History of Australia in Timeline

Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country encompassing the Australian mainland, Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands. Its land area of 7,688,287 km2 makes it the sixth-largest country globally. Characterized as the flattest and driest inhabited continent, Australia boasts a megadiverse environment with varied landscapes and climates, ranging from interior deserts to coastal tropical rainforests.

1900: Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900

In 1900, the name "Commonwealth of Australia" for the new federation of the six former colonies was formalised in the Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act 1900 (UK).

January 1901: Federation of the colonies achieved

On January 1, 1901, the federation of the Australian colonies was achieved, resulting in the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia as a nation under the new Australian Constitution.

1901: Earthquakes with a moment magnitude of greater than 6

Between 1901 and 2017, there were 18 earthquakes in Australia with a moment magnitude of greater than 6.

1901: Strengthening of the White Australia policy

Following Federation in 1901, the white Australia policy was strengthened, restricting further migration from certain areas.

1901: Australia becomes a self-governing dominion

From 1901, Australia was a self-governing dominion within the British Empire.

1901: Melbourne served as temporary capital

From 1901, while Canberra was being constructed, Melbourne served as the temporary capital.

1901: Colonies federated forming the Commonwealth of Australia

In 1901, the Australian colonies federated, forming the Commonwealth of Australia, marking a significant step towards independence.

1901: Constitution alongside a stable liberal democratic political system

Since Federation in 1901, Australia has maintained its mostly unchanged constitution alongside a stable liberal democratic political system.

1902: Second Boer War ends

In 1902, the Second Boer War (1899–1902) concluded, marking the largest overseas deployment of Australia's colonial forces.

1905: Australia took over Territory of Papua administration

In 1905, Australia took over the administration of the Territory of Papua.

1906: 1906: The Story of the Kelly Gang

In 1906, The Story of the Kelly Gang, the world's first feature-length narrative film, spurred a boom in Australian cinema during the silent film era.

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1910: Rise in Australian temperatures

Since 1910, climate change from increased greenhouse gas emissions has led to a 1.5 °C rise in Australian temperatures and an increase in extreme heat and heavy rainfall events.

1911: Australian Capital Territory formed

In 1911, the Australian Capital Territory was formed as the location for the future federal capital of Canberra and the Northern Territory was transferred from South Australia to the Commonwealth.

1914: Australia joins Allies in First World War

In 1914, Australia joined the Allies in the First World War.

1915: ANZAC defeat at Gallipoli

In 1915, the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) suffered defeat at Gallipoli.

1920: Australia becomes founding member of League of Nations

In 1920, Australia became one of the founding members of the League of Nations.

1920: Australia took over Territory of New Guinea administration

In 1920, Australia took over the administration of the Territory of New Guinea (formerly German New Guinea).

1927: Melbourne ends term as temporary capital

In 1927, Melbourne's term as temporary capital ended.

1931: Statute of Westminster 1931

In 1931, the Statute of Westminster ended the ability of the UK to legislate for Australia at the federal level without Australia's consent.

1938: 1938 Commonwealth Games

Australia hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1938.

1939: Australia joins Allies in Second World War

From 1939, Australia joined the Allies in fighting the Second World War.

1939: Statute of Westminster backdated to 1939

In 1939, the Statute of Westminster was backdated to this year to confirm the validity of legislation passed during World War II.

1942: Australia adopted Statute of Westminster

In 1942, Australia adopted the Statute of Westminster, backdating it to 1939 to validate legislation passed during World War II.

1942: Statute of Westminster Adoption Act 1942

In 1942, the Statute of Westminster Adoption Act was enacted in Australia, further solidifying its autonomy from the United Kingdom.

1942: Bombing of Darwin

In 1942, the bombing of Darwin and other Japanese attacks on Australian soil led to a shift from the United Kingdom to the United States as Australia's principal ally and security partner.

1945: Post-1945: Multicultural Immigration

Contemporary Australian culture is diverse and reflects the country's Indigenous traditions, British and Irish heritage, and the post-1945 history of multicultural immigration.

