- Voting in elections in Australia is compulsory (you don’t have a choice) for everyone 18 years of age and over, with an initial fine of $72 issued for non-voters. Despite this, only around 81% of eligible Aussie voters cast their vote
- Australia was the second country in the world to grant women the right to vote; this occurred in 1894
- In 2005, the government issued a ban on saying the word ‘mate’ at Parliament House. The ban lasted 24 hours before it was overturned
- Swimming at public beaches in Australia during the day was made illegal for 64 years
- The legal drinking age in Australia is 18 years old
- Australia officially became a federation in 1901
- Australia’s first police force was made up of 12 convicts who were judged to be the best behaved