- 1841 – The convict assignment system was abolished in New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land and was replaced by the probation gang system.
- 1851 – Victoria becomes a separate colony.
- 1932 – The Australian Broadcasting Commission is inaugurated by Prime Minister Joseph Lyons.
- 1949 – John Farnham, Australian singer is born.
- 1970 – Melbourne Airport is opened at Tullamarine, Victoria.
- 1975 – Medibank is introduced, Australia Post and Telecom are formed from the Postmaster-General's Department.
- 1978 – The Northern Territory becomes self-governing.
- 1983 – High Court blocks construction of the Franklin Dam in Tasmania in the Tasmanian Dams Case.
- 1986 – Fringe Benefits Tax is introduced.
- 1996 – The Northern Territory legalises voluntary euthanasia. It would be repealed by a conscience vote in the federal Parliament in 1997.
- 1997 – Deregulation of the Telecommunications market, allowing the entry of competitors other than Telstra and Optus.
- 2000 – A 10% Goods and Services Tax is introduced for most goods and services.