1945: Australia becomes founding member of United Nations

In 1945, Australia became one of the founding members of the United Nations.

1945: Australia finished fighting in Second World War

In 1945, Australia finished fighting in the Second World War.

1949: Territory of Papua and New Guinea unified

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

1951: Australia allied with United States under ANZUS treaty

Since 1951, Australia has been allied with the United States under the ANZUS treaty.

1955: Split in the Labor Party

In 1955, tensions over communist influence in society led to a bitter split in the Labor Party.

1956: 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne

Australia hosted the Summer Olympics in Melbourne in 1956.

1962: 1962 Commonwealth Games

Australia hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1962.

1962: Australia participated in Vietnam War

From 1962, Australia participated in the Vietnam War.

1967: Referendum grants federal government power

As a result of a 1967 referendum, the federal government gained the power to legislate with regard to Aboriginal Australians, and Aboriginal Australians were fully included in the census.

1970: Reduction in rainfall in southern Australia

Since 1970, there has been a reduction in rainfall from April to October in southern Australia and rainfall has increased in northern Australia since the 1970s.

1971: 1971: First One Day International

In 1971, the Australian national cricket team competed against England in the first One Day International, winning the game.

1973: End of the White Australia Policy

Following the end of the White Australia policy in 1973, Australia adopted multiculturalism as policy.

1973: Australia participation ended in Vietnam War

In 1973, Australia participation ended in the Vietnam War.

1973: 1973: Patrick White Nobel Prize

In 1973, Patrick White, the first recipient of Australia's most prestigious literary prize (Miles Franklin Award), won the Nobel Prize in Literature.

1975: Racial Discrimination Act

Australia adopted multiculturalism as policy, culminating in the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.

1975: 1975: National Insurance Scheme Introduction

In 1975, Australia introduced a national insurance scheme for healthcare.

1975: Territory of Papua and New Guinea gained independence

In 1975, the Territory of Papua and New Guinea gained independence from Australia.

1975: Dismissal of the Whitlam government

In 1975, the most notable exercise of these powers was the dismissal of the Whitlam government in the constitutional crisis.

1981: 1981: Universal Healthcare with Medicare

In 1981, the national insurance scheme became universal once more under the name of Medicare, funded by an income tax surcharge known as the Medicare levy.

1982: 1982 Commonwealth Games

Australia hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1982.

1982: Fall in the number of tropical cyclones

Since 1982, the number of tropical cyclones has fallen.

1984: Sex Discrimination Act

In 1984, Australia enacted the Sex Discrimination Act, an important document protecting human rights.

1986: Australia Acts of 1986

In 1986, the Australia Acts severed the remaining constitutional ties between Australia and the United Kingdom.

1989: Newcastle earthquake

The Newcastle earthquake of 1989 was Australia's deadliest, killing 13 people.

1992: Disability Discrimination Act

In 1992, Australia enacted the Disability Discrimination Act, an important document protecting human rights.

1999: Constitutional referendum rejects republic

In 1999, a constitutional referendum saw 55% of voters reject abolishing the monarchy and becoming a republic.

1999: Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

In 1999, the federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act established the legal framework for the protection of threatened species in Australia.

2000: 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney

Australia hosted the Summer Olympics in Sydney in 2000.

2001: 2001 Census: Religion

In 2001 census, 15.5% of the population identified as having no religion.

2001: Australia joined the Afghanistan War

In 2001, following the September 11 attacks on the United States, Australia joined the United States in fighting the Afghanistan War.

2003: 2003: Adult Literacy Rate

Australia's adult literacy rate was estimated to be 99% in 2003.

2003: Australia joined the Iraq War

In 2003, Australia joined the United States in fighting the Iraq War.

2003: Australia joins the invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Australia joined the invasion of Iraq, a major decision made without prior Cabinet approval.

2004: Age Discrimination Act

In 2004, Australia enacted the Age Discrimination Act, an important document protecting human rights.

2004: Australian Greens become third largest party

In 2004, The Australian Greens became the third largest party by both vote and membership.

