Australians vote on enshrining an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Voice in the Constitution; the proposal is rejected

Affordability and homelessness become central social issues

Interest rate rises and housing stress dominate public debate

Recovery continues across QLD and NSW; resilience and disaster funding become major policy themes

First Labor budget focuses on cost of living, climate, and rebuilding services.

Public and political discussion grows around nuclear-powered submarines and regional security.

Anthony Albanese becomes Prime Minister; Labor forms government, ending nearly a decade of Coalition rule

Severe flooding hits Brisbane, Lismore and surrounding regions; one of Australia’s worst flood disasters.

PM Scott Morrison & French President Emmanuel Macron accuse each other of lying over the way Morrison cancelled their submarine contract

Australia begins easing border closures for citizens and permanent residents.

US President Joe Biden tells France’s President Emmanuel Macron, that the US was ‘clumsy’ in Aussie sub deal

A severe storm caused flash flooding and damage in Melbourne

A tornado touches down in Armidale ripping roofs from houses and flipping vehicles.

Severe bushfires broke out across NSW, causing widespread damage and evacuations

Dominic Perrottet becomes Premier of NSW and leader of the Liberal Party

Gladys Berejiklian resigns as Premier of New South Wales

A tornado touches down in the NSW Central West, demolishing homes in Peel and Meadow Flat. Three people are left injured.

Melbourne experiences a 5.9 magnitude earthquake, with the epicentre being around the Mansfield area in north-eastern Victoria. The quake's effects were felt as far away as Tasmania and Adelaide.

Australia cancels its Attack-class submarine submarine construction deal with France in favour of the AUKUS security alliance with the United States and United Kingdom

The national Census of Population and Housing is held.

Australian Travel Bubble is suspended with New Zealand over concerns for the rising cases in Australia. [Covid-19]

South Australia pauses travel to New Zealand after snap lockdown declared in state. [Covid-19]

Victoria pauses quarantine free travel to New Zealand [Covid-19]

Queensland regains travel bubble and quarantine-free flights to New Zealand. [Covid-19]

World No. 1 women's tennis player Australian Ash Barty wins her first Wimbledon ladies' singles title

Tasman travel bubble resumes between Northern Territory & New Zealand [Covid-19]

Tasman travel bubble resumes between Western Australia & New Zealand [Covid-19]

Victoria permitted to travel to New Zealand provided they hadn't visited a designated hotspot. [Covid-19]

Tasmania permitted to travel to New Zealand provided they hadn't visited a designated hotspot. [Covid-19]

The ACT permitted to travel to New Zealand provided they hadn't visited a designated hotspot. [Covid-19]

South Australia once again allowed to travel to New Zealand provided they hadn't visited a designated hotspot. [Covid-19]

Total travel bubble paused from all Australian states to New Zealand [Covid-19]

Quarantine-free travel is paused from New South Wales to New Zealand [Covid-19]

Victoria regains quarantine-free links to New Zealand. [Covid-19]

Quarantine free travel from Victoria to New Zealand suspended, following a community cluster in Melbourne.

New South Wales & New Zealand travel resumes. [Covid-19]

Quarantine-free travel is suspended between New South Wales & New Zealand following a community outbreak in Sydney [Covid-19]

Flights from Western Australian to New Zealand paused for 24 hours. [Covid-19]

New Zealand resumes quarantine-free travel with Western Australia. [Covid-19]

Travel between New Zealand and Western Australia is suspended following a 3 day lockdown in the metropolitan area of Perth. [Covid-19]

Australia and New Zealand start their safe travel bubble arrangement. [Covid-19]

The first Australian died from thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), after vaccination with the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

A 3 day lockdown is imposed on the Brisbane, Logan, Moreton Bay, Ipswich and Redlands to stop the spread of a UK COVID-19 variant

A rain bomb impacts the New South Wales Mid North Coast and Western Sydney, causing major flooding and evacuations.

The Tasmanian state election is held. Peter Gutwein's Liberal government is returned for a third term.

Tens of thousands of people attend March 4 Justice rallies across Australia calling for an end to gender-based violence and workplace harassment.

The Western Australian state election is held with the incumbent McGowan Labor government winning with a large majority.

