Rights and freedoms
Immigration Restriction Act 1901
23 October 1901
The new Australian Parliament outlines their vision for a white Australia in the Immigration Restriction Act 1901.
One of the first laws passed by the Australian Parliament was the Immigration Restriction Act 1901. It was the foundation of the White Australia Policy, a group of laws designed to prevent non-European migration to Australia. The policy aimed to define Australia as a white nation. It influenced Australian immigration for the next 70 years.
The Act drew on immigration restrictions from the colonial parliaments and expressed underlying racist attitudes. Concerns about the development of a low-paid underclass of migrant workers, which was feared would reduce wages for all, added support for the policy. The Act also served to keep a range of ‘undesirable’ people, not just non-white people, out of the country. A dictation test of 50 words was used as a way to control who could enter Australia. This test was designed to be very difficult, making it hard for many people, especially those from non-European countries, to pass.
The Immigration Restriction Act 1901 was repealed in 1958.
White Australia: March of the Great White Policy, W. E. Naunton
National Library of Australia