What are your origins?
Where have Victorians come from?
Why did they come?
Origins is based on government census information gathered in Victoria since 1854 until 2016. The 2021 census data is not yet reflected on this website. The 1971 Census was the first Australian Census to fully include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Because of this, the Immigration Museum acknowledges that Census data preceding 1971 cannot provide an accurate representation of the Australian population.
Origins contains information about Victorian communities from 85 countries of origin selected on the basis of population size.
The history of each community was compiled from a range of sources, including James Jupp's The Australian People, SBS World Guide and information supplied by community members and organisations.
Wherever possible, Origins includes texts in the official languages of the country of origin. The data categories listed in Origins reflects the categories designated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The photographs have been sourced from community members, public libraries and private archives.
Origins was researched, designed and built by Museums Victoria.
The Immigration Museum acknowledges the people of the Woi Wurrung (Wurundjeri) and Boon Wurrung peoples of the East Kulin Nations as traditional owners of the land where we meet, share work and operate. We pay our respects to Elders, past, present and emerging of all First Peoples language groups and communities across Victoria and Australia; and all First Nations people around the world. Sovereignty was never ceded and we are mindful of this in everything we do.
Acknowledgements
Museums Victoria would like to thank all those communities and individuals who contributed information and photographs.
Museums Victoria also acknowledges the work of SBS Radio Melbourne in providing translations and voice recordings and the Australian Bureau of Statistics for providing data.