[Page 1]

66/7143 [handwritten in black ink]

[stamped in red ink: RECEIVED 20 SEP 1967]

[Letterhead printed in yellow ink:] DEPARTMENT OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OUTWARD SAVINGRAM

[The right margin of the page is highlighted in yellow and labelled ‘RESTRICTED’.]

TO:

ALL POSTS. [underlined]

0.53591

Sent: 19th September, 1967

SAV. AP. 126. RESTRICTED. [underlined: 'restricted' only]

[Underlined heading] ENTRY OF NON-EUROPEANS TO AUSTRALIA

The following statement regarding the general conditions governing the entry of non-Europeans to Australia has been prepared in the Department of Immigration, and may be drawn upon as required. The statement should not, however, be attributed to the Department of Immigration.

[Underlined heading] NON-EUROPEAN MIGRATION

Australia's immigration policy is directed towards maintaining a predominantly homogenous population. It does not exclude non-Europeans.

There is provision for the entry of the spouses, unmarried minor children, aged parents, fiances and fiancees of Australian citizens and of persons having resident status in this country.

Following the Government’s review of policy in March, 1966, provision exists also for the entry of other persons wishing to settle here on the basis of their general suitability, their ability to integrate readily and their having qualifications which are positively useful to Australia.

Examples of persons who may qualify for entry under this provision are: -

[Bullet point list:]

persons with specialised technical skills for appointments for which local residents are not available;

persons of high attainment in the arts and sciences, or of prominent achievement in other ways;

persons nominated by responsible authorities or institutions for specific important professional appointments, which otherwise would remain unfilled;

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executives, technicians, and other specialists who have spent substantial periods in Australia – for example, with the branches here of large Asian companies – and who have qualifications or experience in positive demand here;

businessmen who in their own countries have been engaged in substantial international trading and who if admitted would be able to carry on trade with other countries which would be of significant value to Australia;

persons who have been of particular and lasting help to Australia's interest abroad in trade, or in other ways;

persons who by former residence in Australia or by association with us have demonstrated an interest in or identification with Australia that should make their future residence here feasible.

[End of list.]

Until 1957, non-Europeans born abroad could not as a rule become Australian citizens in the full sense. They may now qualify for citizenship after five years residence (the period normally required for naturalisation). Since 1957, 6,400 (including close on 800 in the year of 1966) have done so.

There is provision for the entry of young people for advanced education and training, under Government sponsorship and as private students, with the object of assisting their countries by increasing their numbers of qualified people in areas of special need. The student programme is important in increasing understanding and goodwill between the students’ countries and our own, and in building good relations for the future.

Non-Europeans are admitted freely as visitors, for business or as tourists, provided a genuine visit only is intended.

There is provision also for their entry on a temporary residence basis as staff of companies, as specialists in a professional or technical capacity, and for medical treatment, religious training, as sportsmen and entertainers and in other miscellaneous categories.

At the 31st December, 1966 there were in Australia some 38,800 non-Europeans comprising : -

[Bullet point list:]

17,550 who have Australian citizenship (11,150 by birth and 6,400 by naturalisation or registration);

an additional 4,100 who have resident status but not citizenship;

a further 3,750 who have temporary resident status. The majority of those will be able to remain for

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residence, and many will then qualify to introduce their wives and children;

12,700 overseas students (mainly from Asia and the Pacific), of whom 1,700 are Government sponsored and 11,000 private students; and

700 visitors

[End of list.]

There is also a discretionary policy (which takes account of close family relationship and other compassionate circumstances) with respect to persons of mixed descent, more than 15,000 of whom have been admitted to Australia during the post-war period from Asia and other countries.

[dividing line]

MIN. & DEPT. E.A. (581/1) [Minister & Department of External Affairs]

MIN. & DEPT. IMMIGRATION [Minister & Department of Immigration]

P.M.'s [Prime Minister’s]

19th September, 1967