Commonwealth Hostels Limited
CHL · Commonwealth Hostels Ltd
October 1951 – 1978
Renamed Commonwealth Accommodation and Catering Services Limited in 1978.
Commonwealth-owned company, registered in Victoria, that ran the government's network of migrant and workers' hostels during the post-war assisted migration program, at its peak operating more than 60 hostels across Australia. It also came to provide catering and accommodation for other, non-migrant Commonwealth facilities.
Names over time
- Commonwealth Hostels Limited1951–1978
- Commonwealth Accommodation and Catering Services Limited1978–1988
How it came into existence
Set up as a company in October 1951 and registered under the Victorian companies legislation, with operation of the Commonwealth's hostels passing to it from January 1952. The hostels had until then been run directly by Commonwealth departments, chiefly the Department of Labour and National Service.
- Operation of Commonwealth workers' and migrant hostels
The company took over the hostels from January 1952; that they came mainly from this department is not confirmed.
How it ended
Renamed Commonwealth Accommodation and Catering Services Limited in 1978, the migrant hostels being reorganised as migrant centres around the same time.
Main functions
- Operation of migrant hostels
- Accommodation for workers and assisted migrants
- Catering services for Commonwealth hostels and facilities
- Collection of hostel tariffs
Where it sits
Last in the portfolio of Department of Immigration and Ethnic Affairs.
Lineage
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Sources
Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.