Australia’s immigration policy was driven by a major labour shortage after the war and the government’s intention to raise the population from 8 to 20 million in a few decades to ward off the Asian ‘yellow peril’. All departure expenses ($450) were covered by the IRO, but the government paid $22.50 for each adult immigrant. With the help of these actions, labour was recruited primarily for industries where there was a lack of local workers due to hard work or low wages. Before leaving for Australia, whilst still in Germany, immigrants had to sign a promise to work for two years in a job and place specified by the government. In 1947/1948 this requirement for immigrants was reduced to one and a half years. At that time, only unskilled work was offered: to men – in the metal and building materials industry, forest felling and sawmills, farms and road constructions, but later also in the construction works of water pipes and tanks, power plants and railways, sugarcane plantations and army warehouses; for women – caring for the sick, housekeepers, laundresses, factory workers, sometimes typists.

First, companies that lacked manpower were identified. This scattered arrivals all over Australia, from the sugar cane fields of Queensland to the forests and apple orchards of Tasmania and the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric project. In this way the Australian government tried to prevent the concentration of immigrants, especially in big cities. The biggest employer for the new arrivals was the Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric scheme. his project lasted for 25 years.Despite the fact that a large number of Latvian immigrants had good education and excellent work experience, the Australian government did not take this into account. Knowledge and qualifications gained in Latvia and Europe was not recognised.

New immigrants represented 70% of the total workforce.

The first years in the new home countries were extremely difficult for most immigrants. At first, only a few were lucky enough to find a job in their area of expertise, most had to do hard physical work. After working for two years, they were issued a residence permit for an unlimited period of time, which gave them the right to choose their own place of abode and work. After expiration of the contract, the majority of Latvians left their original workplace. Latvians gradually established themselves. Latvians owned several construction companies, workshops, shops, hotels and transport offices. After working for five years, immigrants could apply for Australian citizenship. Latvians emigrated to Australia in large numbers because it welcomed not only singles and childless couples, but also families with children, parents and other relatives. The first Baltic transport reached Australia on November 28, 1947 with 843 displaced persons, including 243 Latvians. Australia became a prominent place of residence for Latvians in exile. According to IRO statistics, between July 1, 1947 and June 30, 1951, the IRO placed 19,365 Latvian citizens in Australia.