History of Australia in Timeline

Australia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Australia, is a vast country encompassing the Australian mainland, Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. As the sixth-largest country globally and the largest in Oceania, Australia stands out for its ancient, flat, and arid landscape, characterized by low soil fertility. Its vastness encompasses a remarkable diversity of landscapes and climates, ranging from central deserts and northeastern tropical rainforests to northern tropical savannas and southeastern mountain ranges, making it a megadiverse continent.

January 1901: Establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia

The Commonwealth of Australia was established on January 1, 1901, marking the federation of the six Australian colonies under a new constitution.

1901: Federation and the White Australia Policy

Following Australia's federation in 1901, the White Australia Policy was strengthened, restricting further immigration from regions like China and Germany.

1901: Federation of Australia

In 1901, Australia federated, establishing its system of government which divides power between the federal and state governments.

1901: Melbourne as Temporary Capital

Melbourne served as Australia's temporary capital from 1901 to 1927 while Canberra was under construction.

1902: Control of Papua

Australia assumed colonial control of the Territory of Papua in 1902, which had been annexed by Queensland in 1883.

1902: Second Boer War Concludes

The Second Boer War, which saw the largest deployment of Australian forces overseas at the time, concluded in 1902.

1906: Release of "The Story of the Kelly Gang"

The release of "The Story of the Kelly Gang" in 1906, the world's first feature-length narrative film, marked a significant moment in Australian cinematic history, sparking a boom during the silent film era.

1907: Imperial Conference

The 1907 Imperial Conference granted Australia and several other self-governing British settler colonies the status of dominions within the British Empire, increasing their autonomy.

1908: "My Country" Publication

Dorothea Mackellar's iconic poem "My Country," which inspired the epithets "the Sunburnt Country" and "the Wide Brown Land" for Australia, was published in 1908.

1911: Australian Capital Territory Established

The Australian Capital Territory, where the future capital Canberra would be built, was formed in 1911.

1914: Australia Joins World War I

Australia joined its allies in World War I in 1914, participating in key battles on the Western Front.

1915: Gallipoli Campaign

The Gallipoli campaign in 1915, despite its military failure, is considered a pivotal moment in the development of Australia's national identity.

1920: League of Nations Founding Member

Australia played an active role in international affairs by becoming a founding member of the League of Nations in 1920.

1920: Control of New Guinea

Following World War I, Australia gained control of the Territory of New Guinea (formerly German New Guinea) in 1920.

1927: Canberra Becomes Capital

In 1927, Canberra officially replaced Melbourne as the capital city of Australia.

1931: Statute of Westminster

The Statute of Westminster, passed in 1931, formally ended the UK's ability to legislate for Australia without its consent.

1938: Commonwealth Games in Australia

Australia hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1938, marking the beginning of its long association with the event.

1939: Australia Enters World War II

Australia entered World War II alongside the Allies in 1939, with its forces engaged in multiple theaters of war.

1939: Statute of Westminster Backdated

Australia's adoption of the Statute of Westminster in 1942 was backdated to 1939 to ensure the legal validity of laws passed during World War II.

1942: Statute of Westminster Adoption Act

In 1942, Australia adopted the Statute of Westminster, backdated to 1939, formally limiting the UK's legislative power in Australia and marking a significant step towards Australia's independence.

1942: Japanese Bombing of Darwin

The Japanese bombing of Darwin in 1942 highlighted Australia's vulnerability and led to a shift towards the United States as its primary security partner.

1945: United Nations Founding Member

Continuing its engagement in global affairs, Australia became a founding member of the United Nations in 1945.

1945: World War II Ends

World War II, in which Australia played a significant role, ended in 1945.

1949: Papua and New Guinea Unified

In 1949, the territories of Papua and New Guinea were unified into the Territory of Papua and New Guinea.

1951: ANZUS Treaty Signed

In 1951, Australia, the United States, and New Zealand signed the ANZUS Treaty, solidifying their military alliance.

1955: Labor Party Split

Tensions over communism in Australia led to a split within the Labor Party in 1955.

1956: Summer Olympics in Melbourne

Australia demonstrated its capability to host major international sporting events when Melbourne hosted the Summer Olympics in 1956.

