Indigenous Australian History

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the first inhabitants of Australia, with a history spanning more than 65,000 years — making them the oldest continuous cultures on Earth. The citizenship test includes questions about Indigenous Australians because their history and culture are fundamental to Australia's national identity.

Aboriginal Australians have a deep spiritual connection to the land, expressed through the Dreaming (also called Dreamtime). The Dreaming encompasses creation stories, cultural knowledge, and laws that have been passed down through generations for tens of thousands of years. Torres Strait Islander peoples, who come from the islands between Australia and Papua New Guinea, have their own distinct culture, traditions, and languages.

European settlement from 1788 had a devastating impact on Indigenous peoples, including displacement from their lands, the destruction of cultural practices, and the forced removal of children from their families (known as the Stolen Generations). Modern Australia has taken steps toward reconciliation, including the 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations. The test expects you to understand both the richness of Indigenous culture and the challenges Indigenous Australians have faced.