About Civics and Citizenship

Events Calendar

The Civics and Citizenship Education Events Calendar celebrates significant days in Australia's History, and promotes observation of national and international Awareness Days. By providing online links to further information and teaching and learning activities, it helps teachers to make investigations of these significant days an engaging and meaningful educational experience for students.

Australia – A Commonwealth
Date:	1 January 1901
Description:	Before 1901, Australia was made up of six colonies. On this day in 1901, the six colonies joined together to form the Commonwealth of Australia.
Web links:	Documenting Democracy Australia’s Centenary of Federation
Teaching and learning activities:	Centenary of Federation – Debates that shaped the nation HistorySmiths Discovering Democracy Units People Make a Nation (Primary) Making a Nation (Secondary)

First Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	1 January 1901
Description:	One of the key architects of Australia’s Constitution, Edmund Barton, became Australia’s first Prime Minister on this day in 1901. Term of Office: 1 January 1901 – 24 September 1903
Web links:	Australia’s Prime Ministers – Edmund Barton Australia’s Prime Ministers – Wives (Jane Barton) Guide to the Archives of Australia’s Prime Ministers: The First Six Civics and Citizenship Education website

Two new territories for Australia
Date:	1 January 1911
Description:	The Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory were formally transferred to the Commonwealth on this day in 1911.
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy Unit – Making a Nation (Secondary)

SBS begins
Date:	1 January 1978
Description:	SBS (Special Broadcasting Service) began providing a multilingual broadcasting and television service on this day in 1978. SBS was established to give voice and exposure to multicultural Australia; to define, foster and celebrate Australia's cultural diversity.
Web links:	SBS Website

Birth of the Internet in Australia
Date:	1 January 1983
Description:	The Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) standard was adopted on this day in 1983. This decision would enable Australians to access the information highway in the coming decades.

Fault-free divorce passed
Date:	1 January 1975
Description:	The principle of no-fault divorce in Australian law was passed on this day in 1975. This meant that the Court no longer considered which partner was at fault in the marriage breakdown. The only grounds for divorce would now be the irretrievable breakdown of a relationship demonstrated by 12 months' physical separation.
Web links:	Australian Parliamentary Library Family Law Court

First Commonwealth stamp
Date:	2 January 1913
Description:	The first Commonwealth of Australia stamp appeared on this day in 1913. The new stamp was the subject of controversy as it featured a kangaroo and a map of Australia rather than the King of England.
Web links:	Australia Post
Teaching and learning activities:	Australia Post – Kangaroo and Map Australia Post Education (Teachers) Australia Post Education (Primary) Australia Post Education (Secondary)

Tenth Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	6 January 1932
Description:	Joseph Lyons was elected to the office of prime minister on this day in 1932. He was the first prime minister to win three successive elections. He was also the first Australian prime minister to die in office. Term of Office: 6 January 1932 – 7 April 1939
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Joseph Lyons Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Enid Lyons) Guide to the Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers: Joseph Lyons

Family Law Act enacted
Date:	6 January 1976
Description:	The Family Law Act was enacted on this day in 1976. The Family Court of Australia has jurisdiction over all marriage-related cases in Australia, including divorces, custody, and access and property settlements.
Web links:	Family Court of Australia

Nineteenth Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	10 January 1968
Description:	John Gorton became Australia’s nineteenth Prime Minister on this day in 1968. He declared himself out of office after a tied party vote of confidence in his leadership in 1971. Term of Office: 10 January 1968 – 10 March 1971
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – John Gorton Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Bettina Gorton)

Reserve Bank Act enacted
Date:	14 January 1960
Description:	The Reserve Bank Act was enacted on this day in 1960. The Reserve Bank controls Australia’s monetary policy.
Web links:	Reserve Bank of Australia
Teaching and learning activities:	Reserve Bank of Australia - Education

