Migration experiences - Australian government policies 

Overview

The changing government policies regarding migration before and after World War II. 

During these lessons students will explore the policies and practices that restricted migration to Australia before World War II. They will then examine the policies and practices after World War II, in particular in the 1950s and 1960s, that encouraged migration to Australia. Students will analyse sources to gain a deeper understanding of the reasons for restricting and encouraging migration to Australia. 

Students: 

• understand the policies that restricted and encouraged migration to Australia and the reasons for them  

• analyse sources to gain an understanding of the views of migration before and after World War II. 

Content: 

The impact of changing government policies on Australia's migration patterns, including abolition of the White Australia Policy, 'Populate or Perish.' (ACDSEH145) 

Students: 

• outline government policies and practices that restricted migration to Australia before World War II, such as the White Australia Policy, and explain subsequent policies since 1945 

• explain why the government attempted to attract more migrants to Australia during the 1950s and 1960s, with reference to the slogan 'Populate or Perish'. 

Outcomes:  

• HT5-1 explains and assesses the historical forces and factors that shaped the modern world and Australia 

• HT5-3 explains and analyses the motives and actions of past individuals and groups in the historical contexts that shaped the modern world and Australia

• HT5-5 identifies and evaluates the usefulness of sources in the historical inquiry process 

• HT5-10 selects and uses appropriate oral, written, visual and digital forms to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences 

Students will explore the attitudes of Queenslanders to Pacific Islander workers and the laws that governed them.   

Content: 

The impact of changing government policies on Australia's migration patterns, including abolition of the White Australia Policy, 'Populate or Perish'. (ACDSEH145)  

Students:

• outline government policies and practices that restricted migration to Australia before World War II, such as the White Australia Policy, and explain subsequent policies since 1945.

Outcomes:  

• HT5-3 explains and analyses the motives and actions of past individuals and groups in the historical contexts that shaped the modern world and Australia

• HT5-5 identifies and evaluates the usefulness of sources in the historical inquiry process 

Students will examine sources to gain an understanding of the Immigration Restriction Act, 1901 and the reasons behind it.  

Content: 

The impact of changing government policies on Australia's migration patterns, including abolition of the White Australia Policy, 'Populate or Perish'. (ACDSEH145)  

Students:  

• outline government policies and practices that restricted migration to Australia before World War II, such as the White Australia Policy, and explain subsequent policies since 1945. 

Outcomes:  

• HT5-1 explains and assesses the historical forces and factors that shaped the modern world and Australia 

• HT5-5 identifies and evaluates the usefulness of sources in the historical inquiry process 

Students will learn about the changing migration policy of Australia post-World War II. They will examine the reasons for the change and analyse sources. They will write an extended response to the question: explain why the government attempted to attract more migrants to Australia during the 1950s and 1960s, with reference to the slogan 'Populate or Perish'.  

Content: 

The impact of changing government policies on Australia's migration patterns, including abolition of the White Australia Policy, 'Populate or Perish'. (ACDSEH145)  

Students: 

• explain why the government attempted to attract more migrants to Australia during the 1950s and 1960s, with reference to the slogan 'Populate or Perish'. 

Outcomes:  

• HT5-3 explains and analyses the motives and actions of past individuals and groups in the historical contexts that shaped the modern world and Australia

• HT5-5 identifies and evaluates the usefulness of sources in the historical inquiry process 

• HT5-10 selects and uses appropriate oral, written, visual and digital forms to communicate effectively about the past for different audiences