Controlling series unregistered

1984-1988: Index Cards

Summary heading

CRS A9450 series descriptive note

Function and purpose

This series consists of migration case files created by the Department of Immigration (Australian Embassy, Israel (Tel Aviv), Migration Section) to document migration applications.  The files contain applications, correspondence between applicant, embassy post and Central Office in Canberra.  Most of the applications for migration in this series were successful, although it is noteworthy that a small percentage of applicants were refused migrant entry into Australia.

Related legislation

Using the series

To enhance accessibility to the case files in this series, each item’s original name-based title has been enhanced in RecordSearch with the following additional identifying information: year of birth, names and year of birth of any person or persons accompanying the person who is the subject of the file, and the nationality of the subject.  This information has been gleaned from such forms as the Application for Entry for Settlement Form M 47 and the Migrant Selection Assessment Form M 49.  The latter form is especially important as it provides information about the determination of the assessment, including the visa number allocated to the principal applicant.  Other forms and documents in the files are occasionally used to confirm personal particulars and to confirm the details of persons to be included in the item titles.  Migration Processing Checklist forms are generally attached to the inside of the cover of the case files.  These forms summarise the number of persons processed, the forms that have been used in the selection process, which documents have been sighted, details of any medical forms that may have been requested and details of visa(s).

A large number of mainly passport size colour photographs can be found in the records in this series.  For preservation reasons, the colour photographs have been removed from the files and have been placed in cold storage.  New RecordSearch entries have been created to control these photographs.  These entries are linked to the case file from which they were removed in a parent/sub-item relationship. 

Language of material

Physical characteristics

The records in this series are in beige coloured file covers, 35.5cm x 24 cm in size.  Records in the last approximately eight containers are approximately 1cm higher than the other records in the series.  A large number of colour passport photographs populate the records in this series.  The records in the series also includes a lesser number of largely passport size black and white photographs.

System of arrangement and control

An annual single number system of arrangement and control is used by the agency to control the records in this series.  A single numerical sequence characterises the system of control.  The records are controlled by an alphabetical index card system which is still used for reference (although is not in the custody of the Archives).  In the previous series, CRS A9180, a multiple number system of arrangement and control was adopted (see series descriptive note for CRS A9180).  The last file in the series is dated December 1983 and is controlled as 63/1/4/6554.  The first item in CRS A9450 is controlled as 1984/6555.  The new series came under the control of the Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs (CA 1955).

A large number of colour photographs have been removed from the records for preservation reasons and have been placed in cold storage.  This accounts for multiple instances of sub-item entries for many of the case files in this series - see also Using the Series above.

Relationships with other records

An alphabetical index card system that controlled the records in this series has been used by the agency for reference purposes.

Finding aids

The photographic sub-item RecordSearch entries in this series have the same control symbol as the parent items from which there were removed for preservation reasons.

Access conditions

Series history

The file series was terminated at the end of December 1988 when a new system was created for all posts using a barcode label system.

Provenance

Immediate source of acquisition

Custodial history

Quantity in agency custody

Disposal history

The records in this series were confirmed RNA (Retain as National Archives) by the National Archives of Australia in April 2012 under the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Records Authority disposal class 20905.  This class includes records that document the application for, and processing of, a permanent residency visa, where the visa is granted and the applicant is onshore or offshore.

Publication note

Additional information

End notes

Sources