Records of non-British subjects in wartime and postwar Australia

Did you know...

Many alien registration records are being digitised as part of our 2007 digitisation program

The threat posed by world war during the 20th century twice caused the Australian Government to require all 'aliens' (ie non-British subjects/foreign nationals living in Australia) to register with local authorities. Registration was required between 1916 and 1926, and again between 1939 and 1971.

Alien registration forms may include information on the ship and date of arrival, date and place of birth, occupation, marital status, a physical description or photograph, and addresses in Australia.

What alien registration records do we hold?

For more information on alien registration, see the following fact sheets:

Sample alien registration card

You can see a sample of an alien registration card in our postwar migration records showcase.