Alien Registration Records

Between 1916 and 1926, and again between 1939 and 1971, immigrants to Australia who were not British subjects had restrictions placed on them in the interest of Australia’s national security. These immigrants, or ‘aliens’, had to be registered and report all changes of name, address, job or marital status. The National Archives of Australia holds alien registration forms for these immigrants. The details on each form may include: the ship and date of arrival, date and place of birth, occupation, marital status, a physical description or photograph, address in Australia.  Additionally, during World War I and World War II, many aliens in Australia were interned in internment camps.