1960: Rising Temperatures and Climate Change Impacts

Since 1960, Australia has experienced a rise in average temperatures by over 1°C, leading to changes in rainfall patterns and more extreme weather events such as droughts and bushfires.

1962: Australia Enters Vietnam War

Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War began in 1962, marking a controversial period in the nation's history.

1962: Commonwealth Games in Australia

The Commonwealth Games returned to Australian soil in 1962, highlighting the country's capability to host major sporting events.

1967: Referendum on Indigenous Australians

A 1967 referendum granted the federal government the power to legislate for Indigenous Australians and led to their full inclusion in the census.

1971: First One Day International Cricket Match

The Australian national cricket team made history in 1971 by participating in the first One Day International (ODI) match against England, marking a significant development in the sport's evolution.

1972: Australia Withdraws from Vietnam War

Australia withdrew its troops from the Vietnam War in 1972.

1973: White Australia Policy Abolished

The White Australia policy, which restricted non-European immigration, was abolished in 1973, leading to significant demographic and cultural changes.

1973: End of Racial Discrimination in Immigration

The year 1973 marked the end of all overt racial discrimination in Australia's immigration policies, with multiculturalism becoming official policy.

1975: Introduction of National Insurance Scheme

Australia established a national insurance scheme in 1975, marking a significant step towards universal healthcare.

1975: Dismissal of the Whitlam Government

During the constitutional crisis of 1975, the Whitlam government was dismissed, marking a notable use of reserve powers by the governor-general.

1975: Papua New Guinea Independence

The Territory of Papua and New Guinea gained independence from Australia in 1975.

1981: Medicare Becomes Universal

After a period of restricted access, the national insurance scheme transitioned to a universal healthcare system known as Medicare in 1981.

1982: Commonwealth Games in Australia

Australia once again welcomed athletes from across the Commonwealth for the 1982 Commonwealth Games.

1986: Australia Acts

The Australia Acts of 1986 severed the remaining constitutional ties between Australia and the United Kingdom, although the British monarch remains as Australia's head of state.

1989: Newcastle Earthquake

In 1989, the Newcastle earthquake caused the greatest number of fatalities from an earthquake in Australia.

1992: Disability Discrimination Act

Australia introduced anti-discrimination laws concerning disability in 1992.

1999: Republic Referendum

Australians voted against becoming a republic in a 1999 referendum, with 55% choosing to maintain the monarchy.

1999: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of 1999 was established as the legal framework for protecting threatened species in Australia.

2000: Summer Olympics in Sydney

Sydney hosted the Summer Olympics in 2000, showcasing Australia's ability to host a globally significant sporting event.

2001: Australia Joins Afghanistan War

Following the September 11 attacks, Australia joined the US-led war in Afghanistan in 2001.

2001: 2001 Australian Census: Religion

The 2001 Australian census showed that 15.5% of the population identified as having "no religion". This figure would rise significantly in the following two decades.

2003: Australia Joins Iraq War

Australia joined the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.

2003: Joining the Iraq War

In 2003, Australia joined the invasion of Iraq, highlighting the significant power the prime minister and national security committee hold in foreign policy decisions, as the decision was made without prior Cabinet approval.

2003: Adult Literacy Rate in Australia

In 2003, Australia's adult literacy rate was estimated to be an impressive 99%.

2004: First Twenty20 International Cricket Match

Australia continued to be at the forefront of cricketing innovation in 2004, playing against New Zealand in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) match.

2006: Commonwealth Games in Australia

The 2006 Commonwealth Games were held in Australia, further solidifying the nation's strong ties to the event.

2009: Australia Withdraws from Iraq War

Australia withdrew its combat forces from Iraq in 2009.

2009: Initial Renewable Energy Target Set

In 2009, the Commonwealth government of Australia established a target of achieving 20% renewable energy generation by 2020.

2011: Literacy and Numeracy Competence Report

A report released in 2011 by the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicated that 44% of the population lacked high levels of literacy and numeracy competence.

