Culture of Australia

The shared customs, arts, values, institutions, and ways of life shaped by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, colonial history, immigration, and regional diversity.

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Aboriginal Australians: The Indigenous peoples of mainland Australia and Tasmania, comprising many distinct nations, languages, and communities. Their cultures and continuing presence are foundational to Australia’s identity and public life.
Australian national identity: The changing sense of shared belonging associated with Australia and its people. It is where civic ideals, local identity, and disagreements about national belonging meet.
Australian literature: Literary works produced in Australia or shaped by Australian settings, histories, and experiences. Writers have portrayed colonial conflict, migration, landscape, and changing national identity.
Mabo v Queensland (No 2): The 1992 High Court of Australia decision that rejected terra nullius and recognized native title. The judgment transformed public understanding of Indigenous land rights and colonial history.
Torres Strait Islanders: The Indigenous peoples of the Torres Strait islands, with distinct histories, languages, and cultural traditions. Their heritage adds a distinct Indigenous dimension to Australian culture and identity.
Welcome to Country: A protocol in which Traditional Custodians welcome visitors to their Country. Its growing public presence recognizes Indigenous custodianship in civic and cultural settings.
Australian cinema: Films made in Australia or by Australian filmmakers, spanning local stories and international productions. Film turns national landscapes, social change, and historical experience into shared images.
Uluru Statement from the Heart: A 2017 statement by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander delegates calling for Voice, Treaty, and Truth. It frames Indigenous aspirations as a continuing question in national political culture.
Australian English: The varieties of English spoken in Australia, shaped by local history, vocabulary, pronunciation, and usage. Its expressions and accents make everyday Australian communication locally distinctive.
Acknowledgement of Country: A statement recognizing Traditional Custodians of the land, delivered by people who are not its custodians. It expresses recognition of Indigenous connection to place in public life.