World Immigration News

Australia once had ‘immigration amnesties’ to grant legal status to undocumented people. Could we again?

Release Date: 2025-04-27
Media: The Conversation
Summary: Australia introduced its first immigration amnesty in 1974 under the Whitlam Labor government, allowing undocumented migrants to legalise their status without fear of punishment. This policy aimed to address exploitation and was part of a broader multicultural shift. Later amnesties followed in 1976 and 1980 under bipartisan support, granting legal status to thousands of overstayers, mainly from countries like Greece, the UK, Indonesia, and China.

Key factors for their success included simple eligibility criteria, clear application processes, strong outreach campaigns, and pathways to permanent residency or citizenship. The 1980 program, for example, translated materials into 48 languages and built trust with communities.

Today, over 70,000 people live without legal status in Australia, including undocumented workers and asylum seekers. These individuals are often essential to the economy but live precarious lives. Historical amnesties show that humane and cost-effective alternatives to detention and deportation are possible, especially when political will exists. Election campaigns could again be a platform for introducing such reforms.
Tags: AUSTRALIA

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