First Australian to receive the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine

300,000 doses of the Oxford–AstraZeneca vaccine arrived at Sydney airport

The first public COVID-19 vaccination in Australia, with the Pfizer–BioNTech vaccine

Facebook blocked news to Australians on its platform over a dispute regarding a proposed law which would force it and Google to pay news publishers for content

142,000 doses of the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine arrived in Australia

The words of the Australian national anthem, "Advance Australia Fair", are changed, amending the line "For we are young and free" to "For we are one and free"

Queensland state election : Annastacia Palaszczuk's Labor government is returned for a third term with an increased majority

Australian Capital Territory general election: Andrew Barr's Labor government is returned for a sixth 4 year term

The overnight curfew was suspended in Victoria. [Covid-19]

A further 200 whales are stranded on Tasmania's West Coast, making the event the largest cetacean stranding in Australia's recorded history

Around 250 pilot whales beach themselves at various locations on Tasmania's West Coast near Macquarie Heads.

Northern Territory general election: Michael Gunner's Labor government is returned for a second 4 year term

Parkes Observatory is added to the National Heritage List

An overnight curfew was introduced in Victoria [Covid-19]

New South Wales closes it's common border with Victoria, following a large spike in cases in parts of Melbourne [Covid-19]

Victoria closes it's common border with New South Wales, following a large spike in cases in parts of Melbourne [Covid-19]

All international arrivals into Melbourne were suspended. [Covid-19]

The Western Australian Government announced the state would move into "Phase 4", permitting some of the most relaxed Covid-19 restrictions in the country

Victoria's "second wave" of Covid-19 ended when it recorded zero new cases and zero deaths statewide for the first time since 9 June

Victoria's first wave of Covid-19 begins

Victorian Government announced the re-tightening of Covid-19 restrictions on household gatherings following a spike in community transmitted cases over the previous week

New South Wales and Victoria reported no new cases of Covid-19 for the previous 24 hours. Queensland and Western Australia report one new (international) case each, the lowest national total since February

Rio Tinto blows up the Juukan Gorge, a region inhabited by Australian Aborigines for 46,000 years, to expand an iron ore mine

Perth Airport blocks runways with bulldozers to pressure Virgin Australia Airlines Pty Ltd to pay its $16 million debt

Queensland banned interstate arrivals, with only Queensland residents and those granted 'exemption' being allowed entry [Covid-19]

The High Court unanimously quashes Cardinal George Pell's convictions

At least 12 deaths and more than 700 cases of coronavirus in Australia are now linked to the cruise ship Ruby Princess

New national restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus are put in place through the Public Health Act 2010, via Sect 7 of the Act. [Covid-19]

The Northern Territory closed their borders, with all interstate arrivals being required to self-isolate for 14 days. [Covid-19]

South Australia closed their borders, with all interstate arrivals being required to self-isolate for 14 days. [Covid19]

Western Australia closed their borders, with all interstate arrivals being required to self-isolate for 14 days [Covid-19]

The cruise ship Ruby Princess disembarked passengers in Sydney despite several of them, and some crew, showing symptoms of coronavirus [Covid-19]

Australia closed its borders to all non-residents and non-Australian citizens.. A ban was imposed on Australians travelling overseas unless exempt. [Covid-19]

Tasmania imposing a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all "non-essential" travellers to the state, including returning residents. [Covid-19]

All travellers arriving in or returning to Australia were required to self-isolate for 14 days (Covid-19)

Morrison announces that all travellers arriving in or returning to Australia from overseas must self-isolate for 14 days, mirroring a similar requirement imposed by New Zealand [Covid-19]

The 2020 Australian Grand Prix is cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic

The World Health Organisation (WHO) declared the coronavirus outbreak a pandemic

Australia reported its 100th case of Covid-19. Australia's first wave begins.

Australian Associated Press announces it will close its newswire service in June, after 85 years in operation.

Australia records its first death from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements announced to look into the fires that devastated the country over summer. 18 million hectares (44 million acres) burned, 28 people died, and 3,000 homes were destroyed,

General Motors announces it is pulling its Holden brand from Australia.

