Key Dates

Victorian Aborigines Act extends powers of the Board for the Protection of Aborigines to 'half-castes' as well as 'full blooded' Aboriginal people.

South Australian Aborigines Act makes the Chief Protector the legal guardian of every Aboriginal and 'half-caste' child under 21 with control over the child's place of residence. The Chief Protector is replaced by the Aborigines Protection Board in 1939 and guardianship power is repealed in 1962.

Kingsley Fairbridge establishes the Child Emigration Society in England and a farm school in Western Australia for orphaned and underprivileged child migrants.

Commonwealth War Precautions Act is passed, banning German immigration to Australia and enabling the internment of 'enemy aliens', mostly Germans, living in Australia. 4,000 residents of German background are deported.

New South Wales Aborigines Protection Board is empowered to remove and apprentice Aboriginal children without a court hearing. This power is repealed in 1940, when the Board is renamed the Aborigines Welfare Board.

Similar policies allowing the removal of Aboriginal children apply in other states and these practices continue up to the 1970s. Over one third of Aboriginal children are forcibly taken from their parents to provide household servants and stockmen for non-Aboriginal society.

South Australia Nomenclature Act changes place names of German origin.

Migration scheme for British ex-servicemen begins.

People from Britain and Ireland as well as those from northern Europe are encouraged to migrate during the 1920s.

Controls on entry of some southern and eastern Europeans are introduced. Quota is placed on people from Malta, Greece, Yugoslavia, Poland, Albania, Czechoslovakia and Estonia with Jews added later. Italians cannot be restricted due to treaty between Britain and Italy.

Aboriginal population is estimated to be at its lowest at 60,000 - 70,000. The majority of Australians have no contact with Aboriginal people due to segregation and social conventions.

League of Nations appoints High Commissioner for Refugees.

Immigration Act is amended to allow government to exclude or restrict non-British immigrants for economic, industrial or racial reasons.

Australian Aborigines' Progressive Association is formed to oppose New South Wales Aborigines Protection Board.

Federal law for family endowment excludes Aboriginal people and instead payments go to Aborigines Protection Board. Aboriginal people are denied maternity allowance and old age pension.

Aboriginal people are banned from central Perth until 1948.

Commonwealth Government introduces a quota system for the number of immigrants from southern and eastern Europe.

First Russian Orthodox Church is built in Brisbane.

During the Depression, there is increased hostility towards southern European workers. Some Queensland unions succeed in restricting employment for non-British workers in cane fields.

Entry of non-British Europeans is banned unless they are wealthy or have relatives living in Australia.

Commonwealth Government agrees to permit entry to Jewish refugees who are guaranteed by relatives or friends not to cost the state.

First Commonwealth and State conference on 'native welfare' adopts 'assimilation' as the national policy. In practice, assimilation policies lead to the destruction of Aboriginal identity and culture, justification of dispossession and the removal of Aboriginal children.

Aborigines' Progressive Association holds Australian Aborigines Conference in Sydney, on January 26, the 150th anniversary of European occupation. Aboriginal people mark this date as 'Day of Mourning and Protest'.

After the Evian Conference, Commonwealth Government decides to accept 15,000 Jewish refugees over 3 years; only 7,500 arrive before war breaks out. Australian Jewish Welfare Society is established to assist immigrants

Thousands of nationals of enemy countries, particularly Italians, are interned across the country as 'enemy aliens' during the war.

The Dunera arrives in Sydney carrying Jewish refugees from Europe - they are interned at Hay, New South Wales, as 'enemy aliens'.

First Italian prisoners of war arrive.

Aboriginal people use the derogatory terms 'dog tags' or 'dog licences' to refer to the certificates. For many Aboriginal people this renunciation of their traditional lifestyle is promoted as the only opportunity to overcome poverty, gain work and access to education and social welfare benefits.

Department of Immigration is established with plans to increase Australia's population by 1% annually through migration.

Government begins deporting Asians and Pacific Islanders who fled to Australia in World War II.

Displaced Persons Scheme brings a total of 170,000 refugees, mainly from Eastern Europe - Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Croatia.

In the period of post-war reconstruction 450,000 migrants arrive. Many people from non-English speaking countries take unskilled work, particularly those admitted under Displaced Persons Scheme and those from southern Europe, Middle East and Latin America.

