
The 1970s marked another turning point in official immigration policies, moving away from previous assimilation policies that expected newcomers to adopt Australian customs and culture. The Labor government, led by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, implemented the Universal Migration Policy in 1973, marking the beginning of a culturally diverse society. This policy shift allowed anyone from any country to apply to migrate to Australia without facing discrimination based on ethnicity, gender, or religion. It also focused on attracting skilled and professional workers to boost the country's productive capacity and economy.
As a result of these policy changes, Australia witnessed a decline in British and European immigrants from 1975 but welcomed a new wave of migration, including the arrival of the first Asian refugees through assistance programs with the United Nations. Today, Australia's cultural diversity is evident, with about one-fourth of its population born overseas, representing people from approximately 200 different countries. Australians have come to appreciate the benefits of this multicultural society, which offers a rich tapestry of diverse cultures, languages, and ethnicities.
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To fill internal migration gaps
Australia has a long history of encouraging immigration, with each post-war government actively pursuing an immigration program. In the aftermath of World War II, significant labour shortages emerged in the expanding manufacturing sector and traditional areas like agriculture. The Australian government assisted more than 300,000 displaced persons from Eastern Europe to settle in the country and fill these vacant jobs. This was the beginning of a sustained period of high immigration, which has seen Australia's population increase by over 60% from 1981 to 2016.
The sources of immigration have changed over time, with the United Kingdom and Europe dominating in the early post-war decades, and Asia becoming an increasingly important source of migrants from the 1970s onwards. Since the 1980s, Asia has been a more significant source of immigrants than Europe. This shift reflects some significant changes in Australian immigration policy over the last half-century, including the removal of the "White Australia policy" in the 1970s.
Australia's modern immigration programs have been designed to fill internal migration gaps and address labour shortages. While most migrants settle in state and territory capital cities, regional immigration policies have also encouraged settlement in rural areas. The Australian government has also introduced a points system to assess applicants for economic migration, and each year, the government sets the number of immigrants to be allowed into the country.
Australia's diverse immigrant population has contributed to its highly diverse and multicultural society. The country's immigration policies have encouraged immigrants to retain their distinctive cultures while becoming part of broader Australian society. This has been supported by the introduction of multicultural television and radio networks funded by the federal government. As a result, Australia now has one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the world.
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To support family migration
Australia has long been a country of immigrants, with almost 28% of its population born overseas. In the immediate post-war period, substantial numbers of displaced persons from Eastern Europe settled in Australia, followed by waves of immigrants from the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Greece, and the Middle East. In the late 1970s, significant migration flows from Asia began and continue to this day.
Since the 1970s, Australia's migration programs have been based on a universal, non-discriminatory visa system. The Permanent Family Migration Program allows for the migration of family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or eligible New Zealand citizens. This program has seen various changes over the years, with the Australian government recently introducing faster visa pathways and expanded opportunities for family reunification.
The Australian government has improved processing times for family and partner visas. For instance, 75% of partner visa applications are now processed within 15 months, down from 18 months. Child visas remain uncapped, allowing children to join their families without delay. The government has also simplified citizenship applications, offering faster processing for those meeting residency and character requirements.
The Family Migration Program visa applications are processed in four Visa and Citizenship Offices in Australia and 25 Australian overseas missions. The average staffing level for the migration program decreased from 2015-16 to 2020-21, but there has been a recent push to improve efficiency and effectiveness in managing Australia's family visa programs.
Australia's immigration policies have always aimed to support family migration, and recent changes indicate a continued commitment to this goal. The country's diverse population, with immigrants from all over the world, has shaped its social fabric and contributed to its growth.
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