The nation and its people
In 1901 the six colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia. This topic covers what was set up under the new Constitution, the population at Federation, the 1967 Referendum, migration after World War II, and English as the national language.
What to remember
- 1901: the colonies united as the Commonwealth of Australia; national parliament, government and High Court set up under the Constitution.
- Population in 1901 was about 4 million. Indigenous peoples were only counted after the 1967 Referendum.
- After World War II, a wave of non-British migrants came from Europe.
- English is the national language.
Sample questions
What happened in Australia in 1901?Show answer
- The First Fleet arrived
- The separate colonies united into a federation called the Commonwealth of Australia
- Aboriginal peoples were first counted in the population
The separate colonies united into a federation called the Commonwealth of Australia. In 1901 the colonies were united into a federation of states called the Commonwealth of Australia. The national parliament, government and High Court were established under the new Constitution.
What was Australia's population in 1901?Show answer
- About 40 million
- About four million
- About 400,000
About four million. In 1901 Australia's population was about four million. This figure did not include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
When were Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples first included in official estimates of the population?Show answer
- At Federation in 1901
- After a Referendum in 1967
- When the First Fleet arrived in 1788
After a Referendum in 1967. It was not until after the 1967 Referendum that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were included in official population estimates. More than 90% of Australians voted 'Yes'.
Source: Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, p. 9. Read the full booklet on the Home Affairs website.