Australian citizenship created
Date:	26 January 1949
Description:	From the time of European settlement until 1949, anyone born or naturalised in Australia was a 'British subject'. The Nationality and Citizenship Act 1949, which came into being on this day in 1949, created Australian citizenship. Australian Citizenship Day is celebrated each year on 17 September.
Web links:	Australian Citizenship Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs – Australia Citizenship Day Citizenship Pledge – Discovering Democracy
Teaching and learning activities:	Civics and Citizenship Education website Discovering Democracy – Activity (Primary) Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs – Resources for Teachers The Good Citizen Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs – Get Into It! Quiz Australian Citizenship Crossword Australian Citizenship Quiz The Good Citizen – Games

Seventeenth Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	26 January 1966
Description:	The seventeenth Prime Minister of Australia was Harold Holt. He is widely remembered for the unusual circumstances of his death while swimming off the Victorian coast in1967. Term of Office: 26 January 1966 to 19 December 1967
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Harold Holt Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Zara Holt) Guide to the Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers: Harold Holt

Aboriginal Tent Embassy erected
Date:	26 January 1972
Description:	The Aboriginal Tent Embassy was erected on this day in 1972. The embassy claims to represent the political rights of Australian Aborigines and resides on the lawn of Old Parliament House in Canberra.
Web links:	Parliament of Australia – Parliamentary Library

Australian Institute of Sport opened
Date:	26 January 1981
Description:	The Institute, which was officially opened on this day in 1981, is Australia’s internationally acclaimed national centre of sports excellence for the training and development of elite athletes and teams.
Web links:	Australian Institute of Sport
Teaching and learning activities:	Nestle (Teacher) Nestle (Student)

Australia Day
Date:	26 January 2006
Description:	Australia’s national day of celebration – a day for all Australians to celebrate our achievements and successes, to celebrate what is great about Australia and to celebrate the values that unite us.
Web links:	National Australia Day Council
Teaching and learning activities:	National Australia Day Council (Teacher) Discovering Democracy Unit – We Remember (Teacher) National Australia Day Council (Student)

Polymer notes printed
Date:	26 January 1988
Description:	Australia created the world's first series of polymer currency notes and exported polymer note technology to many other countries.
Web links:	Reserve Bank of Australia

Canberra Design Competition
Date:	31 January 1912
Description:	On this day in 1912, applications closed for a contest to design Australia’s capital city. Out of 137 entries, the winning design was by Walter Burley Griffin.
Web links:	National Archives of Australia
Teaching and learning activities:	Reflections of a Nation: The history and design of our national capital (Secondary) The Story of Our Nation's Capital (Primary)

Defending the skies now possible
Date:	31 January 1968
Description:	The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) purchased its first plane on this day in 1929.
Web links:	Royal Australian Air Force
Teaching and learning activities:	Defence 2020 (Teacher) Royal Australian Air Force (Student)

Nauru gains independence
Date:	31 January 1968
Description:	In 1947, Nauru was placed under a United Nations trusteeship, with Australia having administrative power. Although Nauru became self-governing in 1966, it did not become an independent state until this day in 1968.
Web links:	Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Medicare begins
Date:	1 February 1984
Description:	The Medicare health scheme began operating on this day in 1984. The Medicare scheme is financed by a 1 per cent levy on incomes.
Web links:	Medicare
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy – What Sort of Nation? (Secondary)

Federal Court established
Date:	1 February 1977
Description:	The Federal Court of Australia was established on this day in 1977 with the passing of the Federal Court of Australia Act 1976.
Web links:	Federal Court of Australia

World Wetlands Day
Date:	2 February 1971
Description:	This day marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands in Ramsar, Iran, on this day in 1971. The day aims to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
Web links:	Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Teaching and learning activities:	Department of Environment and Heritage – World Wetlands Day Calendar of Events

Queen of Australia proclaimed
Date:	6 February 1952
Description:	On the death of her father, King George VI, Elizabeth II was proclaimed Queen. The Queen was crowned in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953.
Web links:	Civics and Citizenship Education website
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy – Parliament versus Monarch(Primary)

