The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) today celebrates 65 years as a nation builder, planning and delivering Australia’s world-class migration program.

In 1945, with a population of some seven million people, Australia was emerging from World War II which had taken a heavy toll on the country. Ben Chifley became Australia’s 16th prime minister and established the Department of Immigration on 13 July 1945.

Arthur Calwell was appointed the first minister for immigration and immediately began establishing a planned migration program.

This framework has led to more than seven million people from around the globe migrating to Australia, including more than 750 000 of whom were refugees.

“Over many years, these migrants have contributed to Australia’s reputation as a powerful emerging economy and one of the world’s most culturally diverse, tolerant and accepting nations,” DIAC Secretary Andrew Metcalfe said today.

The secretary said that at the same time the department was reflecting on its history, staff were actively working on how to best contribute in the future to helping to continue to build Australia as a nation.

“The new millennium continues to present opportunities and challenges for Australia in managing its growing economy and population, and its international protection obligations as a global citizen,” Mr Metcalfe said.

“Through our migration and humanitarian programs, we will continue to deliver the skills Australia needs, provide opportunities for families to reunite and establish new lives for those most in humanitarian need.

“We will continue to welcome people formally to the Australian family through the promotion of Australian citizenship as our common bond.

“And we are committed to helping make DIAC the best immigration department in the world with programs, technological innovations and best-practice solutions to client service of which all Australians can be proud,” he said.

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