1811 – John Oxley is appointed Surveyor-General of New South Wales.
1977 – The Federal Court of Australia opens.
1981 – Cricketer Trevor Chappell bowls an underarm ball against New Zealand causing outrage with officials and fans.
1984 – Medicare comes into effect.
2004 – The first Ghan passenger train across Australia from Adelaide to Darwin sets off on its three-day journey.