Australian History Worksheet for Students (Years 5–10 | Ages 10–16) — Indigenous History, Colonisation & Federation

Instructions

Read each section carefully and answer the questions to the best of your ability. This worksheet covers key events and figures in Australian history.

Section 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the following sentences with the correct word or phrase.

1. The original inhabitants of Australia, who have lived on the continent for over 65,000 years, are known as ___________________ Australians.


2. In 1770, Captain ___________________ mapped the eastern coast of Australia and claimed it for Britain.


3. The group of eleven ships that sailed from Great Britain to establish the first European colony in New South Wales is known as the ___________________.


4. The discovery of ___________ in the 1850s in Victoria and New South Wales led to a series of rushes that massively increased Australia's population.


5. On 1 January 1901, the Australian colonies united to form the Commonwealth of Australia in an event called ___________________.

Section 2: Multiple Choice

Circle the letter of the best answer for each question.

1. Who was the first Governor of the colony of New South Wales?
   • a) James Stirling
   • b) Arthur Phillip
   • c) Lachlan Macquarie


2. The acronym ANZAC, famously associated with the Gallipoli Campaign in World War I, stands for:
   • a) Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
   • b) Army of the Nations of Zealand and Australian Command
   • c) Australian National Zealand Allied Company


3. The Eureka Stockade in 1854 was a rebellion by:
   • a) Convicts against the guards
   • b) Indigenous Australians against settlers
   • c) Gold miners against colonial authority


4. The 1967 Referendum was a landmark event that allowed:
   • a) Australia to get its own flag
   • b) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be counted in the national census
   • c) The national capital to be moved to Canberra

Section 3: Matching

Match the term in Column A with its correct description from Column B. Write the letter of the correct description in the space provided.

Column A

1. Ned Kelly _____
2. Federation Pavilion _____
3. The Dreamtime _____
4. Botany Bay _____

Column B

• A. The complex spiritual beliefs of Indigenous Australians that explain the creation of the world.
• B. The Sydney location where the Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed in 1901.
• C. The original landing site for Captain Cook, and later the destination for the First Fleet.
• D. Australia’s most famous bushranger, known for his suit of armour.

Section 4: Short Answer

Write a brief answer to the following questions in the space provided.

1. What was the primary reason Great Britain established a penal colony in Australia in 1788?
   
   _________________________________________________________________________
   
   _________________________________________________________________________


2. Briefly describe the significance of the Gold Rush for the development of the Australian colonies.
   
   _________________________________________________________________________
   
   _________________________________________________________________________

Answer Key

Section 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. Indigenous / Aboriginal
2. James Cook
3. First Fleet
4. Gold
5. Federation

Section 2: Multiple Choice

1. b) Arthur Phillip
2. a) Australian and New Zealand Army Corps
3. c) Gold miners against colonial authority
4. b) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be counted in the national census

Section 3: Matching

1. Ned Kelly: D
2. Federation Pavilion: B
3. The Dreamtime: A
4. Botany Bay: C

Section 4: Short Answer

1. What was the primary reason Great Britain established a penal colony in Australia in 1788?
   Great Britain established a penal colony to relieve its overcrowded prisons, especially after losing its American colonies following the American War of Independence, which had previously been a destination for convicts.
2. Briefly describe the significance of the Gold Rush for the development of the Australian colonies.
   The Gold Rush led to a massive increase in population as people immigrated from all over the world. This brought great wealth, spurred economic development, and encouraged the growth of towns and cities. It also led to social changes and the development of a unique Australian identity.