Becoming Australian

NAA: A1, 1923/7187, p.55

While Hughes was confident that Indians would gain access to old-age pensions 'at an early date' it was another three years before the necessary legislation was passed.

Newspaper cutting from the Age, 24 August 1923

View the file in the National Archives RecordSearch database

NAA: A1, 1923/7187, pp.3–11

Srinivasa Sastri's visit to Australia was widely reported in the Australian press and, as he notes in this report, he was required to offer 'empahtic assurances' that he was not seeking to undermine Australia's restrictive immigration policy.

Published report by VS Srinivasa Sastri on the conditions facing Indians resident in Australia, New Zealand and Canada, 1923

View the file in the National Archives RecordSearch database

A1, 1930/3188, p.2

George Mahomet was 75 years old and living in an old persons' home in Young. Naturalisation would have given him access to an old age pension, but his application was refused because he was 'coloured'.

Letter from FJ Quinlan, Assistant Secretary, Department of Home Affairs, to LL Hogan & Smith, solicitors, 9 May 1930

View the file in the National Archives RecordSearch database

NAA: A441, 1951/13/6645, p.22

This was the final step in the process of becoming a naturalised Australian. The requirement to renounce your former nationality was added to the legislation in 1917 to help ensure the loyalty of applicants.

Form on which Sherif Islam was required to renounce his Albanian nationality and swear allegiance to the King, 9 October 1941

View the file in the National Archives RecordSearch database

A441

Notes on the top of the form indicate the application was originally rejected and Sherif's fee refunded. It was finally approved in 1941. It was also noted that the Investigations Branch had advised that Sherif 'appears to be anti-Italian'.

Application for Certificate of Naturalization submitted by Sherif Islam in 1939

View the file in the National Archives RecordSearch database

A441, 1951/13/6645, p.43

One of the conditions upon which naturalisation was granted was that the applicant  should have a reasonable grasp of English. Sergeant Cochran describes his attempts to determine Sherif Islam's knowledge of the language.

Report on Sherif Islam's application for naturalisation by Sergeant William Cochran of the Biloela police station, 31 August 1939

View the file in the National Archives RecordSearch database

A441, 1951/13/6645, p.44

As part of the process of obtaining naturalisation, applicants were expected to insert two notices in local newspapers declaring their intention to apply.

Central Telegraph, 12 May 1939 and Rockhampton Morning Bulletin, 10 June 1939

View the file in the National Archives RecordSearch database

A712, 1902/P9014, p.9

Until the passing of the Naturalization Act in 1903, non-Europeans could be naturalised under the laws of the former colonies. Mohamad Ali was lucky to gain his certificate just before the new act was passed.

Document issued by the Victorian Chief Secretary's Office informing Mahomad Ali (or Eli) that his application for naturalisation had been successful. Resubmitted by the applicant after completing the Oath of Allegiance, October 1902

View the file in the National Archives RecordSearch database