What you need to know
- Who Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are and where they come from
- Key dates: 26 January 1788, 1851, 1 January 1901, 1967 and 25 April 1915
- Every state and mainland territory and its capital city
- The difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country
- What Australia Day and Anzac Day mark
- The three official flags and what their parts represent
- National symbols: Coat of Arms, golden wattle, green and gold, opal and the anthem
Who are Australia’s first peoples?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were Australia’s first inhabitants and have the oldest continuous cultures and traditions in the world.
Aboriginal people are historically from mainland Australia and Tasmania. Torres Strait Islander people come from the islands between the northern tip of Queensland and Papua New Guinea. The archaeological record shows Aboriginal peoples arrived between 65,000 and 40,000 years ago, while their own creation stories begin with the beginning of time.
Their deep connection to the land is expressed through stories, art and dance, and more than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are valued as part of Australia’s identity.
How did European settlement begin?
Britain’s jails were overcrowded, so the British Government decided to send convicts to a new colony, New South Wales. The first 11 convict ships (the First Fleet) arrived from Great Britain on 26 January 1788. Captain Arthur Phillip was the colony’s first Governor.
Free settlers, mainly from Great Britain and Ireland, followed, and this heritage strongly shaped Australia’s culture and politics. A gold rush began in 1851 in New South Wales and Victoria. Chinese arrivals at this time were the first large group of migrants not from Europe, and the population more than doubled in 10 years.
How did Australia become one nation?
On 1 January 1901 the separate colonies united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia. The national parliament, government and High Court were established under the new Australian Constitution.
The population in 1901 was about four million, but this did not include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They were only included in official population estimates after the 1967 Referendum.
After World War II a large wave of European migrants arrived, and more recent migration and refugee programs have brought people from all over the world. English is the national language and part of the national identity.
What are Australia’s states and territories?
Australia is a federation of six states and two mainland territories. Canberra, in the Australian Capital Territory, is the national capital, and each state and territory has its own capital.
| State or territory | Capital |
|---|---|
| New South Wales | Sydney |
| Victoria | Melbourne |
| Queensland | Brisbane |
| Western Australia | Perth |
| South Australia | Adelaide |
| Tasmania | Hobart |
| Australian Capital Territory | Canberra |
| Northern Territory | Darwin |
- New South Wales was the first British colony; Sydney is the largest city.
- Victoria is the smallest mainland state. Queensland is the second largest state; Western Australia is the largest.
- Tasmania is the smallest state, separated from the mainland by Bass Strait.
- The ACT lies between Sydney and Melbourne and is home to Parliament House and the High Court.
What is the difference between a Welcome to Country and an Acknowledgement of Country?
A Welcome to Country is performed by an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander custodian of the local area to welcome visitors to their traditional land. It can include songs, dances, smoking ceremonies or speeches, and is usually the first item at an event.
An Acknowledgement of Country recognises that a gathering is on Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander land and pays respect to Traditional Custodians. Anyone can deliver it, often the chair or master of ceremonies.
What do Australia Day and Anzac Day mark?
Australia Day, on 26 January, is the anniversary of the First Fleet’s arrival in 1788. It is a public holiday in every state and territory and the biggest annual public holiday. Many citizenship ceremonies are held that day, and the Prime Minister announces the Australian of the Year Awards in Canberra.
Anzac Day, on 25 April, is named after the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps, which landed at Gallipoli in Türkiye on 25 April 1915 during World War I. It is a solemn day to remember all Australians who served and died in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations.
What do Australia’s flags represent?
Three flags are officially recognised: the Australian National Flag, the Australian Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag.
- Australian National Flag (blue, white and red): the Union Jack for British settlement and inherited laws and institutions; the seven-pointed Commonwealth Star, with one point for each of the six states and one for the territories; and the Southern Cross.
- Australian Aboriginal Flag (black, red and yellow): black for Aboriginal peoples, red for the earth, and a yellow circle for the sun.
- Torres Strait Islander Flag (green, blue, black and white): green for the land, blue for the sea, black for the people, a white dancer’s headdress for all Torres Strait Islanders, and a white star whose points represent the island groups.
What are Australia’s national symbols?
Symbols that are distinctly Australian often appear in test questions.
- Commonwealth Coat of Arms: the official symbol of the Commonwealth, identifying its authority and property. A shield for the six states and federation, held by a kangaroo and an emu, with a gold Commonwealth Star above and golden wattle behind.
- National flower: the golden wattle.
- National colours: green and gold, the colours of the golden wattle.
- National gemstone: the opal.
- National anthem: ‘Advance Australia Fair’, sung at citizenship ceremonies and major sporting events.
Key facts: Australia and its people
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have the oldest continuous cultures in the world.
- The First Fleet of 11 convict ships arrived on 26 January 1788; Captain Arthur Phillip was the first Governor of New South Wales.
- The colonies federated as the Commonwealth of Australia on 1 January 1901.
- Canberra is the capital. There are six states and two mainland territories.
- Anzac Day (25 April) marks the Gallipoli landing in 1915.
- The Commonwealth Star has seven points: six states plus one for the territories.
- Golden wattle is the national flower; green and gold are the national colours; the opal is the national gemstone.
Common confusions
Wrong answers on the test are often built from these mix-ups.
Not quiteAustralia Day marks Federation.
ActuallyAustralia Day (26 January) marks the First Fleet’s arrival in 1788. Federation was 1 January 1901.
Not quiteAnzac Day celebrates the arrival of the First Fleet.
ActuallyAnzac Day commemorates the ANZAC landing at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915 and all who served.
Not quiteOnly Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people can give an Acknowledgement of Country.
ActuallyAnyone can give an Acknowledgement. A Welcome to Country is given by a Traditional Custodian.
Not quiteVictoria is the smallest state.
ActuallyTasmania is the smallest state. Victoria is the smallest mainland state; Western Australia is the largest.
Not quiteSydney is Australia’s capital.
ActuallyCanberra is the capital. Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and the largest city.
Knowledge check
Choose your answer, then open it to check.
What is the capital city of Australia?
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Brisbane
- Canberra
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D. Canberra
Canberra is Australia’s capital city. It is located in the Australian Capital Territory, between Sydney and Melbourne.
Source: Australia and its PeopleHow do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples express their deep connection with the land?
- Through national sporting competitions
- Through their stories, art and dance
- Through the Commonwealth Coat of Arms
- Through laws passed by the Senate
Show answerHide answer
Answer: B. Through their stories, art and dance
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a deep connection with the land, which is expressed in their stories, art and dance.
Source: Australia and its PeopleWhich description best matches Queensland’s environment?
- A rugged coastline, famous wine regions and fine colonial architecture
- Unspoilt wilderness landscapes on an island separated by Bass Strait
- Mostly desert in the east, with rich wine-growing land in the south-west
- Tropical rainforests, temperate coastal areas and an often dry inland
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D. Tropical rainforests, temperate coastal areas and an often dry inland
Queensland has tropical rainforests, temperate coastal areas and an often dry inland.
Source: Australia and its PeopleOn what date is Anzac Day commemorated each year?
- 11 November
- 1 January
- 26 January
- 25 April
Show answerHide answer
Answer: D. 25 April
Anzac Day is commemorated on 25 April each year, the anniversary of the Anzac landing at Gallipoli in 1915.
Source: Australia and its PeopleRevise with flashcards
Flip through australia and its people facts in short sessions.
Frequently asked questions
What happened on 1 January 1901?
The separate colonies united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia, and the Australian Constitution came into effect.
What are the colours of the Australian Aboriginal Flag?
Black, red and yellow. Black represents Aboriginal peoples, red the earth, and the yellow circle the sun.
What does the Commonwealth Coat of Arms represent?
It is the official symbol of the Commonwealth of Australia. It represents national unity and identifies Commonwealth authority and property.