Assimilation of new migrants is a priority. Migrants are expected to take on Australian way of life and learn English quickly. Few services are available apart from basic English.

Immigration Advisory Council is established.

Australia signs agreement with Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organisation for resettlement of European refugees. Polish refugees land in Tasmania to work on Hydro-Electric Scheme

Census shows total population of 7.6 million (90% Australian born, 7% born in United Kingdom and Ireland).

Commonwealth Nationality and Citizenship Act creates status of 'Australian Citizen'; previously Australians had been simply 'British subjects'.

Assisted passage agreement with Malta is concluded.

Aboriginal people are given the right to enrol and vote at Federal elections provided they are entitled to enrol for State elections or have served in the Defence Forces.

Adult Migrant Education Scheme is established.

First annual Citizenship Convention is held in Canberra, with aim of helping non-British migrants assimilate and become citizens.

Federal Government convenes Australian Conference for Native Welfare, with every state and territory represented except Victoria and Tasmania, which claim to have no Aboriginal 'problem'. The Conference officially adopts a policy of 'assimilation' for Aboriginal people. 'Assimilation means, in practical terms, that it is expected that all persons of Aboriginal birth or mixed blood in Australia will live like white Australians do.'

Assisted passage agreements with Netherlands and Italy are concluded.

Japanese wives of Australian servicemen are admitted under permits valid for 5 years.

British migrants become entitled to all Australian welfare benefits on arrival. Non-British migrants have a limited range of benefit entitlements.

Assisted passages are introduced for migrants from the USA, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Permanent resident status is granted to non-Europeans who had fled to Australia during the second world war or had been long term residents (at least 15 years); non-European spouses of Australian citizens are permitted to apply for naturalisation.

Armenian Church is consecrated in Sydney.

Victorian Aborigines Welfare Board replaces the Board for the Protection of Aborigines. The Welfare Board is abolished in 1967.

Non-Europeans can apply for citizenship after 15 years' residence.

Commonwealth Migration Act is revised, abolishing the dictation test and introducing an entry permit system as a means of controlling immigration.

Immigration Reform Group is founded, advocating ending the White Australia Policy.

Australian citizens are permitted to bring non-European spouses and unmarried minor children into Australia; this is extended to all British subjects in 1960. 'Distinguished and highly qualified' non-Europeans are admitted for permanent residence.

Policy of integration rather than assimilation is promoted for migrants. As Australia becomes more diverse, it is seen that migrants need more help in settlement. Ethnic organisations are seen as playing a role in this process. However, while a degree of cultural pluralism is accepted, migrants are still expected to assimilate in the long run.

Western Australian Department of Native Affairs ceases taking Aboriginal children from their parents and sending them to missions for their education.

Conference of Native Welfare Ministers agrees to strategies to assist assimilation of Aboriginal people. These include the removal of discriminatory legislation and restrictive practices, the incorporation of Aboriginal people into the economy through welfare measures and education and training and the education of non-Aboriginal Australians about Aboriginal culture and history. After the Conference, all states and territories amend their legislation.

The Conference marks the beginning of modern land rights movement and widespread awakening by non-Aboriginal Australians to claims for justice by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. South Australian Premier argues for integration rather than assimilation for Aboriginal people.

The Commonwealth Electoral Act is amended to give franchise to all Aboriginal people; that is, it extends the right to vote to Aboriginal people in Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Northern Territory Social Welfare Ordinance removes some discrimination against Aboriginal people

'Freedom Ride' by Aboriginal people and students is led by Charles Perkins into north-western New South Wales in support of Aboriginal rights. The ride demonstrates the extent of discrimination against Aboriginal people in country towns, including refusal of service in shops and segregated cinemas, swimming pools, hotels and clubs.

Australia signs the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Racial Discrimination.

200 Gurindji stockmen at Wave Hill Station, Northern Territory walk off in protest at unequal pay and conditions and as a statement about ownership of their traditional land. The strike lasts 9 years and culminates in some land being returned to the Gurindji people by Prime Minister Whitlam in 1975.

Review of immigration policy substantially weakens the White Australia policy; the 15 year residence requirement for non-Europeans is reduced to 5 years.

Constitutional Referendum on Aboriginal Rights is held. 90% of Australian population vote to eliminate sections 51 and 127 of the Constitution, giving the Commonwealth power to legislate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and to include them in the Census.