Australia banned the entry of foreign nationals who had been in mainland China, and ordered its own returning citizens who had been in China to self-quarantine for 14 days [Covid-19]

The ACT becomes the first Australian region to legalise recreational cannabis

WHO declared the outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern

Australia confirms its first COVID-19 case in Melbourne

Biosecurity officials began screening arrivals on flights from Wuhan to Sydney for Covid-19

Melbourne records first case of Covid-19. On same day Sydney recorded 3 more cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirms its concern about Coronavirus outbreak

The New South Wales town of Eden is evacuated due to the bushfires.

Bushfires devastate parts of New South Wales, causing significant damage and loss of life

A novel coronavirus that caused a respiratory illness was identified in Wuhan, Hubei, China, in December 2019, and reported to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Budj Bim Cultural Landscape inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage. One of the world’s oldest and most extensive aquaculture sites, dating back at least 6600 years.

Scott Morrison remains Australian prime minister in surprise win election

Scott Morrison succeeds Malcolm Turnbull as Australian prime minister.

The first weddings under the amended same-sex marriage law occurred.

Same-sex marriage bill comes into effect. Couples still had to wait the 1 month waiting time to get married.

The same-sex marriage referendum produced 61.6% of respondents voting "YES" for same-sex marriage.

Australian federal election: Malcolm Turnbull remains as Prime Minister of Australia.

The Matagurup Refugee Camp is founded in Perth to defend Aboriginal Rights

Death of Malcolm Fraser, 22nd Prime Minister of Australia.

A lone gunman held hostage 10 customers and 8 employees of a Lindt chocolate café in the APA Building in Martin Place, Sydney, Australia.

Carbon price is dropped by the Abbott Government.

Over 100 bushfires burnt across the state of New South Wales. 2 fatalities & 248 houses and other structures destroyed.

Australian federal election: Tony Abbott defeats Kevin Rudd to become the 28th Prime Minister of Australia.

Kevin Rudd defeats Julia Gillard in a leadership spill, 57 votes to 45. Gillard resigns from parliament, Rudd is sworn in as prime minister.

Carbon price introduced by the Gillard Government.

Australian federal election: Election results in hung Parliament and narrow victory by Julia Gillard (ALP) over Tony Abbott (Lib-Nat Coalition)

Liberal Ken Wyatt becomes the first Aboriginal elected to the Australian House of Representatives

Julia Gillard challenged and replaced Kevin Rudd as leader of the Labor Party to become the 27th and first female Prime Minister of Australia.

Black Saturday bushfires: Massive bushfires swept across Victoria, resulting in 173 fatalities

Quentin Bryce assumed office as Governor-General of Australia & the first female

Longest heatwave for an Australian capital city recorded in Adelaide.

Heath Ledger Dies from an accidental prescription drug intoxication

Australian federal election: Kevin Rudd (Australian Labor Party) defeats John Howard (Liberal-National Coalition) to become the 26th Prime Minister of Australia.

Australia avoids recession amidst Global Financial Crisis

Peter Brock, an Australian motor racing driver, was killed in an accident on the Targa West road rally

Australian Forces are again deployed to East Timor to help stabilize the country

The Commonwealth Games are held in Melbourne.

The Wandoo fire in New South Wales burnt over 9,000 hectares of farmland.

Media mogul Kerry Packer dies. Claimed to be richest man in Australia.

Bradley Murdoch is sentenced to life for the 2001 murder of British tourist Peter Falconio

New anti-terrorism bill passed in response to London bombings in July. Generated heated debated among community.

Nguyen, convicted Australian heroin smuggler,executed in Singapore. The first since McAuliffe in Malaysia in 1993.

Makybe Diva breaks records by winning 3rd consecutive Melbourne Cups

Dr Barry Marshall & Dr Robbin Warner won the Nobel Prize for Medicine, proving that a bacteria not stress caused stomach ulcers & gastritis.

Suicide bombers once again targeted tourists in Bali, with another bomb attack.

Victorian Coroner hands down finding that Prime Minister Harold Holt's life was claimed by wild surf at Cheviot Beach in 1967

Premier Bob Carr announces his retirement after 10yrs of service

Labor returned in the Northern Territory, led by Chief Minister Clare Martin

Schapelle Corby sentenced to 20yr jail term in Bali for possession of over 4kg of marijuana.