Australian Antarctic Territory proclaimed
Date:	7 February 1933
Description:	Douglas Mawson formally proclaimed the Australian Antarctic Territory on this day in 1933. The Australian Antarctic Territory Acceptance Act came into effect from 24 August 1936.
Web links:	Australian Antarctic Division
Teaching and learning activities:	Australian Antarctic Division - Educational Resources Claypoles

Eighth Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	9 February 1923
Description:	Stanley Bruce became Australia’s eighth Prime Minister on this day in 1923. He led the first all Australian-born Federal Cabinet. Term of office: 9 February 1923 – 22 October 1929
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Stanley Bruce Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Ethel Bruce) Guide to the Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers: Stanley Bruce

First woman Speaker
Date:	10 February 1986
Description:	Joan Child became the first female Speaker of either House of the federal parliament when she was appointed to the House of Representatives on this day in 1986.

Australia as a republic?
Date:	13 February 1998
Description:	On this day in 1998, it was decided that a proposal for a republic with a president appointed by parliament be put to the people. At the referendum held on 6 November 1999, Australians rejected this model.
Web links:	ABC Online – Constitutional Convention
Teaching and learning activities:	Civics and Citizenship Education website Discovering Democracy Unit – Making a Nation (Secondary) Constitutional Convention – Education notes

Dollars and cents introduced
Date:	14 February 1966
Description:	Decimal currency was introduced to Australia on this day in 1966. The series of currency notes were distinctly Australian and captured the nation’s emerging social and cultural diversity and its contribution to the wider world.
Web links:	Reserve Bank of Australia
Teaching and learning activities:	Reserve Bank of Australia – Education

Flag given Royal Assent
Date:	14 February 1954
Description:	The Flags Act 1953 was given Royal Assent on this day in 1954. This officially confirmed the Commonwealth blue ensign, first flown on 3 September 1901, as the Australian national flag.
Web links:	Australian National Flag Association
Teaching and learning activities:	Australian National Flag Association – Teachers Notes

Making communication easy
Date:	22 February 1974
Description:	The Australian Postal Commission and Australian Telecommunications Commission were established on this day in 1974.

Australian Mint opened
Date:	22 February 1965
Description:	The Royal Australian Mint was officially opened in Canberra on this day in 1965. The Mint is commissioned to produce Australia’s decimal coinage.
Web links:	Royal Australian Mint How coins are made

Voting age lowered to 18
Date:	28 February 1973
Description:	The Commonwealth Electoral Act lowered the minimum voting age from 21 to 18 on this day in 1973.
Web links:	Australian Electoral Commission
Teaching and learning activities:	Australian Electoral Commission – Education

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme commences
Date:	1 March 1953
Description:	The Australian Government's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) commenced on this day in 1953. It has provided reliable, timely and affordable access to a wide range of medicines for all Australians.
Web links:	Department of Health and Ageing

Australian Acts of Parliament become independent
Date:	2 March 1986
Description:	Australian law became independent of British parliaments and courts on this day in 1986. The Australia Acts ended the inclusion in Australian law of British Acts of Parliament, and abolished remaining provisions for appeals from Australian courts to the Privy Council in London.
Web links:	Australia Act

Neighbourhood Watch begins
Date:	4 March 1983
Description:	Neighbourhood Watch, the community-based crime prevention program, was launched on this day in 1983.
Web links:	Neighbourhood Watch

International Women's Day
Date:	8 March 2006
Description:	On this day, women can come together to celebrate their day. They can look back on a tradition that represents at least nine decades of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development.
Web links:	United Nations

Twentieth Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	10 March 1971
Description:	William McMahon was Prime Minister of Australia from 1971 to 1972. Term of office: 10 March 1971 – 5 December 1972
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – William McMahon Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Sonia McMahon)

Twenty-third Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	11 March 1983
Description:	With eight years in office, Bob Hawke is Australia’s longest-serving Labor Prime Minister. He became the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia on this day in 1983. Term of office: 11 March 1983 – 20 December 1991
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Bob Hawke Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Hazel Hawke)

Twenty-fifth Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	11 March 1996
Description:	John Howard became Prime Minister of Australia on this day in 1996. He has since overtaken Bob Hawke as Australia’s second longest-serving Prime Minister after Robert Menzies. Term of office: 11 March 1996 – Present
Web links:	Prime Minister of Australia Australia's Prime Ministers – John Howard Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Janette Howard)
Teaching and learning activities:	Australia in Focus: For kids

Canberra founded
Date:	12 March 1913
Description:	This day commemorates and celebrates the official founding of Canberra on this day in 1913.
Web links:	Celebrate Canberra

ASIO established
Date:	16 March 1949
Description:	The Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) was established on this day in 1949. ASIO is Australia’s national security service.
Web links:	ASIO Homepage

Harmony Day
Date:	21 March 2006
Description:	Harmony Day is an Australian Government initiative designed to promote community harmony, build relationships between people and address racism where it occurs in Australia.
Web links:	Harmony Day Homepage
Teaching and learning activities:	Harmony Day – Teacher Harmony Day – Student

An Indigenous promotion
Date:	29 March 1984
Description:	Charles Perkins became the first Indigenous person to head a Commonwealth department on this day in 1984. He was appointed Secretary of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs.
Web links:	Australian Biography – Charles Perkins National Archives of Australia – Charles Perkins

Norfolk Island proclaimed a Commonwealth Territory
Date:	30 March 1913
Description:	Originally under the governance of Tasmania, Norfolk Island gained partial autonomy on this day in 1913, when the island was brought under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Industrial Relations Court established
Date:	30 March 1994
Description:	An Act of Parliament established the Industrial Relations Court (IRC)of Australia on this day in 1994. The IRC took over the functions of the Industrial Division of the Federal Court of Australia. However, this arrangement was altered when industrial relations were restructured in 1997.

First census conducted
Date:	31 March 1901
Description:	The first Australian census conducted on a uniform basis was taken on this day in 1901. Some differences in the interpretation of data arose between the States, and the method of presentation of the results differed considerably. To provide greater coordination, the Census and Statistics Act 1905 was passed on 8 December 1905.
Teaching and learning activities:	Census at School – Teacher Census at School – Student

Eleventh Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	7 April 1939
Description:	Earle Page became Australia’s eleventh Prime Minister on this day in 1939; however, he was only Prime Minister for 20 days. Page was also founder of the Country Party (now National Party). Term of office: 7 April 1939 to 26 April 1939
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Earle Page Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Ethel Page)

Interstate Direct Dial Up becomes reality
Date:	9 April 1962
Description:	Telephone callers would no longer require the assistance of an operator to dial interstate numbers with the completion of a coaxial cable linking Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne on this day in 1962.

National Service begins
Date:	12 April 1951
Description:	With the Cold War intensifying, the National Service Act 1951 required all males turning 18 on or after 1 November 1950, to undertake national service for a period of 176 days. The first call-up notice was issued on this day in 1951.
Web links:	National Archives of Australia

Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Report released
Date:	15 April 1991
Description:	The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody released its final report on this day in 1991. The Commission investigated the deaths of 99 Aboriginal prisoners between 1980 and 1989.
Web links:	National Archives of Australia National Archives of Australia – Aboriginal deaths in custody

National Anthem proclaimed
Date:	19 April 1984
Description:	'Advance Australia Fair' was proclaimed as the national anthem on this day in 1984. The previous national anthem used was 'God Save the Queen/King'.
Web links:	Australian Parliamentary Library It's an Honour
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy Unit – We Remember (Primary)

