This series comprises documents known as 'RA' (Registered Alien) documents (and associated forms and correspondence) which were used to register aliens under the Aliens Act between 1948-1965. The Aliens Act required that a Register of Aliens be established in each state under the Department of Immigration. The Act stated that every alien residing in, or entering the Commonwealth, must make application to be registered, and that upon doing so, he/she will be issued with a certificate of registration.
 
The documents in use were:
RA - Information from Aliens over Sixteen Entering Commonwealth       RA1 - Application for Registration Form 
RA2 - Application for Registration by Alien Entering Australia
RA2 - Notice of Change of Abode 
RA3 - Statement by Alien Visiting Australia
RA3 - Notice of Change of Occupation or Employment 
RA4 - Notification of Departure from Australia
RA5 - Notice of Change of Residence, Occupation or Employment
RA6 - Notification of Marriage
RA7 - Notification of Naturalisation
RA9 - Application for Issue of a New Certificate to Replace one Lost  or Destroyed. 
The use of forms 1,5,7 and 9 were discontinued in the mid 1950's.
The most commonly used form was the RA 2, which although similar in format to the RA 1, was issued for both resident aliens and aliens leaving the Commonwealth.
 
The RA 2's are blue sheets, usually stapled on to a stiffer backing  sheet. The forms had undergone slight changes in format, but usually they had the words "Application for Registration by Aliens entering Australia" across the top, followed by the personal particulars of each applicant. These include name; address; nationality; physical appearance; passport number and details of issue; occupation and family details. There is also a photograph of the applicant attached to the bottom left hand corner. Official stamps usually on the forms are for customs clearance, an Immigration one showing details of departure or arrival, and another Immigration stamp for the certificate number and date.
 
The forms are held in alphabetical order by surname of alien in either yearly runs or within nationality groupings.