Overview of post-war immigration to Australia

Australia's attitude towards immigrants, especially those of non-white, non-British descent, wasn't always welcoming.

This began to change after the Second World War, when the Australian government sought to repopulate the country and rebuild its economy.

This article will explore the transformation of Australian immigration policy in the post-war era.

A key concept in Australia's post-war immigration policy was "Populate or perish".

This catchphrase, often attributed to Arthur Calwell, the Minister for Immigration from 1945 to 1949, encapsulated a simple idea: without a significant increase in population, Australia couldn't survive as a nation.

After World War II, Australia's population was around seven million. Given the country's vastness, there weren't enough people to defend against potential invaders or build a strong economy.

The war had shown that Australia was vulnerable due to its low population density.

Calwell's solution was to stimulate immigration to Australia, marking a shift in the government's policy.

For the first time, the government expressed willingness to accept immigrants from outside the British Isles. This was a significant step forward, given the deeply rooted racial prejudice in Australia at the time.

Incentives such as free or assisted passage, housing assistance, and employment assistance were offered to encourage immigration.

Between 1945 and 1961, over two million immigrants arrived in Australia. Most were from Europe, but many also came from Asia and other parts of the world.

Special programs were set up for displaced persons, like Holocaust survivors, and child migrants, such as orphans from Britain.

Arthur Calwell played a critical role in this process. He was a strong advocate for immigration, considering it essential for Australia's survival.

Calwell worked to dismantle restrictions placed on certain groups, like Jews and Catholics, during the war, making it easier for them to immigrate to Australia.

He set a goal of increasing the population by one percent annually through immigration.

One of the most influential programs established after the war was the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme.

This scheme offered free or assisted passage to people from certain countries, including Britain, Italy, Greece, and Germany.

Designed to help financially struggling individuals who couldn't afford their passage to Australia, the scheme also provided employment and housing assistance upon arrival.

By 1952, about 170,000 people had migrated to Australia under this scheme. By the time the scheme ended in the 1980s, over one million people had arrived in Australia.

The Snowy Mountains Scheme was another significant post-war initiative. This engineering project involved damming rivers and building hydroelectric power stations in the Snowy Mountains region of New South Wales.

It aimed to provide electricity for Australia's growing population and industries. The project created jobs for many immigrants, attracting over 100,000 people from around the world between 1949 and 1974.

Queen Elizabeth II visited Australia for the first time in 1954.

Prime Minister Robert Menzies played a significant role in this event. As the head of the Australian government, he orchestrated the state visit, ensuring it proceeded smoothly and successfully.

The Queen's visit under Menzies' government was a significant event as it demonstrated Australia's elevated status within the international community.

Menzies himself was a staunch monarchist and used the occasion to boost national morale and pride.

As a Commonwealth nation comprising diverse cultural backgrounds, the visit boosted morale, fostering pride in the country. It was a crucial step in Australia's post-war recovery.

Despite some loosening of restrictions, it wasn't entirely accurate to say that anyone who wished to come to Australia and had the means to do so could apply.

The White Australia policy, favouring immigrants from certain European countries, remained in effect after World War II, although it began to be dismantled gradually in the late 1940s and 1950s.

It wasn't until 1973, with the full dismantling of the Immigration Restriction Act, that racial restrictions on immigration were officially eliminated.

Requirements for immigration, although less restrictive, did exist. Immigrants needed to be of good character and have a job to go to. They were also required to be in good health and have enough money to support themselves.

The process of immigrating to Australia was relatively straightforward. Prospective immigrants would first need to obtain a visa from the Australian embassy in their home country.

They would then book passage on a ship bound for Australia. Upon arrival in Australia, they would undergo a medical examination and be interviewed by an immigration officer.

If everything went well, they would be granted a permanent residency visa, allowing them to stay in Australia indefinitely.

From 1946 to 1960, the Australian population expanded at an average of 2.7% each year.

This growth was not only due to a post-war baby boom but also significantly influenced by immigration, which added more than a third of this growth by contributing 1.2 million people to Australia's population.

By 1960, Australia's total population was roughly 10.3 million people.

In conclusion, Australian immigration after World War II was driven by the need to increase the population.

The government initiated several programs to stimulate immigration, including assisted passage schemes and the Snowy Mountains Scheme.

These programs successfully attracted a vast number of immigrants from all over the world. Consequently, Australia's population grew significantly, and the country became more culturally diverse.