1. Immigration After World War II

2. Background
Australia dominated by Irish Catholics and Anglican Churches
Migration was restricted to those of proper “white” origins; ie. England and around that area
Anglicans outnumbered the Catholics
“White Australia Policy” a major reason for Federation
Religion measured social classes within Austrlaian Society, ie. Irish – working class, Anglicans – Upper Class.

3. Immigration after WWII
Influx of refugees following the WWII period from Europe
Influx en masse of Jews, and other ‘white’ Europeans
British assisted migration program to help repopulate Australia but a new scheme designed to accept refugees from other parts of Europe.
Arrival of different denominations of Christians – Catholics, apart from Irish, Orthodox.
Integration policy of assimilation and resistance of assimilation and growth of ethnic diversity
Increase in ethnic diversity provided a chance for Catholic Churches to increase their following beyond those of the Anglican

4. MAJOR RELIGIOUS AFFILIATIONS
Anglican
Catholic
Other Christian
Total Christian
Non-Christian
No religion
Not stated(a)
Total
Census year %
'000
1947
39.0
20.9
28.1
88.0
0.5
0.3
11.1
7,579.4
1954
37.9
22.9
28.5
89.4
0.6
9.7
8,986.5
1961
34.9
24.9
28.4
88.3
0.7
0.4
10.7
10,508.2
1966
33.5
26.2
88.2
0.8
10.3
11,599.5
1971
31.0
27.0
28.2
86.2
6.7
6.3
12,755.6
1976
27.7
25.7
25.2
78.6
1.0
8.3
12.2
13,548.4
1981
26.1
26.0
24.3
76.4
1.4
10.8
11.4
14,576.3
1986
23.9
23.0
73.0
2.0
12.7
12.3
15,602.2
1991
23.8
27.3
22.8
74.0
2.6
12.9
10.5
16,850.3
(a) Includes religion inadequately described. (b) Includes object to state. Source: Census of Population and Housing
Trends:
Decrease in Anglican and other Christian denomination
Increase in Catholic and Non-Christian/No Religion denominations
Increase in Non-Christian religions due to immigration of non Anglo-Celtic people

5. Immigration after WWII
Figure 1: Immigration Graph (
Low Population in Australia
Populate or Perish Policy
Acceptance of refugees
British migration program to help Australia’s population deficiency