ANZAC Day
Date:	25 April 1915
Description:	The ANZAC tradition – with its ideals of courage, endurance and mateship – was established on this day in 1915 when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula, Turkey. It was the start of a campaign that lasted eight months and resulted in some 25,000 Australian casualties, including 8,700 who were killed or died of wounds or disease.
Web links:	Department of Veteran's Affairs
Teaching and learning activities:	Australian War Memorial

Conference to establish United Nations (UN)
Date:	25 April 1945
Description:	The San Francisco conference to establish the United Nations opened on this day in 1945. Replacing the League of Nations, the UN was established to promote international peace. Its charter was signed on 26 June 1945.
Web links:	United Nations
Teaching and learning activities:	United Nations

Twelfth Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	26 April 1939
Description:	Robert Menzies became Australia’s twelfth Prime Minister on this day in 1939. Menzies, who was Australia’s longest-serving Prime Minister (his two periods in office totalled 17 years, 5 months and 10 days), founded the Liberal Party in 1944. Terms of office: 26 April 1939 – 29 August 1941; 19 December 1949 – 26 January 1966
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Robert Menzies Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Pattie Menzies)
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy Unit – Men and Women in Political Life (Secondary)

Third Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	27 April 1904
Description:	Chris Watson was elected to the office of Prime Minister on this day in 1904. He held the office for only four months. Term of office: 27 April 1904 – 18 August 1904
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Chris Watson Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Ada Watson) Guide to the Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers: The First Six

Fisher becomes Prime Minister for second time
Date:	29 April 1910
Description:	Andrew Fisher began his second term as Australian Prime Minister on this day in 1910. Andrew Fisher was Prime Minister of Australia three times. Terms of office: 13 November 1908 – 2 June 1909; 29 April 1910 – 24 June 1913; 17 September 1914 – 27 October 1915
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Andrew Fisher Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Margaret Fisher) Guide to the Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers: The First Six

ANZUS Treaty signed
Date:	29 April 1952
Description:	The ANZUS (Australia, New Zealand and United States) Treaty came into force on this day in 1952. The treaty outlined a military alliance which saw the three countries cooperate on defence matters in the Pacific Ocean area. The treaty remained in place until 1986.
Web links:	Australian War Memorial

Moratorium protest
Date:	4 May 1970
Description:	The first anti-Vietnam War Moratorium took place on this day in 1970. More than 120,000 people took part in the Moratorium which openly expressed opposition against the Vietnam War.
Web links:	National Archives of Australia

Coat of Arms granted
Date:	7 May 1908
Description:	Australia's first Coat of Arms was granted by King Edward VII by Royal Warrant on this day in 1908. Amendments incorporating references to the States were approved by King George V by Royal Warrant on 19 September 1912.
Web links:	Australian Parliamentary Library
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy Unit – We Remember (Primary)

Opening of the First Parliament
Date:	9 May 1901
Description:	The Duke of York (later King George V) opened the first Parliament at the Royal Exhibition Buildings, Melbourne on this day in 1901.
Web links:	Museum Victoria – Royal Exhibition Building

Parliament House: Mark I opened
Date:	9 May 1927
Description:	The first sitting of Parliament in Canberra was opened by the Duke of York (later King George VI) in this building on this day in 1927. The building was to serve as a provisional Parliament House for fifty years, before the establishment of a permanent Parliament House in 1988.
Web links:	Old Parliament House National Archives of Australia – Parliament House Canberra, 1927
Teaching and learning activities:	Old Parliament House – Interactive floor plan

New Parliament House opened
Date:	9 May 1988
Description:	Queen Elizabeth II opened Australia’s new, permanent Parliament House on Capital Hill in Canberra on this day in 1988.
Web links:	Parliament of Australia
Teaching and learning activities:	APH Stickybeak

