The people who migrated to Australia

Since Australia became a nation in 1901, federal governments have adopted many different migration policies.

In the decades after Federation governments recognised that Australia needed a bigger population to develop its resources and provide for its stability and security.

Official campaigns sought to attract migrants, mainly from Britain. In more recent decades, many of the people coming to Australia have been seeking refuge due to conflicts or natural disasters in their home countries.

Curriculum areas

Year 10 History
Year 11 History
Year 12 History
Year 6 History

Questions

What are some of the reasons people have left their own countries to migrate to Australia?

What are some of the features of Australia that would attract people from other countries?

Many Australian families can trace their migration history. Does your family have any stories of people who have migrated to Australia?

Records

Record

Australia, the land of opportunity – poster promoting British migration

This is a coloured red, white and blue poster encouraging Britons to migrate to Australia. It is divided into three boxes. In the top box, on the left-hand side is a drawing of the stars of the Southern Cross with their name below.

Record

East Timorese refugees: men, women and children on the decks of a freighter, along with their luggage.

Refugees from East Timor arrive in Darwin

This is a black-and-white photograph of the deck of a ship carrying East Timorese refugees.

Record

This is a photograph of migrants learning English at the Bathurst Reception Centre, New South Wales.

Migrants learn English at the Bathurst Reception Centre, New South Wales

In the aftermath of World War II, the Australian Government embarked on a large-scale immigration program in order to strengthen the economy, infrastructure and defence of the nation.

Record

A group of men. Some holding signs written in Turkish Latin script.

First Turkish assisted passage migrants arrive in Sydney

Since Australia became a nation in 1901, federal governments have adopted many different migration policies.

Record

Identity documents for the Gee family

This is a formal black-and-white studio photograph of Go Gee, her husband Hin Gee and their four children.

Record

Two boats crowded with Vietnamese men, women and children in heavy seas.

Sinking refugees being rescued on the South China Sea

A boat crowded with Vietnamese men, women and children in heavy seas.

Record

Identification photograph of Indian migrant Ellum Deen

This is a black-and-white formal portrait of Ellum Deen, taken in India in 1913.