2004: 2004: First Twenty20 International

In 2004, the Australian national cricket team competed against New Zealand in the first Twenty20 International, winning the game.

2006: 2006 Commonwealth Games

Australia hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2006.

2009: Australia ended participation in the Iraq War

In 2009, Australia ended participation in the Iraq War.

2009: Renewable energy target set

In 2009, the Commonwealth government set a target of 20% renewable energy by 2020.

2011: 2011: Australian Bureau of Statistics Report

A 2011-2012 report for the Australian Bureau of Statistics found that 44% of the population does not have high literary and numeracy competence levels.

2012: Change in energy sources 2012-2022

From 2012 to 2022, the energy sourced from renewables has increased 5.7%, while energy sourced from coal has decreased 2.6%. The use of gas also increased by 1.5% and the use of oil stayed relatively stable with a reduction of only 0.2%.

2012: 2012: Obesity Ranking

In 2012, Australia ranked 35th in the world for its proportion of obese women, with 63% of the adult population being either overweight or obese.

2012: 2012: ABS Report Interpretation

In 2012, the findings of the 2011-2012 report from the Australian Bureau of Statistics were interpreted to suggest that 44% of the population does not have the "skills needed for everyday life" due to a lack of high literary and numeracy competence levels.

2014: 2014: National Curriculum Implementation

Since 2014, a national curriculum developed by the Commonwealth has been implemented by the states and territories in Australia.

2015: 2015: Australian Film Market Share

In 2015, Australian films delivered a 7.7% share of the local box office, in a film market flooded with foreign content.

2016: 2016: Education Export

In the 2016–17 financial year, education was Australia's third-largest export, contributing more than $28 billion to the economy.

2017: Earthquakes with a moment magnitude of greater than 6

Between 1901 and 2017, there were 18 earthquakes in Australia with a moment magnitude of greater than 6.

2017: Same-sex marriage legalized

In 2017, same-sex marriage has been legal in the nation.

2018: 2018 Commonwealth Games

Australia hosted the Commonwealth Games in 2018.

2018: Urban population

In 2018, 67% of the population lived in the Greater Capital City Statistical Areas.

2018: National Indigenous Languages Survey (NILS)

In 2018–19, the National Indigenous Languages Survey (NILS) found that over 120 Indigenous language varieties were in use or being revived, although 70 of those in use were endangered.

2019: International tourist arrivals in Australia

In 2019, Australia attracted 9.5 million international tourists, and was ranked thirteenth among the countries of Asia-Pacific for inbound tourism.

2019: 2019: International Student Enrollment

In 2019, Australia had 812,000 international students enrolled in its universities and vocational institutions, representing 26.7% of the student bodies of Australian universities.

2019: Spending on research and development

In 2019, Australia spent $35.6 billion on research and development, allocating about 1.79% of GDP.

March 2020: COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns implemented

From March 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns and other restrictions on public gatherings and movement across national and state borders were implemented in Australia.

2020: Australia's contribution to world research

In 2020, Australia contributed over 4% of the world's published research, making it one of the top 10 research contributors in the world.

2020: Australia's Household Debt

In 2020, Australia had the second-highest level of household debt in the world, after Switzerland.

2020: Renewable energy production exceeds target

In 2020, Australia produced 27.7% of its electricity from renewable sources, exceeding the 2009 government target.

June 2021: Over 1,000 animal and plant species listed as endangered

In June 2021, over 1,000 animal and plant species were listed by Australian governments as endangered or critically endangered.

2021: Net zero emissions target set

A target for net zero emissions by 2050 was set in 2021.

2021: 2021 Census: Languages Spoken at Home

According to the 2021 census, English was the primary language spoken at home by 72% of the population. Mandarin (2.7%), Arabic (1.4%), Vietnamese (1.3%), Cantonese (1.2%), and Punjabi (0.9%) were the next most common languages.

2021: Australia's Wealth per Adult

As of 2021, Australia had the second-highest amount of wealth per adult, after Luxembourg.

