Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the First Australians, with a continuous connection to the land spanning over 65,000 years. The Australian Citizenship Test includes questions on their history, culture, and the significance of reconciliation. This post covers everything you need to know.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the First Australians, with a cultural history spanning more than 65,000 years — one of the longest continuous living cultures in the world. Understanding their history, culture, and the journey toward reconciliation is an important part of the Australian Citizenship Test and reflects Australia's shared identity as described in Our Common Bond.
According to the Department of Home Affairs, all Australians — regardless of background — are encouraged to learn about and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures as part of embracing Australian identity.
Who Are the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples?
Australia's First Peoples consist of two distinct groups:
- Aboriginal peoples — the original inhabitants of mainland Australia and many of its islands (including Tasmania)
- Torres Strait Islander peoples — the original inhabitants of the Torres Strait Islands, located between Queensland and Papua New Guinea
These groups are collectively referred to as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples or First Nations peoples. At the time of British settlement in 1788, there were estimated to be between 300,000 and 1 million Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living across the continent, speaking over 250 different languages.
65,000+ Years of Continuous Culture
Archaeological and genetic evidence confirms that Aboriginal Australians have lived on the continent for at least 65,000 years, making their culture one of the oldest on Earth. This deep connection to country is central to Aboriginal identity, spirituality, law, and social structure.
Key aspects of this ancient culture include:
- Connection to Country — Land is not just territory; it is spiritual, cultural, and social identity. Different groups are custodians of specific areas.
- The Dreaming (or Dreamtime) — The spiritual and cultural framework that explains the creation of the world, laws, and social obligations. Stories are passed down through oral tradition, art, song, and ceremony.
- Kinship systems — Complex social structures that define relationships, responsibilities, and marriage laws within communities.
- Languages — At European settlement there were over 250 distinct languages. Today, around 120 Aboriginal languages are still spoken.
European Settlement and Its Impact (1788 Onwards)
British settlement began on 26 January 1788 when the First Fleet arrived at Port Jackson (Sydney Harbour) under Captain Arthur Phillip. This date is now celebrated as Australia Day, though it is also a day of mourning for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians who refer to it as Invasion Day or Survival Day.
The impact of colonisation on First Nations peoples was devastating:
- Dispossession of land — Traditional lands were taken without consent or treaty
- Introduced diseases — Smallpox and other diseases killed tens of thousands of people who had no immunity
- Frontier violence — Massacres and violent conflict caused further population decline
- Forced removal of children — From the late 1800s through to the 1970s, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were forcibly removed from their families under government policies. These children became known as the Stolen Generations.
The Stolen Generations
The Stolen Generations refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were forcibly removed from their families by governments and churches between approximately the 1890s and 1970s. The purpose was to assimilate children into white Australian society and suppress their culture, language, and identity.
The lasting trauma of the Stolen Generations continues to affect communities today. In 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered a formal National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on behalf of the Australian government, acknowledging the profound grief, suffering, and loss caused by these policies.
Prepare for Every Citizenship Test Topic
Our practice tests include questions on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
Practice Now — It's FreeKey Milestones in Aboriginal Rights
The history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights in Australia includes several landmark moments:
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1901 | Australian Constitution excluded Aboriginal people from the national census and from federal laws |
| 1962 | Aboriginal Australians given the right to vote in federal elections |
| 1967 | 1967 Referendum — 90.77% of Australians voted to count Aboriginal people in the national census and allow the federal government to make laws for them. This was a landmark moment in Australian history. |
| 1992 | Mabo decision — The High Court recognised native title, acknowledging that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had rights to their traditional lands prior to British settlement. This overturned the legal fiction of terra nullius (empty land). |
| 1993 | Native Title Act passed, formalising the Mabo decision in legislation |
| 2008 | Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivers the National Apology to the Stolen Generations |
Reconciliation
Reconciliation is the process of building respectful relationships and understanding between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians. It involves acknowledging past wrongs, learning about First Nations cultures, and working together toward a shared and equitable future.
Our Common Bond states that Australians respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians of the land. New citizens are encouraged to learn about First Nations history and culture as part of building a unified Australian community.
Acknowledgement of Country
An Acknowledgement of Country is a formal statement made at the beginning of public events and meetings, recognising the traditional custodians of the land. You will hear these at citizenship ceremonies, school events, and public gatherings across Australia.
Welcome to Country
A Welcome to Country is a ceremony performed by a Traditional Custodian or Elder to welcome visitors to their Country. It is distinct from an Acknowledgement of Country and can only be given by a person from that land.
NAIDOC Week and National Sorry Day
- NAIDOC Week — held each July, celebrating the history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC stands for National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee.
- National Sorry Day — held on 26 May each year, commemorating the Stolen Generations and the experiences of those affected by forced removal policies.
- National Reconciliation Week — held from 27 May to 3 June each year, bookended by two significant dates: the 1967 Referendum (27 May) and the 1992 Mabo decision (3 June).
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture Today
First Nations cultures are living, dynamic, and celebrated across Australia. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples make significant contributions to Australian art, music, sport, science, and public life. Prominent figures include:
- David Unaipon — inventor and writer, whose face appears on the Australian $50 note
- Eddie Mabo — land rights activist whose case led to the landmark 1992 Mabo decision
- Cathy Freeman — Olympic gold medallist who lit the torch at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
For more on this topic and other areas covered in the test, visit our Study Guide or take a practice test.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long have Aboriginal peoples lived in Australia?
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have lived in Australia for at least 65,000 years, making their culture one of the oldest continuously practised in the world.
What was the 1967 Referendum about?
The 1967 Referendum asked Australians to vote on two changes to the Constitution: including Aboriginal people in the national census, and giving the federal government the power to make laws for Aboriginal people. It passed with 90.77% of votes in favour — one of the highest "Yes" votes in Australian referendum history.
What are the Stolen Generations?
The Stolen Generations refers to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children forcibly removed from their families by government and church authorities from approximately the 1890s to the 1970s, as part of assimilation policies. Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered a formal apology in 2008.
What is native title in Australia?
Native title is the legal recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have rights to land based on their traditional laws and customs. It was established by the 1992 Mabo decision in the High Court and codified in the Native Title Act 1993.
What does reconciliation mean in Australia?
Reconciliation in Australia refers to the ongoing process of building respectful, equitable relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians, based on understanding, acknowledgement of history, and shared commitment to a better future.