Immigration Restriction Act 1901 - Provisions of The Act

Provisions of The Act

The initial bill was based on similar legislation in South Africa. The Act specifically prohibited various classes of people from immigrating, including people with infectious diseases, people who had recently been imprisoned, prostitutes or pimps, and "idiots" or "insane" persons. However, the Act also made several exceptions, which automatically allowed certain classes of people to enter Australia. All members of the British Army or the Royal Navy, the captain and crew of any ship visiting an Australian port, any person sent on the business of a foreign government, family members of permitted immigrants, and former residents of Australia were allowed to enter the country. Prospective immigrants were also allowed to apply for a Certificate of Exemption, issued by the Minister for External Affairs (or a representative) which would exempt a person from the provisions of the Act for a specified time.