Fact sheet 223 – Migrant selection documents held in Adelaide

Postwar migration policies

After World War II, Australia took advantage of the instability and insecurity in Europe to encourage refugees and displaced persons to migrate to Australia. Using the catchcry of ‘populate or perish’, the Australian Government launched an immigration program in 1947. It was designed to increase the population by one percent each year through migration from the United Kingdom and Europe. Applicants were attracted by offers of assisted passage and accommodation for sponsored migrants. Between 1947 and 1983, nearly 3 million people – including 260,000 refugees and displaced persons – migrated to Australia. Over one third were from the United Kingdom.

The Commonwealth Department of Immigration was responsible for approving the entry of individuals and recording their arrival. Prospective applicants applied for assisted passage (producing what are known as migrant selection documents) and completed medical examination forms. They lodged their applications with the Chief Migration Officer in the capital city of their country of residence. Documents for migrants destined for the state of South Australia were then forwarded to the Adelaide office of the Department of Immigration.

Contents of migrant selection documents

Personal information in migrant selection documents usually consists of migrants’ name, nationality, date and place of birth, spouse and children, and employment details. Many include passport-sized photographs. On some documents, names of next-of-kin or parents are included. Other information available in migrant selection documents concerns travel and accommodation arrangements and medical reports.

Migrant selection documents are arranged by the date of arrival in Adelaide and by the name of the ship or aircraft flight number.
Migrant selection documents held in Adelaide
ItemBritish migrant selection documents1947–81See details below 
SeriesMedical examination forms for British and non-British migrants1947–54D1989 
SeriesMedical examination forms for British and non-British migrants 1951–59D4879 

British migrant selection documents

1947–55 (most date from 1951)

AP67/1

1969–70

AP598/1

1955–58

AP120/1

1970

AP629/1

1958–59

AP175/1

1970

AP645/1

1960–62

AP306/1

1971

AP688/1

1963–65

AP366/1

1971

AP702/1

1965

AP320/1

1971

AP718/1

1965–66

AP381/1

1971–72

AP727/1

1966–67

AP457/1

1971–72

AP786/1

1967–68

AP504/1

1972

AP754/1

1967–69

AP576/1

1972–73

AP838/1

1967–71

AP671/1

1973

AP873/1

1968–69

AP529/1

1973–74

AP912/1

1969

AP551/1

1975–77

AP1121/3

1969–70

AP591/1

1977–81

D3079

Public access to records

The Archives Act 1983 provides a right of access to records once they are more than 30 years old. During 2004 records up to 31 December 1973 are publicly available.

How to obtain more information

Other sources of information about migrants held in Adelaide can be found in alien registration documents and naturalisation case files. See also Fact Sheet 87 – Family history sources held in Adelaide.

For further information about migrant arrival records held by the Archives, see the following sources: