The nation of Australia
In 1901, the separate colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia. It was at this time that our national democratic institutions, including our national parliament, government and the High Court were established under the new Australian Constitution. In 1901, Australia’s population was about four million. This number did not include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, as it was not until after a Referendum in 1967 that they were included in official estimates of the Australian population.
Throughout the first half of the 20th century, migration levels rose and fell. There were programs to actively encourage British migrants to settle here, and many did.
A wave of non-British migration came after World War II, when millions of people in Europe had to leave their homelands. Large numbers of Europeans came to Australia to build a new life.
In recent years, our migration and refugee programs have brought people to Australia from all over the world. People have come here to join family, to make a new life, or to escape poverty, war or persecution. The diversity of Australia’s population has increased over the last two centuries. This diverse and prosperous society enhances Australia’s connection to the world. While we celebrate the diversity of Australia’s people, we also aim to build a cohesive and unified nation.
Australia’s national language is English. It is part of our national identity. In keeping with Australian values, migrants should learn and use English to help them participate in Australian society. Communicating in English is important for making the most of living and working in Australia.
Other languages are also valued, including more than 100 distinct Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages.
Test yourself on this topic
14 questions on this topic, each with the answer explained.
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- The 1851 gold rush
- The 1967 Referendum
- The arrival of the First Fleet
- World War II
Explanation: After the Second World War many people from across Europe, not just Britain, settled in Australia.
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- About four hundred thousand people
- About one hundred million people
- About forty million people
- About four million people
Explanation: At the time of Federation roughly four million people were counted as living in Australia.
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- 1901
- 1967
- 1945
- 1851
Explanation: The 1967 Referendum led to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples being counted in Australia's official population.
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- Chinese migrants
- African migrants
- American migrants
- British migrants
Explanation: Programs at that time were designed to bring British migrants to Australia, and many of them came.
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- More than 100
- Fewer than five
- About ten
- Exactly fifty
Explanation: Australia values other languages too, including well over a hundred separate Indigenous languages.
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- To join family already living here
- To escape war in their own country
- To be sent to prison in Australia
- To search for gold in the colonies
Explanation: Today's migration and refugee programs bring people who want to be with family or who are fleeing danger at home.
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- 1901
- 1851
- 1967
- 1788
Explanation: Federation took place in 1901, when the colonies joined together as one country.
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- They stopped completely
- They rose every single year
- They fell every single year
- They rose and fell
Explanation: Migration numbers went up and down over those years rather than following one steady direction.
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- English
- Spanish
- Mandarin
- French
Explanation: English is the national language and forms part of Australia's national identity.
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- The Commonwealth of Australia
- The United Colonies of Australia
- The Australian Federation of States
- The Colony of New South Wales
Explanation: When the colonies joined together they became one nation called the Commonwealth of Australia.
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- The national parliament
- The High Court
- The colonies of New South Wales and Victoria
- The Referendum of 1967
Explanation: At Federation the Constitution created Australia's national democratic institutions, among them the parliament and the High Court.
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- Children born in the new federation of states
- Convicts transported out from Great Britain
- Migrants who had recently arrived from Europe
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Explanation: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were not counted in official population estimates until after a later referendum.
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- Millions of people in Europe had to leave their homelands
- They came to search for gold in New South Wales and Victoria
- They were transported as convicts by the British Government
- They were invited to help write the Australian Constitution
Explanation: The war forced millions of Europeans out of their home countries, and many of them built new lives in Australia.
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- It is the only language allowed in Australia
- It is required before they can bring family here
- It replaces the languages spoken in their homes
- It helps them take part in Australian society
Explanation: Speaking English helps people join in with work and community life and make the most of living in Australia.
From Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, the official booklet