Australia Day: a single date, yet a subject of endless debate. When I first landed in this sunburnt country nearly ten years ago, I confess I knew little beyond kangaroos, koalas, Crocodile Dundee, Bondi Beach, and Home and Away. The history? The public holiday? The debate about January 26? I was clueless.
It’s been an education, to say the least.
But to be fair, Ireland is on the other side of the planet, and I wouldn’t expect Australians to be schooled on St. Brigid’s Day (or Imbolg, happening next week as well) or our own fraught colonial past.
Still, as I’ve come to learn, Australia Day carries a weight that goes far beyond flags and barbecues. It’s a date with a backstory. Let’s get into it.
What is Australia Day?
Australia Day is the official national holiday of Australia. It is observed every year on January 26 officially since 1994.

What is the issue with the date?
To understand why January 26 is divisive, we need to go back to 1788.
Eleven British ships, the First Fleet, battered by sea winds and searching for suitable land for a new colony that would replace the thirteen the British had recently lost in North America, anchored at Sydney Cove. Governor Arthur Phillip hoisted the Union Jack, toasted the king’s health, and celebrated what was then the start of British colonisation (he even wrote about it in his journals). However, it was also the beginning of a painful chapter for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
For Indigenous Australians, this date doesn’t represent the birth of a nation. It marks the start of dispossession, violence, and a fight for survival.
Yet for many others, January 26 is a day to celebrate Australia’s achievements, multiculturalism, and laid-back spirit. Beaches are packed, sausages sizzle on barbecues, and fireworks light up the night sky. It’s a public holiday in the middle of summer — what’s not to love?
But beneath the festivities lies an undeniable question: is this the best day to celebrate Australia?

When was the first official Australia Day celebrated?
The date wasn’t always the national holiday. In fact, it took over 200 years to settle on it. Here’s a quick timeline:
1800s
- From 1808, in New South Wales, 26 January was celebrated as “First Landing Day” or “Foundation Day”. Other colonies, however, marked their own founding dates.
- On the 100th anniversary, 1888, all colonies (except South Australia) acknowledged the date, with various names none of which were “Australia Day. However, Aboriginal people were pointedly excluded from any ceremonies. The NSW premier of the time responded to a question about the exclusion with this reply: “And remind them that we have robbed them?”
1900s
- During World War I, the idea of a national holiday was first noted and a committee to celebrate an official “Australia Day” was put together in 1915. The date they chose was July 30 and celebrations were made on that date in subsequent years during the war.
- By 1935 all states adopted 26 January as a holiday. However, it was called Anniversary Day in NSW and colloquially, most people often referred to it as Foundation Day.
- To mark the 150th anniversary of the colonisation, on 26 January 1938, the Australian Aborigines League (AAL) and the Aborigines Progressive Association (APA) held the first Day of Mourning to mark the “Whiteman’s seizure of our country” and campaign for equal rights.
- Australian citizenship became a thing on 26 January 1949 with the passing of the National and Citizenship Act 1948 — previously, Australians were simply British subjects. From that date, it became common to hold citizenship ceremonies on the day.
1980s
- The Bicentenary of the First Fleet’s arrival happened in 1988. To celebrate there were numerous events held all over the country. Including historical reenactments of the First Fleet’s arrival in Sydney Harbour in which ships from Portsmouth, England (where the First Fleet sailed from) took part.
- During the bicentennial celebrations, a large gathering of Aboriginal people led an “Invasion Day” commemoration in Sydney. Similar events have been happening on the same day ever since.
1990s
- In 1992, the first “Survival Day” concert was held in Sydney to celebrate Indigenous people and culture remaining despite colonisation.
- In 1994, Prime Minister Paul Keating declared 26 January the unified national public holiday: Australia Day.
The date’s evolution mirrors Australia’s complex identity: a nation grappling with its colonial past while celebrating its modern multicultural character.

Should we change the date?
Plenty of voices say yes. Indigenous leaders, local councils, and public figures have argued that celebrating on January 26 ignores the pain and trauma it symbolises for First Nations people. Suggestions for alternate dates include:
- 1 January: Marking the Federation of Australia in 1901 — but it’s already a public holiday.
- 3 March: Celebrating the passing of the Australia Act in 1986, which ended British legislative power over Australia and started its legal independence.
- 8 May: Because it sounds like “Mate” — and what’s more Aussie than that?
- 27 May: Commemorating the 1967 referendum that recognised Indigenous Australians in the census.
- 30 July: The date chosen for a national holiday during WWI
Still, polls suggest a majority of Australians want the date to stay put. In 2023, a poll revealed that 64 per cent of respondents believed the 26 January should be “Australia Day. A 2025 survey found that 69 per cent of respondents preferred to keep January 26 as Australia Day results which were “virtually unchanged” from the year prior.
Current prime minister Anthony Albanese confirmed on 26 January 2024 that the date wouldn’t be changed any time soon.

What do Australians do on Australia Day?
It depends on who you ask. Some Australians don Australian flag-themed boardshorts and head to the beach. Others fire up the barbecue, cracking open beers in the blistering summer heat. For some, it’s a chance to attend citizenship ceremonies and celebrate new Australians. In the spirit of celebrating Australians who make an impactful impression on Australian history are also acknowledged with the Australian of the Year Awards (the ceremony this year is happening on 25 January). And for many Indigenous Australians and their allies, it’s a day of protest, reflection, and cultural celebration at Survival Day events.
Many events now include Welcome to Country ceremonies, Indigenous performances, and moments of silence to honour the past. The National Australia Day Council actively encourages that. It’s a small but significant step toward inclusivity.
Where to go from here?
The Australia Day debate is far from over. While the date remains unchanged, the conversations around it are growing louder. Perhaps that’s a good thing. As an outsider, I’ve been struck by how deeply Australians care about their history — the good, the bad, and the complicated.
So whether you’re throwing snags on the barbie, attending a protest, or simply taking the day off, it’s worth asking: what does January 26 mean to you?
Because at the end of the day, a national holiday is only as meaningful as the conversations it inspires.