Enemy Aliens

From June 1939, leading to the declaration of War, fear that some of the thousands of foreign nationals resident in Australia could become saboteurs or spies led to the enactment of the Aliens Registration Act. Nationals of countries at war with Australia were classified as Enemy Aliens having to register with the police and obtain permission to travel or change abode. 

For the majority of Enemy Aliens the restrictions and surveillance was enough. However, for those thought to be dangerous or pro-German, they were interned. As in World War I, internment camps were established, often in remote locations, to house both local and overseas internees sent to Australia.

8,000 so-called Enemy Aliens were shipped to Australia for internment for the duration of the War. The number of ‘local’ internees amounted to 7,000 including many Jewish refugees who had fled Nazi Germany to escape persecution.

This exhibit presents a glimpse into a range of responses at being classified as an Enemy Alien. Anecdotes recall some of the injustice and indignity as well as some of the humorous and ironic aspects of this predicament.

From unwanted refugees to valued Australians was made possible through a generous grant from the Community Relations Commission.