2012: Changes in Energy Sources in Australia (2012-2022)

From 2012 to 2022, Australia witnessed a 5.7% increase in energy derived from renewable sources, while energy from coal decreased by 2.6%. Gas usage saw a 1.5% rise, and oil remained relatively stable, declining by a mere 0.2%.

2012: Health Statistics in Australia

In 2012, Australia was ranked 35th in the world for its proportion of obese women, highlighting the issue of obesity within the nation.

2012: Literacy and Numeracy Competence Report

The 2011-2012 report by the Australian Bureau of Statistics raised concerns about the literacy and numeracy skills of a significant portion of the Australian population.

2014: Implementation of National Curriculum

A national curriculum, developed by the Commonwealth, was implemented across Australian states and territories in 2014.

2015: Market Share of Australian Films

Despite the dominance of foreign content, Australian films managed to capture a respectable 7.7% share of the local box office in 2015.

2015: Australians Living Overseas

In 2015, a mere 2.15% of Australia's population resided overseas, marking one of the lowest proportions globally.

2016: Education as an Export Industry

Between 2016 and 2017, education emerged as Australia's third-largest export, generating over $28 billion in revenue and underscoring the significance of international education to the Australian economy.

2017: Legalization of Same-Sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage became legal in Australia in 2017, reflecting the generally positive attitudes towards LGBT people in the country.

2018: Commonwealth Games in Australia

Australia continued its tradition of hosting the Commonwealth Games, with the Gold Coast hosting the event in 2018.

2018: Urbanization in Australia

By 2018, Australia's urbanization rate reached a high level, with 67% of the population residing within Greater Capital City Statistical Areas, encompassing metropolitan areas of state and mainland territorial capital cities.

2018: Environmental Performance Index Ranking

In 2018, Australia ranked 21st out of 178 countries in the Environmental Performance Index.

2018: National Indigenous Languages Survey (2018-19)

The National Indigenous Languages Survey (NILS) conducted in 2018–19 revealed that over 120 Indigenous language varieties were either in use or undergoing revival, although 70 of those actively used faced endangerment.

2019: International Tourism in Australia

Attracting 9.5 million international tourists in 2019, Australia secured the thirteenth position among Asia-Pacific countries for inbound tourism. Notably, the nation generated $45.7 billion in international tourism receipts during the same year.

2019: Research and Development Expenditure in Australia

In 2019, Australia dedicated $35.6 billion to research and development, representing approximately 1.79% of its GDP.

2019: International Student Enrollment in Australia

In 2019, Australia hosted a remarkable 812,000 international students in its universities and vocational institutions, highlighting its attractiveness as a destination for international education.

2019: Record-Breaking Heat and Bushfires

The year 2019 was the hottest on record in Australia, and the country experienced its worst bushfire season ever recorded from 2019 to 2020.

2020: Australia's Global Research Contribution

Despite having a mere 0.3% of the global population, Australia contributed a substantial 4.1% of the world's published research in 2020, earning it a spot among the top 10 research contributors globally.

2020: Renewable Energy Production in Australia

In 2020, Australia generated an impressive 27.7% of its electricity from renewable sources, exceeding the Commonwealth government's target of 20% set in 2009.

2020: COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdowns

In 2020, Australia implemented strict lockdowns and border restrictions to curb the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: Global Household Debt Comparison

In 2020, Australia secured the second position globally in terms of household debt, trailing only Switzerland.

2020: Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index

In 2020, Reporters Without Borders ranked Australia 25th out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom, noting the limited diversity of commercial media ownership as a contributing factor to the ranking.

2020: Bushfire Season

The year 2019 was the hottest on record in Australia, and the country experienced its worst bushfire season ever recorded from 2019 to 2020.

2021: Languages Spoken at Home in Australia

According to the 2021 census, English was the sole language spoken in the homes of 72% of the Australian population. The next most prevalent languages spoken at home were Mandarin (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), Cantonese (1.2%), and Punjabi (0.9%).

2021: Australian Defence Force Personnel

As of 2021, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) comprised 84,865 active personnel, including 60,286 regular members and 24,581 reservists.

2021: Australia Withdraws from Afghanistan

Australia completed its withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan in 2021, ending two decades of involvement.

