Australia Day 2024 Teaching Resources
Explore teaching resources themed for Australia Day 2024 to help students learn what it means to be Australian. Explain the history of immigration, and explore the historical events and their impact on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and more.
Resources in this teacher-created collection include beginning-of-the-year activities, classroom displays and theme packs, cultural icons, informational posters and games to put this public holiday in cultural context. Use these resources to introduce and teach students the complex and multifaceted history of Australia Day.
Is this your first year teaching about Australia Day? Read on for tips from our teacher team to help you prepare.
What Is Australia Day? A Kid-Friendly Definition
If you will be talking to your class about Australia Day, it helps to have a way to explain what it is.
Australia Day is a public holiday that commemorates the day the first European settlement was established in Australia in 1788. For some people, Australia day is a day of national pride and is celebrated with barbecues and fireworks. It is a day when many local governments will hold citizenship ceremonies to welcome new immigrants to Australia.
Australia Day has a different meaning for other people in Australia, including many First Nations people. Because the holiday commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet, it also marks the date when their land was colonised and taken from them. Some First Nations people refer to Australia Day as Invasion Day or Survival Day.
When Is Australia Day 2024?
You're only just back to school when this public holiday occurs, so it can easily creep up on you. Mark your calendars — Australia Day is the 26th of January every year. In 2024, Australia Day will be a Friday.
This date marks the arrival of the British First Fleet in Sydney Cove on 26 January 1788.
Why Is it Important to Teach First Nations Perspectives on Australia Day?
- Promote cultural understanding and acceptance: Teaching First Nations and multicultural perspectives on Australia Day helps students understand and appreciate the diversity of the Australian population and the unique cultures and perspectives of Indigenous Australians and other cultural groups.
- Encourages empathy and respect: By learning about the experiences and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other cultural groups, students can develop empathy and respect for others, which are essential qualities for building a harmonious society.
- Helps to acknowledge and address historical injustices: Teaching First Nations and multicultural perspectives on Australia Day can help students understand and acknowledge the historical injustices experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the ongoing impact of these injustices. This can help to create a sense of shared responsibility for addressing these issues and working towards a more just and equitable society.
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Australian Themed Desk Name Tags
A set of Australian themed desk name tags.
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Significant Australian Flags
A set of 4 significant Australian flags with explanations.
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Classmate Interview
A fun getting to know you activity.
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What Makes Australia Unique Posters
A set of 6 educational posters highlighting some of the things that make Australia unique
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The Torres Strait Islander Flag - Poster and Worksheet
A poster and worksheet of the Torres Strait Islander flag.
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Australia Day Cloze Worksheet
A cloze activity based on information about Australia Day.
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Flags of Australia – Art Activity
A creative art activity to use when commemorating important events such as Australia Day, Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
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The Australian Aboriginal Flag Poster and Worksheet
Print this Australian Aboriginal Flag poster and worksheet for your classroom.
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Australian Symbols Activity Worksheet
Teach about Australian symbols with this worksheets for primary students.
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The Australian Flag Poster and Worksheet
A poster and worksheet of the Australian Flag.
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Australia Day Fact Sheet
A fact sheet covering important facts and traditions of Australia Day.
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Australia Day Mobile - Upper Years
An Australia Day-themed mobile activity that encourages thinking about First Nations perspectives.
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Australia Day Mobile - Lower Years
A cute gum leaf Australia Day-themed mobile activity that encourages thinking about First Nations perspectives.
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Auslan Australian Animals Dice Activity
A set of flashcards and a dice to use when learning to sign Australian animals in Auslan.
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Australia Day Information Fact Sheet
A fact sheet with information on Australia Day.
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Getting to Know My Fellow Australians - Venn Diagram
An activity for students to compare their holiday experiences with a peer.
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Class Flag Activity Worksheet
An activity for students to create a class flag.
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Australian Holidays Worksheet
A worksheet for students to record personal Australia Day experiences.
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Australian History Timeline
A worksheet for students to record information about four significant Australian events.
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What Australia Day Means to Me Worksheet
A worksheet to use in the classroom when learning about Australia Day.
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Australian Immigration Timeline
A 3 page timeline to display in the classroom when learning about Australian immigration.
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Australian National Anthem Verses 1 and 2
Learn the words to the Australian National Anthem with these posters, including the elusive second verse.
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The Aussie I Admire the Most Is... Worksheet
A worksheet for students to record information about an Australian they admire.
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Australia - Border Trimmers
Brighten up your cork boards with these Australian Cork Board Borders.