[June 1947][1]

FOREIGN IMMIGRATION
REVISED IMMIGRATION POLICY-1947

Australia having made its contribution to the solution of the
problem of the displaced and persecuted peoples of Europe it is
recommended that policy in respect of all aliens should be
reorientated in the light of recent developments and the need to
consider admissions purely from the immigration point of view,
i.e. desirable types, rather than from the aspect of
humanitarianism.

It is felt that generally the following guiding principles should
be applied in determining the classes of persons to be granted
permanent admission:

(a) Persons who by reason of their age and nationality and general
qualifications would be likely to be readily assimilated.

(b) Persons who are skilled in trades or professions or who are
fitted to engage in occupations, e.g. agriculture, hospital
workers, in which there is a definite demand for labour.

(c) Persons who by reason of their special professional or
technical qualifications could make a material contribution to the
economic development of this country.

(d) Persons who could as a general rule be found accommodation
without detriment to those already resident in Australia.

In the light of these principles the following revised policy for
1947 is submitted:

(A) United States Citizens
No special conditions to apply to United States citizens of
European descent.

(B) Citizens of European Continental Countries
Persons of European origin may be granted landing permits subject
to the
following conditions:-

(a) They are skilled in a trade or profession or are deemed
suitable for employment in occupations, e.g. farm workers,
hospital workers etc. in which there is a shortage of labour and
(i) are single persons or, if married, are prepared to come to
Australia in the first instance without their wives and families;

and are in possession of at least 50 landing money for initial
maintenance; or
(ii) if married and they desire to bring their families with them,
are in possession of 100 landing money for initial maintenance
and can produce evidence that accommodation is available for them
and their families in Australia.

(b) Persons who do not come within the classes mentioned in (a)
above may be granted landing permits provided they are nominated
by persons resident in
1 The document is undated. It was prepared for Calwell's overseas
mission in June.

Australia who are in a position to accept responsibility for their
accommodation and maintenance for a period of twelve months and
are prepared to furnish guarantees to this effect.

(c) They possess special professional or technical qualifications
which would enable them to make a material contribution to the
economic development of this country and
(i) are single persons or, if married, are prepared to come to
Australia in the first instance without their wives and families;

and are in possession of at least 50 landing money for initial
maintenance; or
(ii) if married and they desire to bring their families with them,
are in possession of 100 landing money for initial maintenance
and can produce evidence that accommodation is available for their
families in Australia.

(d) Persons in the categories indicated below who have been
persecuted or displaced by Nazi or Fascist regimes on religious,
racial or political grounds may be admitted to Australia under
exemption for two years in the first instance provided that they-
(i) are skilled in an undermanned trade or profession or are
deemed suitable for employment in occupations in which there is a
definite shortage of labour and
(ii) are nominated by a person resident in Australia for at least
12 months.

In the case of married persons the nominator must be prepared to
accept responsibility for the accommodation and maintenance of
their nominee for a period of twelve months.

Other persons without nominators in Australia provided they
otherwise are eligible under the above conditions and under the
general rules will be admitted on personal selection by an
immigration officer if single or if married are prepared to come
in the first instance without their wives and families.

At the end of the period of their exemption they may be granted
permanent admission if still following the occupation for which
they were admitted, or other approved occupation, and are
otherwise deemed suitable residents.

(e) (i) In the case of Italian nationals who are the wives,
unmarried daughters or minor unmarried sons of residents of
Australia they are nominated by their husbands or fathers who are
suitable guarantors and in a position to maintain and accept
responsibility for the accommodation of their nominees.

(ii) Applications by residents of Australia for the admission of
Italian nationals who do not come within the classes set out in
(i) may be considered on their individual merits subject to the
production of satisfactory evidence that the nominees became co-
belligerents or did not continue to oppose the allied forces after
the surrender of Italy.

(iii) Applications by residents of Australia for the re-entry of
Italian nationals who were previously in Australia as prisoners of
war or internees may be considered on their merits provided that
the nominees will be employed by the nominators in agricultural
work without detriment to agricultural workers in Australia, there
is no Security objection to their re-admission and the nominators
are in a position to employ and provide accommodation for their
nominees.

(f) (i) In the case of persons who are nationals or former
nationals of Germany, Austria, Hungary, Roumania and Bulgaria but
do not come within the classes mentioned in (d), and are the
wives, unmarried daughters and unmarried minor sons of residents
of Australia, they may be granted landing permits provided that
the husband or father is a suitable guarantor and in a position to
maintain and accept responsibility for the accommodation of his
nominees.

(ii) Nominations by persons resident in Australia for the
admission of relatives outside the classes mentioned in (i) or
other relatives or friends are to be deferred until 31st December,
1947, except in the case of nominees with special qualifications.

(C) Citizens of certain Non-European Countries
Persons of Asiatic origin who are Lebanese, Syrians, Turks and
Armenians and persons of Egyptian nationality of Lebanese, Syrian,
Turkish or Armenian origin may be granted landing permits,
provided they are nominated by persons resident in Australia who
are in a position to accept responsibility for the maintenance and
accommodation of their nominees and furnish guarantees to that
effect.

The following general rules should be applied in the consideration
of all applications for admission to Australia:

(a) Although the policy laid down is to be accepted for general
guidance, each case will be considered on its individual merits.

(b) Any exceptions on compassionate grounds or in view of special
circumstances, to the limits imposed under the policy outlined in
the preceding paragraphs to be subject to Ministerial approval.

(c) In cases where accommodation guarantees arc required it is the
intention that the provision of such accommodation will generally
be in the homes of the nominators and that in any event will not
entail the displacement of any existing Australian occupant or
result in unoccupied accommodation being reserved pending the
arrival of the nominees.

(d) The usual conditions in regard to character and health to
apply to all persons.

(e) The following maximum age limits should be followed generally
but the application of such limits should be flexible and shall
have regard to relevant circumstances-
Single Males 45
Single Women 35
Married persons with children 50
(f) Special consideration should be given in cases where approval
would provide for reunions of wives and unmarried children with
their husbands and fathers, except in such cases of admission of
former enemy aliens who desire to join wives and children in this
country. Any cases of this nature to be reserved for Ministerial
approval.

(g) Fiancees to be treated in the same category as wives provided
that the fiance furnishes a bond of 100 that marriage will take
place within three months from the date of the fiiancee's arrival
in Australia.

(h) Where applicable, suitable evidence is to be furnished that
the persons desiring admission to Australia are in possession of
satisfactory qualifications for the trade or profession in which
they claim proficiency.

(i) The above policy to apply to all applications held in the
Department at the time of and received subsequent to the date of
the Minister's approval of the Council recommendation.

Approved by the Minister on 29th April, 1947, subject to
applications received prior to 31st December, 1946, being dealt
with under interim policy and further that the provisions of
clause B(e)(iii) are not to be implemented at this stage.