2021: Indigenous population

At the 2021 census, 3.8% of the Australian population identified as being Indigenous – Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders.

2021: Most commonly nominated ancestry groups

At the 2021 census, the most commonly nominated ancestry groups were: 57.2% European, 33.8% Oceanian, 17.4% Asian, 3.2% North African and Middle Eastern, 1.4% Peoples of the Americas, and 1.3% Sub-Saharan African.

2021: COVID-19 restrictions eased

Following the rollout of vaccines in 2021, these restrictions were gradually eased.

2021: Australia ended participation in the Afghanistan War

In 2021, Australia ended participation in the Afghanistan War.

2021: Australia had 10% of the global permanent meadows and pastureland

In 2021, Australia had 10% of the global permanent meadows and pastureland.

2021: 2021: Health Care Spending

In 2021, Australia spent about 9.91% of its total GDP on health care.

2021: Australia's electricity generation sources

In 2021, Australia's electricity generation was sourced from various sources including 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 others (1.7%).

2021: 2021: Aboriginal Religions

In 2021, just under 8,000 people declared an affiliation with traditional Aboriginal religions.

2021: Australian Defence Force Personnel Numbers

In 2021, the Australian Defence Force had 84,865 currently serving personnel, including 60,286 regulars and 24,581 reservists.

2021: 2021 Census: Auslan Usage

In 2021, the Australian sign language, Auslan, was used at home by 16,242 people, according to the census.

2021: Average age of the population

In 2021, the average age of the Australian population was 39 years.

2021: Most Favourably viewed countries by Australian people

In 2021, the most favourably viewed countries by the Australian people included New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Japan, Germany, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and South Korea.

2021: Australia's ranking in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report

The 2021 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report ranked Australia seventh-highest in the world out of 117 countries.

June 2022: Protected areas covered over 22% of Australia's land mass

As at 30 June 2022, Australia's National Reserve System of protected areas covered over 22% of Australia's land mass.

June 2022: Australia's unemployment rate at 3.5%

As of June 2022, Australia had a labour force of some 13.5 million, with an unemployment rate of 3.5%.

June 2022: Australian government debt

In June 2022, Australian government debt was about $963 billion, exceeding 45.1% of the country's total GDP.

2022: 2022 PISA Evaluations

According to the 2022 PISA evaluations, Australian 15-year-olds ranked ninth in the OECD for reading and science and tenth for maths. However, less than 60% of Australian students achieved the National Proficiency Standard – 51% in maths, 58% in science and 57% in reading.

2022: Australia's ranking in the Human Development Index

Australia was ranked tenth in the Human Development Index in 2022.

2022: Change in energy sources 2012-2022

2022: Defence spending at 1.9% of GDP

In 2022, Australia's defence spending was 1.9% of GDP, representing the world's 13th-largest defence budget.

2022: New renewable energy target set

In 2022, a new target of 82% renewable energy by 2030 was set.

2022: Value of startup ecosystems in Sydney and Melbourne

In 2022, startup ecosystems in Sydney and Melbourne were valued at $34 billion.

2022: Permanent migrants admitted to Australia

In 2022–23, 212,789 permanent migrants were admitted to Australia, with a net migration population gain of 518,000 people inclusive of non-permanent residents.

October 2023: COVID-19 no longer a communicable disease

In October 2023, Australia declared that COVID-19 was no longer a communicable disease incident of national significance.

2023: Free Trade Agreement signed with the UK

In 2023, Australia signed a bilateral free trade agreement with the United Kingdom.

2024: Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2024–2030

Australia’s Strategy for Nature 2024–2030 is the national biodiversity plan that aims to reverse biodiversity loss in Australia by 2030 and meet the county's obligations under the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and other international agreements.

2024: 2024: Press Freedom Ranking

In 2024, Reporters Without Borders ranked Australia 39th out of 180 countries in press freedom.

2024: ADF operations in Middle East and Indo-Pacific

In 2024, the ADF had active operations in the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific, contributed to UN forces, and assisted in natural disaster relief and preventing asylum-seekers from entering the country.