Flights to Australia – Whatever happened to the Ten Pound Poms?

After the conclusion of the Second World War Britain, and most of the world for that matter, was in a sorry old state. During the late 1940’s most of Western Europe remained a warzone, devoid of homes and facilities; large parts of Britain had also been ravaged by Luftwaffe, leaving thousands homeless and yearning for a new life away from the hazards of the Northern hemisphere.

As the world moved into the post WW2 era many countries found themselves struggling due to population decline and a lack of resources. In 1945 in an effort to boost their growing economy, the Australian government began a scheme known as the ‘populate or perish’ policy, those Brits who participated in the programme would later become known as ‘Ten pound Poms’. The scheme was intended to boost the population of Australia and help shore up its growing industries through a policy of mass migration. Thousands of people from across Europe were given the chance to start a new life in OZ, those selected from Britain were given flights to Australia for ten pounds Sterling, hence the name ‘Ten Pound Pom’.

An estimated 1 million Brits signed up to the scheme between the years of 1945 – 1972. The Australian government provided all flights to migrants for a nominal fee, migrants who joined the scheme were promised a new start, better job prospects and housing, however many failed to receive all that was promised. Migrants were obliged to stay in the country for two years or face repaying travel costs.

Of course nowadays getting over to Australia is not so easy or cheap. Australia continues to hold a strict emigration policy and all visitors are required to have adequate visas. STA travel recently ran a limited £10 Pom promotion for the first 150 participants possessing the required work visas. The promotion was a massive success which saw hundreds of people camping out overnight outside selected STA outlets. Unfortunately the scheme has now stopped, but I didn’t manage to find an Etihad Airways competition which is currently offering return flights to Australia.

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