Proportional representation adopted in the Senate
Date:	11 May 1948
Description:	The Commonwealth Electoral Act of 1948 provided for the adoption of proportional representation in the Senate. The first Senate election using this new system took place in 1949.
Web links:	Electoral Council of Australia Australian Parliamentary Library – Senate
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy Unit – Should the People Rule? (Secondary)

Walter Burley Griffin wins Canberra design competition
Date:	14 May 1912
Description:	From 137 entries, Walter Burley Griffin wins a competition to design our nation’s capital. The winner was announced on this day in 1912.
Web links:	National Archives of Australia
Teaching and learning activities:	Reflections of a Nation: The History and Design of Our National Capital (Secondary) The Story of Our Nation's Capital (Primary)

$1 coin introduced
Date:	14 May 1984
Description:	The $1 note ceased to be issued following the introduction of a $1 coin on this day in 1984.
Web links:	Reserve Bank of Australia
Teaching and learning activities:	Reserve Bank of Australia – Education

Atomic testing at Maralinga begins
Date:	16 May 1956
Description:	The British Government, with the agreement and support of Australia, carried out nuclear tests in Australia in the 1950s and early 1960s. Maralinga was developed as the permanent testing ground site and was completed on this day in 1956.
Web links:	National Archives of Australia

First Aboriginal parliamentarian elected
Date:	24 May 1971
Description:	Neville Bonner became the first Aboriginal parliamentarian on this day in 1971. Senator Bonner served in both the McMahon (1971–1972) and Fraser (1975–1983) governments.
Web links:	National Archives of Australia

High Court building opened
Date:	24 May 1980
Description:	The High Court of Australia building was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on this day in 1980. The High Court is the highest court in the Australian judicial system.
Web links:	High Court of Australia

'Bringing Them Home' Report tabled
Date:	26 May 1997
Description:	On this day in 1997, Prime Minister John Howard tabled the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s report on the separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. The report was entitled Bringing Them Home (BTH).
Web links:	Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Australian Broadcasting Commission
Teaching and learning activities:	Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission – BTH study guide Australian Broadcasting Commission – Sorry

1967 Referendum: Right Wrongs, Write Yes for Aborigines
Date:	27 May 1967
Description:	On this day in 1967, a referendum was held to alter the Constitution so that the Commonwealth Government could make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and so that they could be counted in the census. For many, this referendum was also seen as a symbolic opportunity to afford the same status to Indigenous people as that enjoyed by other Australian citizens.
Web links:	Australian Parliamentary Library
Teaching and learning activities:	Civics and Citizenship Education website Discovering Democracy Units Democratic Struggles (Secondary) Human Rights (Secondary)

Deakin elected Prime Minister for third time
Date:	2 June 1909
Description:	Alfred Deakin became Australia’s Prime Minister for a third time on this day in 1909. Deakin was elected to the office of Prime Minister three times in the first ten years of Federation. Terms of office: 24 September 1903 – 27 April 1904; 5 July 1905 – 13 November 1908; 2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Alfred Deakin Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Pattie Deakin) Guide to the Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers: The First Six Civics and Citizenship Education website

Mabo Case concludes
Date:	3 June 1992
Description:	Ten years after the case began, the High Court’s judgement was handed down on this day in 1992, thereby inserting Native Title into Australian law. This led to the Native Title Act in 1993, which enabled Indigenous people throughout Australia to claim traditional rights to unalienated land.
Web links:	Australian Parliamentary Library
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy Unit – Law (Secondary)

Metric Conversion Board established
Date:	4 June 1970
Description:	The Metric Conversion Board was established on this day in 1970 to implement the gradual transfer from imperial weights and measures to the ‘new’ metric system.
Web links:	National Measurement Institute

World Environment Day
Date:	5 June 2006
Description:	World Environment Day is commemorated each year on this day, and is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and enhances political attention and action.
Web links:	United Nations
Teaching and learning activities:	Department of Environment and Heritage

