Opening in 1998, the Immigration Museum is filled with the real stories of people who have journeyed from all over the world to make Australia their home. The Museum explores the concept of identity and what it means to belong.

The museum is housed in one of Melbourne’s most important 19th-century public buildings, Customs House, the former center of immigration and trade and a site of great historical significance. Spanning two floors of exhibition galleries, the museum explores why people have migrated to Melbourne, how they got here, what they found, and the mark they made on the city.

Immigration Museum is a vibrant, living multicultural center for all communities. Exhibitions, experiences and programming focus on what brings people together—music, food, festivals, and the traditions and stories around universal themes such as love, identity, and coming of age. Co-creation with communities and creative practitioners is key, with a focus on building empathy and social cohesion.

As part of Australasia’s largest museum organization, Immigration Museum is motivated by our changing world, and compelled to define a thriving future for ourselves and the world we share.