Black and White photograph, three passengers on the deck of migrant ship MV NAPOLI as it moves up Sydney Harbour. The Harbour Bridge can be seen in the background.

Migration

If your cultural heritage is from over the seas, then learn about how we collect, celebrate and share the diverse immigrant experiences that contribute to Australia’s vibrant society.

Nearly half of all Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas and since 1945 nearly eight million migrants have stepped ashore to infuse modern Australia with more than 200 different cultural and linguistic traditions.

The history of Australia is a story of journeys. People came across the seas searching for a place where they could belong.

They joined those who already belonged to the bamal (earth) and badu (waters) of Australia, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

With them, they brought hundreds of different cultural and linguistic traditions. Their journeys were sometimes peaceful and sometimes violent.  

The Australian National Maritime Museum invites you to follow these stories that shaped this island nation.  

Do you have an immigration story to tell? Email us at Curator@sea.museum  

Search our collection for immigration objects

A few frequently asked questions

Australia’s National Monument to Migration

The National Monument is one of the museum's most important and visible tributes to our migration heritage 

Two people in front of the National Monument to Migration
Female in front of  the National Monument

Find your Monument entry

Looking for a name on the National Monument to Migration wall? Use our search tool to find your or a loved one's name as well as their position on the wall. 

Tự Do Reference Group

The museum has assembled a group of experts and community representatives to support and guide its efforts around the refugee vessel Tự Do. The members meet twice a year to provide non-binding advice for preserving and presenting this unique migration object.  

  • Dr Dacchi Dang, Artist, Sydney
  • Dr Anh Nguyen Austen, Academic, Melbourne
  • Angela Wong, PhD Student, Sydney
  • Paige Taylor, Curator, Darwin
  • Nathan Pharaoh, Conservator, Canberra
  • Julie Ly, Businesswoman, Sydney
  • Dr Tran Nguyen, Doctor, Sydney