- 1901 – Following Federation, naval and military forces of the States are transferred to Commonwealth control.
- 1919 – The Potts cartoon strip is first published.
- 1942 – The heavy cruiser HMAS Perth is sunk by the Japanese during the Battle of Sunda Strait. 357 are killed, and 109 die later in prison camps.
- 1975 – Television is broadcast in colour for the first time in Australia.
- 1989 – The Australian Industrial Relations Commission replaces Australian Conciliation and Arbitration Commission.