Immigration Timeline

Immigration Timeline

1900's

1860's

1940's

Pre 1830'3

Australia's sense of vulnerability during world war two, leads to call for Australia "populate or perish." In 1945 the first commonwealth immigration department is established, and Arthur calwell is the first minister. The white Australia' remains the corner stone of immigration policy. The schemes are re-established to attract immigration from post-war Britain. In 1947 displaced persons from war-torn Europe start arriving. In 1949 the Commonwealth nationality and citizenship comes to affect, then Australians are no longer British subjects.

In 1901 the federation celebrated, six colonies become commonwealth of Australia. Later the commonwealth restriction act introduces the dictation test, making it easy to exclude non-British immigrants. In 1903 the commonwealth excludes on Europeans. In 1905 immigration recovers state funds are allocated.

Bunjil created the land and life with it. He created people and gave them law. In the 1820's The British then begin trekking overland from New South Whales.

In the 1860's a new legislation in Victoria gives the agent-general in Britain full control of Immigration selection. Then later British immigrants are enticed by offers of assisted passage or land. Most of Victoria's anti-chinese legislation is repealed, and chinese people become the fourth largest immigrant group after the british, Irish and Germans.

1830's

1870's

1950's

1910's

Melbourne was named and settled in 1837. Later in 1839 the first immigrants to sail to port Philip from Britain arrive. In 1835 John batman and John pascoe fawkner travel travel across Bass strait to claim beside the Yarra river,

The government schemes entice Immigration with the offer of rural land, but few make a successful living. In 1914 world war begins and immigration stops. German immigration is banned and schemes are terminated.

In the 1873 most government-assisted immigrants ceases , following an economic turn down. Also in 1873 , riots occur in clunes in Victoria due to chinese miners on strike. Later, Australian Native Association formed to represent expanding Australian born population. Colonial land and immigration commission in England closes, and the colonies take over administration of immigrants.

Australia signs immigration agreements with more than twenty European countries, and the british Immigration is still favoured. Alot of Italians and other immigrants that came to Australia brought their culture with them. In 1995 the number of post war immigrants to Australia reaches one million, and non-Europeans can apply for naturalisation. In 1958, the migration act abolishes the dictation test and introduces an immigration permit system. And in 1959 Immigration reform group is founded in Melbourne, advocating the the end of white Australia policy.

The immigrants sailing to port Philip

The immigrants

1880's

1920's

1840's

1960's

In 1841 one british immigrant ship per week arrives in port Philip. But later in 1848 the first non-british ship arrives from Germany. Poor law commissioners in great Britain approve an immigration scheme to send female orphans from English workhouses to Australia.

In the 1880's Gold, agriculture and manufacturing make Melbourne the economic centre of Australian colonies. By 1888 Chinese Immigration is virtually banned. In 1888 the policy "White Australia Policy" appears in William lane's boomerang.

Half a million immigrants come from countries other than Britian. In 1965 the white Australia policy is removed from its "party" platform. 6,000 immigrants from Asia arrive to Australia each year.

The commonwealth government assumes states is to blame for immigration selection. In 1922 the Empire land settlement sees British government assists migrant to come to Australia and settle on the land. The immigration laws in the USA contribute to an increase, and Schemes were attracting the British. In 1929, depression haults Immigration schemes. Restrictive immigration laws in the USA contribute to an increase in non- British immigration to Victoria.

Port Philip immigration

People coming to Port Philip

1930's

1970's

1890's

1850's

Depression years result in little immigration. In 1934, the dictation test is used to attempt to prevent left-wing czech-Jewish writer Egon Kisch fromlanding in Australia. In 1939 immigration ceases in September with the outbreak of world war two. In 1938 the Government accepts 15,000 Jewish refugees. Jewish refugees from Nazism over three years; only 7,500 reach Australia before warbreaks out.

With few prospects for intending settlers. Immigration becomes a virtual standstill. The colonies had made a final statement that non-Europeans were banned from coming to Australia. Then the economic depression starts.

Half of all immigrants come from countries Britain, Italy, and Greece. A change in Federal government sees a removal of the last discriminatory references in the Immigration policy. However, strict migrant intake controls are enforced and immigration promotion ceases. In 1975 Racial Discrimination act prohibits discrimination on grounds of race, religion, colour, descent, and ethnicity. Later the first refugees arrive from Vietnam, Leanon, cyprus and chile. In 1977 -The last migrant- carrying ocean liner docks in Melbourne. And in 1978 Galbally report establishes Multiculturalism.

In 1851 Victoria was proclaimed a separate colony. Later Gold was discovered, attracting almost half a million immigrants in a decade. The largest numbers of immigrants from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, America, China and Germany. Most arrivals are unassisted immigrants from Britain, they were selected and despatched by the colonial land and immigration comissionaries.