White Australian Policy timeline.

Feb 17, 1850

The origins of the 'White Australia' policy can be traced to the 1850s
Dec 23, 1901

In 1901, the new federal government passed an Act ending the employment of Pacific Islanders. The Immigration Restriction Act 1901 received royal assent on 23 December 1901.
Feb 17, 1919

In 1919 the Prime Minister, William Morris Hughes, hailed it as 'the greatest thing we have achieved'.
Feb 17, 1949

Following the election of a coalition of the Liberal and Country parties in 1949,
Feb 17, 1957

The next major step was in 1957 when non-Europeans with 15 years residence in Australia were allowed to become Australian citizens.
Feb 17, 1958

The revised Migration Act 1958 introduced a simpler system of entry permits and abolished the controversial dictation test.
Feb 17, 1966

After a review of the non-European policy in March 1966, Immigration Minister Hubert Opperman announced applications for migration would be accepted from well-qualified people on the basis of their suitability as settlers, their ability to integrate readi
Feb 17, 1966

The March 1966 announcement was the watershed in abolishing the 'White Australia' policy, and non-European migration began to increase.
Feb 17, 1966

in 1966 to 2,696 in 1971, while yearly part-European settler arrivals rose from 1498 to 6054.
Feb 18, 1973

In 1973 the Whitlam Labor government took three further steps in the gradual process to remove race as a factor in Australia's immigration policies.
Feb 18, 1975

An increase in the number and percentage of migrants from non-European countries did not take place until after the Fraser government came into office in 1975
Feb 18, 1978

In 1978 the government commissioned a comprehensive review of immigration in Australia. Far-reaching new policies and programs were adopted as a framework for Australia's population development.

The origins of the 'White Australia' policy can be traced to the 1850s

In 1901, the new federal government passed an Act ending the employment of Pacific Islanders. The Immigration Restriction Act 1901 received royal assent on 23 December 1901.

In 1919 the Prime Minister, William Morris Hughes, hailed it as 'the greatest thing we have achieved'.

Following the election of a coalition of the Liberal and Country parties in 1949,

The next major step was in 1957 when non-Europeans with 15 years residence in Australia were allowed to become Australian citizens.

The revised Migration Act 1958 introduced a simpler system of entry permits and abolished the controversial dictation test.

After a review of the non-European policy in March 1966, Immigration Minister Hubert Opperman announced applications for migration would be accepted from well-qualified people on the basis of their suitability as settlers, their ability to integrate readi

The March 1966 announcement was the watershed in abolishing the 'White Australia' policy, and non-European migration began to increase.

in 1966 to 2,696 in 1971, while yearly part-European settler arrivals rose from 1498 to 6054.

In 1973 the Whitlam Labor government took three further steps in the gradual process to remove race as a factor in Australia's immigration policies.

An increase in the number and percentage of migrants from non-European countries did not take place until after the Fraser government came into office in 1975

In 1978 the government commissioned a comprehensive review of immigration in Australia. Far-reaching new policies and programs were adopted as a framework for Australia's population development.