Commonwealth Government establishes Office of Aboriginal Affairs.

Committee on Overseas Professional Qualifications is established.

New South Wales Aboriginal Welfare Board is abolished.

Increasing diversity of population occurs throughout the 1970s with migration of new groups of refugees from South and Central America and Africa and increasing numbers of Lebanese escaping civil war in Lebanon.

Department of Immigration funds the Child Migrant Education Program.

Migration agreement is concluded with Yugoslavia.

United Nations International Year for Action to Combat Racism is held.

Aboriginal people are counted in the Census for the first time.

New South Wales Aboriginal Legal Service is established.

Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra is set up as focus for land rights movement on Australia Day, 26 January.

Policy of self-determination for Aboriginal people is adopted by Federal Government, replacing earlier policies of protectionism and assimilation. The change means having the right to cultural and linguistic maintenance and management of natural resources on Aboriginal land.

Federal Labor Government announces that future migration policy will be non-discriminatory with regard to race, colour and nationality.

Wide ranging reforms to immigration and visa rules are made. Residence qualification for non-British migrants to be naturalised is reduced from 5 years to 3 (the same as for British) and the words 'British subject' are removed from Australian passports. There is an amnesty for illegal immigrants and racially selected sporting teams are banned from visiting Australia.

National Aboriginal Consultative Committee, an elected advisory body to the Commonwealth Government, is established

Telephone Interpreter Service is established.

Second Report of the Aboriginal Land Commission (the Woodward Report) is tabled, acknowledging Aboriginal people's link with the land; 'to deny Aborigines the right to prevent mining on their land is to deny the reality of their land rights'.

Migration from Cyprus increases after Turkish occupation of northern Cyprus.

Coalition Government is elected - retains non-discriminatory immigration policy and begins to raise immigration targets.

Australian Population and Immigration Council is established to evaluate demographic trends and the social and economic impact of migration on Australia.

Commonwealth Schools Commission Report 1976-78 endorses notion of education for cultural pluralism. Funding for English as a Second Language programs is transferred from DIEA to Schools Commission

Aboriginal Children's Service is established in New South Wales - an Indigenous community-controlled service for the care and placement of Indigenous children.

New South Wales Ethnic Communities' Council is established.

Timorese refugees flee to Australia after Indonesian invasion of East Timor

First Vietnamese 'boat people' arrive in Darwin.

Census establishes national Indigenous population at 160,000.

Commonwealth Child Migrant Education Program is discontinued and programs of Multicultural and Migrant Education commence.

Mosque at Lakemba in Sydney is completed.

Australian Ethnic Affairs Council is established.

The Central Land Council is formed.

Aboriginal Development Commission is established

Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Ordinance is passed, instituting prosecution for trespass and desecration of Aboriginal sites.

Aboriginal communities of Aurukun and Mornington Island seek Commonwealth Government support against a Queensland government-backed mining project on their reserve.

Commonwealth Government accepts the recommendations in the Galbally Report, including the encouragement of multiculturalism. This is a significant departure from previous policies of assimilation and integration.

New South Wales Government report Participation recommends establishment of Ethnic Affairs Commission.

Over 200,000 Indo-Chinese refugees in camps throughout Asia lead to the United Nations International Refugee Conference. Australia agrees to accept some 36,000 refugees.

Numerical Multi-factor Assessment System (NUMAS), or points system, is introduced for immigrant selection.

National Aboriginal Conference resolves that a treaty should be concluded between Aboriginal people and the Commonwealth Government.

National Federation of Land Councils is formed.

Link Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation is established to provide family tracing, reunion and support for forcibly removed children and their families. It is followed by Link Up (Qld) in 1988.

Commonwealth Human Rights Commission is established. It is replaced in 1986 by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

South Australian Pitjantjajara Land Rights Act is passed, the first such State Act. Anangu Pitjantjajara, a corporate body, is established to administer some 100,000km of land for the Anangu people.

End of assisted passages to all immigrants except refugees. The Special Humanitarian Program is established.

New immigration scheme emphasising family reunion and needed occupational skills begins.

Aboriginal Child Placement Principle is incorporated in Northern Territory welfare legislation. It is followed in New South Wales in 1987, Victoria in 1989 and South Australia in 1993.

