Curriculum links – Australian History Curriculum

Year 6 Humanities and social sciences (HASS) curriculum

Key figures, events and ideas that led to Australia’s Federation and Constitution (ACHASSK134)

• Magna Carta

  This fact sheet examines the Magna Carta—the 'Great Charter'. The Magna Carta was important in the development of democracy and has influenced many other documents including the Australian Constitution. Learn about the 1215 edition, the 1297 Inspeximus edition, and the legacy of the Magna Carta.

• Australian Constitution

  The Australian Constitution is the set of rules by which Australia is run. It came into effect on 1 January 1901. This fact sheet summarises the key features of the Constitution and how it can be changed.

• Federation

  Federation is the process by which 6 partly self-governing British colonies decided to form a new nation. Australia was created by peaceful means as an Act of the British Parliament—the result of much consideration and debate.

• Australia's federation

  In 1901 the 6 British colonies united to become a new nation—the Commonwealth of Australia. This fact sheet examines the path to federation, the creation of the territories, the opening of the Australian Parliament and Australia's federal system of government.

• Australian Parliament

  This fact sheet explores the structure and key functions of the Australian Parliament. It covers Parliament’s roles of law-making, representing Australians, the formation of government, and checking the work of the government.

• The Constitution

  This short video introduces the Australian Constitution—the rules by which Australia is run.

• A short history of Parliament

  Compared to some other parliaments around the world, Australia's Parliament is quite young but it is based on practices and ideals from much older parliaments. This in-depth paper explores the development of the Westminster system in Britain and parliamentary democracy in Australia.

• The federation of Australia

  Australia's federation came about through a process of deliberation, consultation and debate. This in-depth paper explores the reasons for federation, the federation conventions and the referendums in which the Australian people decided to join together as a nation.

• What is Parliament?

  Discover the structure and key functions of the Australian Parliament with this short video. It introduces the Parliament’s roles of law-making, representing Australians, the formation of government, and checking the work of the government.

• The Australian Constitution in focus

  The Australian Constitution is the legal framework for how Australia is governed. This paper explores in detail the history of the Constitution, its key features and the High Court’s role in interpreting it.

• Separation of powers: Parliament, Executive and Judiciary

  The principle of the separation of powers distributes the power to govern between the Parliament, the Executive and the Judiciary. This fact sheet examines the role of each group and the related principle of responsible government.

• Making a law in the Australian Parliament

  This fact sheet explains the law-making process in the Australian Parliament. It also describes where ideas for laws come from and the history of law-making in the Parliament.

Experiences of Australian democracy and citizenship, including the status and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, migrants, women and children (ACHASSK135)

• Federal Parliament history timeline

  Explore the history of Australia’s Parliament with this easy-to-use timeline. Investigate the milestones to find out how the work of the Parliament has influenced the development of Australia since federation.

Year 9 Australia and Asia depth study: Making a Nation

Key people, events and ideas in the development of Australian self-government and democracy, including, the role of founders, key features of constitutional development, the importance of British and Western influences in the formation of Australia’s syst (ACDSEH091)

• The federation of Australia

  Australia's federation came about through a process of deliberation, consultation and debate. This in-depth paper explores the reasons for federation, the federation conventions and the referendums in which the Australian people decided to join together as a nation.

• The Australian Constitution in focus

  The Australian Constitution is the legal framework for how Australia is governed. This paper explores in detail the history of the Constitution, its key features and the High Court’s role in interpreting it.

• Federal Parliament history timeline

  Explore the history of Australia’s Parliament with this easy-to-use timeline. Investigate the milestones to find out how the work of the Parliament has influenced the development of Australia since federation.

Laws made by federal Parliament between 1901-1914 including the Harvester Judgement, pensions, and the Immigration Restriction Act (ACDSEH092)

• Federal Parliament history timeline

  Explore the history of Australia’s Parliament with this easy-to-use timeline. Investigate the milestones to find out how the work of the Parliament has influenced the development of Australia since federation.

Year 9 World War I depth study

The impact of World War I, with a particular emphasis on Australia including the changing role of women (ACDSEH096)

• To our last shilling: the Australian Parliament and World War I

  Discover Australia’s experience of World War I from the perspective of the Australian Parliament. From fixing the price of food to interning ‘enemy aliens’, the decisions made by the Parliament during the War affected the lives of everyday Australians. 

Other useful PEO resources

• Australian Constitution

  The Australian Constitution is the set of rules by which Australia is run. It came into effect on 1 January 1901. This fact sheet summarises the key features of the Constitution and how it can be changed.

• Year 6
• Year 9