The Bali Nine are arrested in Bali for allegedly smuggling 11kg of heroine into Sydney

The Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Commissions is officially abolished by Federal legislation

Cate Blanchett wins Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in The Aviator

WA Labor Government of Dr Geoff Gallop is returned with a solid majority

Plastic surgeon and burns specialist Dr Fiona Wood named Australian of the Year

Australian federal election: John Howard Government (Lib-Nat Coalition) defeats Mark Latham (Labor)

A bomb explodes outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia

Slim Dusty, Country Music Singer and Musician Dies aged 76

The Canberra bushfires entered the suburbs of Canberra & 4 people died, over 490 injured, and 470 homes destroyed or severely damaged.

The Black Christmas bushfires occurred when strong westerly winds fuelled more than 100 bushfires across the state, creating a plume of smoke that extended across Sydney.

Sydney hosts the Summer Olympics

First death following euthanasia legislation in Australia

35 people shot dead at Port Arthur, Tasmania

From 27 December 1993 to 16 January 1994, over 800 severe fires burned along the coastal areas of New South Wales. 4 people died, over 200 homes destroyed.

Australia's most devastating earthquake hit Newcastle, New South Wales at 10:27am.

The last train to use the Bunbury railway station departed.

Brisbane hosts the Commonwealth Games

Highest rainfall in Australia over 24hrs, recorded at Bellenden Ker, Queensland - 1140mm (45").

The Festival of Sydney begins.

Cyclone Tracy flattens Darwin (NT) leaving 49 dead & more than half the city's inhabitants evacuated.

The Chatsbury/Bungonia bushfires were a series of fires that burned in the Southern Highlands region of New South Wales, destroying the villages of Tallong, Wingello, and most of the surrounding orchards.

HSV 7 Melbourne began broadcasting on 4 November 1956.

First nuclear weapons test by British at Maralinga

Australia's first locally made car, the Holden 48-215, launched

Australian banks nationalized.

The Old Bunbury railway station, which served as the terminal for the Australind passenger train to Perth, transported its first passengers.

Commonwealth & State governments agree to celebrate Australia Day on January 26th

Florey, Fleming & Chain win Nobel Prize for developing penicillin

Australia plays an important role in the founding of the United Nations

The Liberal Party of Australia is formed

Japanese bomb Darwin but are halted on the Kokoda Trail

Seaham, NSW, was partially destroyed by bushfires.

The Myall Creek massacre was a pivotal moment in Australian history, setting a legal precedent and beginning the shift of attitudes towards the mass killing of Aboriginal people.

Formation of the Australian Broadcasting Commission - ABC

Height of the Great Depression, with 32% unemployment

Phar Lap wins the Melbourne Cup

QANTAS established

Influenza pandemic reaches Australia

End of First World War & Treaty of Versailles

Completion of line linking Western Australia with the Eastern States.

The First ANZAC Day commemorations

NSW Government gains power to remove Aboriginal children from their families

Australia's first Lifesaving Club established at Bondi Beach

Commonwealth Franchise Act gives women the vote in Federal elections.

White Australia Policy enshrined in law

Federation of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Federation of Australia, with Western Australia becoming one of the founding states

Bubonic Plague arrives in Australia

Cyclone Mahina was a devastating and historically deadly storm that claimed the lives of hundreds of divers and seamen from South-east Asia, the Torres Strait, and Pacific islands.

The Red Tuesday bushfires in South Gippsland, Victoria, claimed 12 lives, destroyed over 2,000 buildings, left 2,500 homeless & total area of 260,000 hectares of bushland and farmland destroyed.

Cyclone strikes pearling fleet at Eighty Mile Beach near Broome claiming 140 lives. The storm was unexpected, being so late in the season.

Sydney's General Post Office (GPO) is opened in Martin Place

Brisbane's Victoria Bridge is opened

The Victorian Government requires all children to be vaccinated against smallpox within 6 months of work

Adelaide Cricket Ground is opened

New Act to regulate conditions in sweat shops which exploit female & under-age workers

Total Lunar Eclipse

Free, compulsory & secular education introduced in Victoria

Brisbane Telegraph begins publication

Brisbane's first General Post Office (GPO) opens

The first telegrams are sent from Sydney to England