'Immigration debate' occurs in response to community concern about high levels of immigration in the context of high unemployment. Professor Geoffrey Blainey, historian and academic, is critical of the Government's immigration program, in particular numbers of migrants from Asia. Public debate in the media and Federal Parliament focuses on attitudes of some Australians to Asian immigration.

Residence qualification for citizenship is reduced from 3 years to 2.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Heritage (Interim Protection) Act is passed

Review of Commonwealth Schools Commission's Multicultural Education Program. National Advisory and Co-ordinating Committee on Multicultural Education (NACCME) is established to monitor and review multicultural programs.

Federal Government announces Access and Equity Strategy to ensure that immigrants have equitable access to government services.

Major review of Adult Migrant Education Program begins.

Commonwealth Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) is established. It replaces the former Human Rights Commission and has a primary role in implementing Australia's international human rights obligations.

Don't Settle for Less: Review of Migrant and Multicultural Programs and Services (Jupp Report) reaffirms multiculturalism with a focus on equitable participation.

Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody is established in response to concerns expressed by Committee to Defend Black Rights and its Deaths in Custody Watch Committee about the proportion and number of Aboriginal people dying in gaols.

National Inquiry into Racist Violence is announced by Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in response to widespread concern that racist attacks are increasing.

Australia's representative to the United Nations Human Rights Committee acknowledges 'public policy regarding the care of Aboriginal children, particularly during the postwar period, had been a serious mistake'.

The 'Barunga statement' of national Aboriginal political objectives is issued to the Federal Government by Aboriginal leaders.

Commonwealth Government releases the National Agenda for a Multicultural Australia with the three principles of cultural identity, social justice and economic efficiency.

Following the Tiananmen Square massacre in Beijing, visas of Chinese students in Australia are extended.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) is set up as main Commonwealth agency in Indigenous affairs.

Australia becomes a party to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Report of National Inquiry into Racist Violence is tabled in Federal Parliament.

Australia's Languages: the Australian Language and Literacy Policy is released.

The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation is set up by the Commonwealth Government to foster better understanding between Indigenous people and the wider Australian community.

Torres Strait Islander flag is flown for the first time on Thursday Island

Native Title Act 1993 incorporates the principles of the Mabo judgement into law. The Act recognises the native title rights of Indigenous Australians who have maintained a 'continuing connection' with their land and waters.

Australian Citizenship Act is amended to include a preamble reflecting a multicultural concept of citizenship.

Racial Hatred Act 1995 is passed, with aim of ensuring that people of all backgrounds can live free from racial vilification, intimidation and harassment.

Going Home Conference, Darwin, brings together over 600 Aboriginal people removed as children to discuss common goals of access to archives, compensation, rights to land and social justice.

Indigenous Land Corporation is established to assist with land purchase, title transfer and the provision of financial and management advice using monies provided by the Land Fund

Enterprising nation: Renewing Australia's Managers to Meet the Challenges of the Asia-Pacific Century (Karpin report) is released.

High Court decision on Wik finds that, in some cases, native title rights can co-exist with pastoral leasehold rights. Federal Government develops 'Ten Point Plan' outlining a proposed legislative response to the High Court Wik decision, with the aim of limiting Aboriginal land rights.

The Cape York Heads of Agreement is brokered between Aboriginal interest groups, the Cattlemen's Union and the Australian Conservation Association.

National Reconciliation Convention is held in Melbourne.

National Multicultural Advisory Council (NMAC) is established. NMAC issues Multicultural Australia: the Way Forward, discussion document on future of multiculturalism as a public policy.

Australian Citizenship Council is established to provide government with advice on issues related to citizenship

Commonwealth Government releases Charter of Public Service in a Culturally Diverse Society as a way of ensuring government services meet the needs of all Australians.

Commonwealth Government develops the multicultural policy statement, A new agenda for multicultural Australia which stresses Australia's commitment to freedom and the role of democracy as the foundation of Australian multiculturalism.

All Premiers, Chief Ministers and State/Territory Opposition Leaders meet with the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation to discuss the draft Document for Reconciliation.

United Nations race discrimination committee finds the Native Title Act in breach of Australia's commitment as a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and requests immediate reopening of talks with Indigenous Australians. Federal Government rejects committee's findings.

Referendum on Australia becoming a republic is held in November and lost.