The Chandris Line ship Australis was the last ship to bring assisted migrants to Australia. The ship was the former America, built 1940 for United States Line. It was bought by Chandris in 1964. Chandris had obtained the Australian government contract for carrying assisted passage migrants in 1970. Previously this contract had been held by the Italian line Sitmar who won it in 1955.

Both of these shipping lines operated one class air-conditioned vessels. When the Italian shipping line Sitmar was awarded the contract there had been consternation among British shipping lines.

Australis was built as America in 1940 for the United States Line. America was considered the pride of the United States Merchant Marine and was designed by William Francis Gibbs the leading naval architect of the 20th century. In May 1941 the ship along with many other American vessels was requisitioned by the United States government as a troopship.

Chandris Lines renamed the ship Australis after purchasing it and placed it on the Europe/Australia run. Five round voyages a year were scheduled and the trip to Australia usually took about 28 days at a regular speed of 22 knots. The outward voyage carried primarily British and European migrants.

Australis remained on this run for the next 13 years and on 18 November 1977 left Southampton with 650 British migrants. The ship's 62nd voyage would be its last carrying assisted migrants. The ship docked in Sydney 17 December. Following this voyage Australis was put up for sale.