What Was the White Australia Policy and Why Did It End?

Learn about the White Australia Policy, its impact on immigration from 1901 to 1973, and how Australia shifted to a multicultural approach.

Published

Video transcript

The White Australia Policy was a series of laws and policies from 1901 to the 1970s aimed at restricting non-European immigration, particularly from Asia. It sought to maintain a predominantly white demographic in Australia. The policy was officially dismantled in 1973, leading to a more inclusive and multicultural immigration approach.

Questions and answers

  1. What was the White Australia Policy?

    The White Australia Policy was a set of laws and policies from 1901 to the 1970s designed to restrict non-European immigration to Australia, especially from Asian countries.

  2. When and why was the White Australia Policy ended?

    The policy was officially dismantled in 1973 to promote a more inclusive and multicultural immigration system in Australia.

  3. How did the White Australia Policy affect immigration?

    It limited immigration from non-European countries, maintaining a predominantly white population in Australia for several decades.