Timeline – national and state1846-1904 | 1905-1926 | 1927-1941 | 1942-1957 | 1958-1973 | 1974-1988 | 1989-2000Source |
| 1846 First recorded suggestion of the need for a federal authority. 1851 Victoria separates from NSW to form its own colonial government. 1859 Queensland separates from NSW to form its own colonial government. 1871 The Australian Natives Association, a popular movement of Australian-born white men, is established in Melbourne. The ANA and, later, the Australasian Federation League are founded to promote the vision of a united Australia. 1883 The Federal Council of Australasia is formed. This council of colonial governments, including New Zealand and Pacific countries, is shunned by NSW and South Australia.
1890 Australasian Federation Conference, Melbourne; delegates decide to call a constitutional convention to discuss and draft a constitution for a federal system. 1891 National Australasian Convention, Sydney; parliamentary delegates agree to adopt the name "Commonwealth of Australia" and a draft constitution is written aboard the steamboat, Lucinda. Progress towards Federation is stalled by the colonies' concerns about their own status within a Federation. Popular support for Federation leads to the formation of the Australasian Federation League.
1895 "Hobart understanding of the premiers" - most premiers approve a draft enabling bill based on Quick's plan. 1896 Enabling Acts are passed in SA, NSW, Tas. and Vic. These prepare the way for the popular election of delegates to a national convention to draft a constitution. 1897 Elections are held in the colonies to select delegates to the national Australasian (Constitutional) Convention. Delegates meet in 1897 in Adelaide and then in Sydney before they agree on a federal constitution to be put to the colonies in referendums. 1898 Delegates to the Australasian (Constitutional) Convention meet for a third session in Melbourne. Delegates agree to revise and amend the draft constitution. Referendums are held. Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria return Yes votes in favour of adopting the new federal constitution. NSW fails to attract the minimum number of Yes votes and the Bill is not carried. 1899 Premiers conference, Melbourne; premiers agree to amend the Federal Constitution Bill to meet the concerns of Qld and NSW. All colonies (except WA) support the Bill and agree to sponsor its enactment in the British Parliament. Yes votes carried in referendums in NSW, Vic, SA, Tas and Qld. 1900 Australian delegates in London negotiate the passage of the Federal Constitution Bill through the British Parliament and then witness Queen Victoria signing the documents and granting Royal Assent. The proclamation is made that the Commonwealth of Australia will come into being on January 1, 1901. Western Australia votes to join the Federation of Australian States and is added to the Royal Assent documents after the Queen has signed them.
Customs duties payable on products moving between states are eliminated. Australia's first federal parliament is opened in its temporary home in Melbourne by the Duke of York. Federal Government legislates to remove Kanakas from Queensland and ensure White Australia policy. 1902 The Franchise Act gives women throughout Australia the right to vote, but largely excludes indigenous Australians and people of Asian, African and Pacific Island backgrounds. 1903 The High Court of Australia is established. The Defence Act 1903 enables the Commonwealth to take full responsibility for the command and administration of the Australian Army. 1904 Cherbourg, near Murgon, set up as Aboriginal community. |
Timeline continued1846-1904 | 1905-1926 | 1927-1941 | 1942-1957 | 1958-1973 | 1974-1988 | 1989-2000More timelines |
1889 Sir Henry Parkes, NSW Premier, right, proclaims in his
famous Tenterfield Oration that the time for federation has arrived. 
1893 Corowa Conference, the first of the "people's
conventions", convened by the Australasian Federation League, endorses a plan by Dr
John Quick, left, plan for practical measures to break the legislative impasse by
electing a new convention. 
1901 Lord Hopetoun, right, the first Governor-General,
proclaims the Commonwealth of Australia at a ceremony in Centennial Park, Sydney. The
interim federal ministry is sworn in, with Sir Edmund Barton as prime minister. The
ceremony takes place before 250,000 people.