2021: Australian Electricity Generation Mix (2021-22)

During the 2021–22 period, Australia's electricity generation mix comprised black coal (37.2%), brown coal (12%), natural gas (18.8%), hydro (6.5%), wind (11.1%), solar (13.3%), bio-energy (1.2%), and other sources (1.7%).

2021: Wealth and Poverty in Australia

In 2021, Australia boasted the second-highest wealth per adult globally, trailing only Luxembourg, and secured the thirteenth position in financial assets per capita.

2021: Human Development Index Ranking

In 2021, Australia secured the fifth position in the Human Development Index.

2021: Favorable Views of Countries and Commitment to Development Index Ranking

In 2021, a survey revealed that Australians viewed countries like New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States, and South Korea most favorably. In the same year, Australia secured the fourth position in the Center for Global Development's Commitment to Development Index.

2021: Global Land Use Statistics

In 2021, statistics showed that Australia contained 10% of the world's permanent meadows and pastureland.

2021: 2021 Australian Census: Religion

The 2021 Australian census revealed that 38.9% of the population identified as having "no religion", a significant increase from 15.5% in 2001. The largest religion was Christianity, representing 43.9% of the population.

2021: Australian Census - Ancestry Groups

The 2021 Australian census revealed the most commonly nominated ancestry groups as a proportion of the total population: 57.2% European (including 46% North-West European and 11.2% Southern and Eastern European), 33.8% Oceanian, 17.4% Asian (including 6.5% Southern and Central Asian, 6.4% North-East Asian, and 4.5% South-East Asian), 3.2% North African and Middle Eastern, 1.4% Peoples of the Americas, and 1.3% Sub-Saharan African.

2021: Indigenous Identification in Australia

The 2021 census revealed that 3.8% of the Australian population identified as Indigenous, encompassing both Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.

2021: Average Age of the Australian Population

The average age of the Australian population reached 39 years in 2021.

2021: Net Zero Emissions Target Established

The year 2021 marked the establishment of a target for Australia to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

May 2022: Federal Election and Labor Party Victory

On May 21, 2022, a federal election took place in Australia, resulting in the Australian Labor Party, under the leadership of Anthony Albanese, winning the election and forming the government.

June 2022: Australian Government Debt Statistics - June 2022

By June 2022, Australia's government debt had reached approximately $963 billion, representing over 45.1% of the nation's GDP, positioning it as the eighth-highest globally.

June 2022: Australian Economic Snapshot - June 2022

In June 2022, Australia's unemployment rate was reported at 3.5%.

2022: Economic Freedom and Global Competitiveness Rankings

As of 2022, Australia held the twelfth position in the Index of Economic Freedom and nineteenth in the Global Competitiveness Report.

2022: Defence Spending

In 2022, Australia allocated 1.9% of its GDP to defense spending, ranking it as the 13th largest defense budget globally.

2022: New Renewable Energy Target Set

In 2022, a new renewable energy target was set at 82% for 2030.

2022: Total Energy Consumption Mix in Australia (2021-22)

In the 2021-22 period, Australia's total energy consumption mix consisted of coal (28.4%), oil (37.3%), gas (27.4%), and renewables (7%).

2022: Permanent Migration to Australia

In the 2022–23 period, Australia welcomed 212,789 permanent migrants, resulting in a net migration population gain of 518,000 individuals, including non-permanent residents.

2023: UK Free Trade Agreement

In 2023, Australia finalized a free trade agreement with the United Kingdom, adding to its portfolio of bilateral trade deals.

2023: Global Innovation Index Ranking

In the 2023 Global Innovation Index, Australia secured the 24th position.

2024: Australian Defence Force Operations

In 2024, the ADF was engaged in active operations in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region, providing security and aid. Additionally, they contributed to UN forces related to South Sudan, Syria-Israel, and North Korea. Domestically, the ADF assisted in preventing asylum seekers from entering the country and provided support during natural disaster relief efforts.

2030: Ambitious Renewable Energy Target for 2030

A new ambitious target of achieving 82% renewable energy by 2030 was established in 2022.

2032: Future Summer Olympics in Brisbane

Brisbane is scheduled to host the Summer Olympics in 2032, further solidifying Australia's position as a prominent host for international sporting events.