Income Tax goes Federal
Date:	7 June 1942
Description:	The Commonwealth took the power to levy personal income tax from the States on this day in 1942 with the Enactment of the Income Tax (War-time Arrangements) Act.
Web links:	Australian Taxation Office

World Oceans Day
Date:	8 June 2006
Description:	World Oceans Day is commemorated each year on this day, and encourages people to become caretakers of our seas and to conserve them for the future.
Web links:	National Oceans Office

Old Age Pensions Act passed
Date:	10 June 1908
Description:	The Old Age Pensions Act was passed on this day in 1908. The Act entitled people over the age of 65 to a 26-pound-a-year benefit.
Web links:	Centrelink
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy Unit – What Sort of Nation? (Secondary)

Racial Discrimination Act enacted
Date:	11 June 1975
Description:	The Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act came into force on this day in 1975, providing legislative endorsement of Australia's ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
Web links:	Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission Racial Discrimination Act International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination

Women win right to vote and to stand
Date:	12 June 1902
Description:	The Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 came into effect on this day in 1902. The Act allowed Australian women (with the exception of Indigenous women) the right to vote and to stand in a federal election. Australia was the first nation in the world to give women both of these rights.
Web links:	Australian Electoral Commission
Teaching and learning activities:	Civics and Citizenship Education website Discovering Democracy Unit – Democratic Struggles (Secondary)

Equal pay for women – almost
Date:	19 June 1969
Description:	The Industrial Relations and Arbitration Commission decided on this day in 1969 that pay parity between men and women would be achieved through incremental increases. Parity was finally achieved in 1972.
Web links:	Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy Unit – People Power (Primary)

$2 coin introduced
Date:	20 June 1988
Description:	The $2 note was withdrawn following the introduction of a $2 coin on this day in 1988.
Web links:	Reserve Bank of Australia
Teaching and learning activities:	Reserve Bank of Australia – Education

CSIRO established
Date:	22 June 1926
Description:	The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) was established on this day in 1926. The CSIRO develops and improves new and existing technologies in Australia and overseas.
Web links:	CSIRO Homepage

Sixth Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	24 June 1913
Description:	Joseph Cook became Australia’s sixth Prime Minister on this day in 1913. Term of office: 24 June 1913 – 17 September 1914
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Joseph Cook Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Mary Cook) Guide to the Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers: The First Six

Final Court of Appeal
Date:	25 June 1982
Description:	The High Court of Australia became the final court of appeal on this day in 1982.
Web links:	High Court of Australia
Teaching and learning activities:	Discovering Democracy Units Getting Things Done (Secondary) Law (Secondary)

Australian Broadcasting Corporation Established
Date:	1 July 1932
Description:	The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) was established on this day in 1932. The ABC is Australia's major public broadcaster, broadcasting in a variety of media, including through national radio and television networks, a digital television network, and on the Internet.
Web links:	Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Commonwealth Aid Roads Act enacted
Date:	1 July 1954
Description:	The Commonwealth Aid Roads Act was enacted on this day in 1954. Seven pence from each gallon (3.78 litres) of petrol was gathered to pay for road works. Today motorists pay a 38.143 cents a litre excise for fuel (plus 10% GST).
Web links:	Australian Institute of Petroleum

Medibank begins
Date:	1 July 1975
Description:	Australia’s first national health insurance scheme began on this day in 1975. Medibank was later replaced by Medicare in 1984.
Web links:	Discovering Democracy Unit – What Sort of Nation? (Secondary)

Northern Territory achieves self-government
Date:	1 July 1978
Description:	Although the Northern Territory had been bestowed a fully elected legislative assembly in 1974, real power remained with the Commonwealth until the law was enacted on this day in 1978.
Web links:	National Archives of Australia
Teaching and learning activities:	Northern Territory Legislative Assembly – Education Kit

Goods and Services Tax introduced
Date:	1 July 2000
Description:	A goods and services tax (GST) was introduced on this day in 2000 as part of the Commonwealth Government’s tax reform program. The GST was aimed at redressing the effects of declining revenue from income tax.
Web links:	Australian Taxation Office

