Australian History Teaching Resources
Bring Australian history to life in your primary classroom with history activities and reading passages, teaching presentations on important points in Commonwealth history and more. Aligned with the Australian HASS curriculum — including V9 — this collection has been created by the Teach Starter teacher team for teachers like you.
Inside you'll find historical timelines from the era of the First Fleet through modern times, resources for teaching students of all backgrounds about Aboriginal history and the stewards of the land, and activities designed to help children explore the aspects of society that have changed over time and shaped the Australia we live in today.
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Gold – Defining It
A 60-minute lesson in which students will learn what gold is and how it helped shape the currency we use today.
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Aboriginal X-Ray Art
A 60 minute lesson in which students will understand the history and traditional techniques of Aboriginal x-ray art.
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Chinese Exploration
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate the exploration of the Chinese during the fifteenth century.
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An Introduction to Aboriginal Art
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify the different types of Aboriginal art in Australia.
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Who Came Here?
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify the different migrant groups in Australia throughout the 20th century.
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The Impact of Federation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate the impact of Australian Federation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
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Gold Fever - Kick Starting the Australian Gold Rush
A 60-minute lesson in which students learn about the discovery of gold and initial phases of the Australian Gold Rush.
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Australian History - Revisiting the Past
A 60-minute lesson in which students recap their prior knowledge of Australian history and the British colonisation of Australia.
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Australian Commemorations and Celebrations
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore some significant Australian commemorations and celebrations.
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An Expanding Colony
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify the struggles of the early colony and the reasons for expansion.
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Life in Britain During the 1700s
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate life in Britain during the late 1700s.
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Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch Explorers
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify how the Spanish, Portuguese and Dutch explorers contributed to the European 'discovery' of Australia.
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Aboriginal Rock Art
A 60 minute lesson in which students will understand the history and traditional techniques of Aboriginal rock art.
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Terra Australis Incognita
A 60 minute lesson in which students will understand why the fifteenth century was known as the Age of Exploration.
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Tools
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples used the land to make tools.
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Shelters
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples used the land for shelter.
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The Original Inhabitants
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the original inhabitants of Australia.
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Factors Influencing Human Migration
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify different types of migration and the factors that influence migration.
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Calling Australia Home Unit Plan
This Australian History unit covers a range of concepts relating to democracy, citizenship and immigration experiences of 20th century Australia.
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Applying Aboriginal Art Techniques - Assessment Task
An assessment task in which students will demonstrate their understanding of Aboriginal art techniques.
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Art
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify how Aboriginalcultures use art as a language to document their history.
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Indigenous Language Groups
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify the diverse range of Indigenous language groups in Australia.
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Celebrating Diversity
A 60 minute lesson in which students will investigate the cultural practices of Australian communities.
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Assessment - Australia Becomes a Nation
An assessment task in which students will demonstrate an understanding of Australia's colonisation and Federation.
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Famous Federators
A 60 minute lesson in which students will identify influential people who contributed to Australian Federation.
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Aboriginal Dot Painting
A 60 minute lesson in which students will understand the history and traditional techniques of Aboriginal dot painting.
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Aboriginal Cross-Hatching
A 60 minute lesson in which students will understand the history and traditional techniques of Aboriginal cross-hatching.
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The Arrival into Botany Bay
A 60 minute lesson in which students will understand the events that took place when the First Fleet arrived in Australia.
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The First Fleet
A 60 minute lesson in which students will explore the journey of the First Fleet to Australia.
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Aboriginal Wandjina Artworks
A 60 minute lesson in which students will understand the history and traditional techniques of Aboriginal Wandjina artworks.
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Aboriginal Body Painting
A 60 minute lesson in which students will understand the history and traditional techniques of Aboriginal body painting.
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The Myth of Terra Nullius
A 60 minute lesson in which students will examine the myth that Australia was a Terra Nullius land before contact with the British.