VPRS 3658 Commonwealth Immigration Trust Account Register

Under the provisions of the British Empire Settlement Act 1922 a number of agreements were made between the Imperial, Commonwealth and State Governments to encourage British residents to migrate to Australia for the purpose of land settlement and to augment the labour force. Overseas promotion and supervision of selection for these schemes became a Commonwealth responsibility. In Victoria a Minister for Immigration (VRG 44) was appointed in 1923 to be responsible for the State's obligations under the Act and associated schemes, including administration in Victoria of the nomination scheme, determination of numbers and categories of migrants and associated reception, settlement, employment and welfare services. Operational responsibility was exercised by the Department of Crown Lands and Survey (VA 538) from 1923 to 1927 and the Public Works Department (VA 669) from 1927 to 1930. It appears that the Department of Crown Lands and Survey continued to exercise some responsibility though this may have broadened to include other workers.Details are given of disbursements and reimbursements with names, dates and amounts being given. It appears that advances of money were made to assist in the immigration or movement of relatives and families of migrants and workers.