Australia's sense of vulnerability during World War Two leads to calls for Australia to 'populate or perish.'
Nationals of 'enemy' countries such as Italy and Germany are sent to internment camps.
In 1945, the first Commonwealth Immigration Department is established, with Arthur Calwell as its first minister.
'White Australia' remains the cornerstone of immigration policy.
Schemes are re-established to attract immigrants from post-war Britain.
Thousands of displaced persons from war-torn Europe start arriving in 1947.
Bonegilla Reception and Training Centre opens in northern Victoria in 1947.
In 1949 the Commonwealth Nationality and Citizenship Act comes into effect, so that Australians are no longer British subjects.
Work begins on the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Scheme, using large numbers of migrant labour.
Aus Pop (1947): 7,579,358
Vic Pop (1947): 2,054,701
Figures taken from Colonial and Commonwealth censuses and exclude Aborigines until 1971.