Deakin elected Prime Minister for second time
Date:	5 July 1908
Description:	Alfred Deakin became Australia’s Prime Minister for a second time on this day in 1908. Deakin was elected to the office of Prime Minister three times in the first ten years of Federation. Terms of office: 24 September 1903 – 27 April 1904; 5 July 1905 – 13 November 1908; 2 June 1909 – 29 April 1910
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Alfred Deakin Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Pattie Deakin) Guide to the Archives of Australia's Prime Ministers: The First Six Civics and Citizenship Education website

Fifteenth Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	6 July 1945
Description:	Frank Forde became Australia’s fifteenth Prime Minister on this day in 1945, after the death of John Curtin. He held the position for eight days. Term of office: 6–13 July 1945
Web links:	Australia's Prime Ministers – Frank Forde Australia's Prime Ministers – Wives (Vera Forde)

Polymer notes introduced
Date:	7 July 1992
Description:	The trial of the polymer note technology was judged a great success. A complete series of polymer notes from $5 to $100 was issued between 1992 and 1996.
Web links:	Reserve Bank of Australia
Teaching and learning activities:	Reserve Bank of Australia – Education

Sixteenth Prime Minister of Australia
Date:	13 July 1945
Description:	Ben Chifley became Australia’s sixteenth Prime Minister on this day in 1945. Term of office: 13 July 1945 – 19 December 1949
Web links:

About Civics and Citizenship

Events Calendar

Australia – A Commonwealth

First Prime Minister of Australia

Two new territories for Australia

SBS begins

Birth of the Internet in Australia

Fault-free divorce passed

First Commonwealth stamp

Tenth Prime Minister of Australia

Family Law Act enacted

Nineteenth Prime Minister of Australia

Reserve Bank Act enacted

Australian citizenship created

Seventeenth Prime Minister of Australia

Aboriginal Tent Embassy erected

Australian Institute of Sport opened

Australia Day

Polymer notes printed

Canberra Design Competition

Defending the skies now possible

Nauru gains independence

Medicare begins

Federal Court established

World Wetlands Day

Queen of Australia proclaimed

Australian Antarctic Territory proclaimed

Eighth Prime Minister of Australia

First woman Speaker

Australia as a republic?

Dollars and cents introduced

Flag given Royal Assent

Making communication easy

Australian Mint opened

Voting age lowered to 18

Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme commences

Australian Acts of Parliament become independent

Neighbourhood Watch begins

International Women's Day

Twentieth Prime Minister of Australia

Twenty-third Prime Minister of Australia

Twenty-fifth Prime Minister of Australia

Canberra founded

ASIO established

Harmony Day

An Indigenous promotion

Norfolk Island proclaimed a Commonwealth Territory

Industrial Relations Court established

First census conducted

Eleventh Prime Minister of Australia

Interstate Direct Dial Up becomes reality

National Service begins

Aboriginal Deaths in Custody Report released

National Anthem proclaimed

ANZAC Day

Conference to establish United Nations (UN)

Twelfth Prime Minister of Australia

Third Prime Minister of Australia

Fisher becomes Prime Minister for second time

ANZUS Treaty signed

Moratorium protest

Coat of Arms granted

Opening of the First Parliament

Parliament House: Mark I opened

New Parliament House opened

Proportional representation adopted in the Senate

Walter Burley Griffin wins Canberra design competition

$1 coin introduced

Atomic testing at Maralinga begins

First Aboriginal parliamentarian elected

High Court building opened

'Bringing Them Home' Report tabled

1967 Referendum: Right Wrongs, Write Yes for Aborigines

Deakin elected Prime Minister for third time

Mabo Case concludes

Metric Conversion Board established

World Environment Day

Income Tax goes Federal

World Oceans Day

Old Age Pensions Act passed