Federation research guide | National Library of Australia (NLA)

Federation research guide

On 1 January 1901, the six existing self-governing British colonies of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia, came together in union to create the Commonwealth of Australia. This was what was known as Federation and was the culmination of a decades-long push by various individuals and associations.

The Library holds a wide selection of material relating to this process.

This guide aims to introduce researchers to key collections and items held by the Library, as well as advise of where related material may be found.

A printed invitation to meet Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in celebration of the opening of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia

Julian Ashton & Howard Ashton & Otto Von Drehnen, (1901), [An invitation to meet Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in celebration of the opening of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135825982

Julian Ashton & Howard Ashton & Otto Von Drehnen, (1901), [An invitation to meet Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York in celebration of the opening of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia], nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135825982

What you can find in the Library

  • Printed material: biographies, histories and general works, government publications, e.g. parliamentary papers of the UK, the colonies and Australia
  • Manuscripts: papers of ministers and individuals involved in the Federation movement
  • Pictures: portraits, photographs, political cartoons
  • Ephemera: Federation advertising, electoral material, invitations, handouts and flyers
  • Music
  • Newspapers: in print and online
  • Online resources

Catalogue search tips

Use the Catalogue standard search to find titles, authors or subjects.

  • If you get too many results, use the options under 'Limit your search' on the right of the results page to display only the items you're interested in.
  • To see what you can view from home, use the link to 'NLA digital material' on the right of the results page.
  • If you need to widen your search, click on the subject headings in an item's Catalogue record to find other material related to that subject.

Although you can't browse the Library's shelves in person, you can use the Catalogue to browse by title, author, subject or Call number, using the drop-down list under "All Fields".

Some examples of relevant subject headings are:

  • Australia--Centennial celebrations, etc
  • Australia--Constitutional history--Sources
  • Australia--History--1891-1901
  • Australia--Politics and government--1891-1901
  • Australian Natives Association
  • Constitutional conventions--Australia
  • Federal government--Australia
  • Federation--Australia

In addition to browsing you can use different search terms alone or combined to identify a wide variety or location-specific items. The following are some examples that can be used:

  • constitutional conventions
  • Federal Council of Australasia
  • federation Australia
  • federation colonies
  • Edmund Barton
Federation programmes

[Celebrations - Federation 1901 : programs and invitations ephemera material collected by the National Library of Australia] nla.gov.au/nla.obj-54697230

[Celebrations - Federation 1901 : programs and invitations ephemera material collected by the National Library of Australia] nla.gov.au/nla.obj-54697230

federation centenary companion

Irving, Helen Dorothy, The Centenary companion to Australian federation, 1999, nla.cat-vn1562710

Our related guides

Our collections

If you are a registered reader you can request items to read and photocopy in our reading rooms.

Registered readers can also search selected subscription databases via our eResources.

If you can't visit the Library, you can use Copies Direct to request copies and have them sent to you via mail or email. Please note there may be copyright restrictions when using this service.

You can also search Trove to find a library closer to you which has the item in their collection.

If there is no library near you with the item, you may be able to arrange an interlibrary loan through your local public or institutional library. Please ask staff at your local library for assistance with this.

Interesting fact

Initially it was considered that New Zealand should join the federated Australian colonies.

front cover of a document titled 'Federation! should New Zealand federatae with the Australian colonies? to which the answer is an emphatic yes!

J. Kennedy Brown, (1897), Federation! : should New Zealand federate with the Australian colonies? : to which the answer is an emphatic yes!, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52767351

J. Kennedy Brown, (1897), Federation! : should New Zealand federate with the Australian colonies? : to which the answer is an emphatic yes!, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52767351

Related website

For peace, order and good government is an online exhibition from the Parliament of Australia relating to the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia.

A badge worn by supporters of the Australian Commonwealth. Similar in nature, if not the same, as that discussed in the newspaper article 'A Federal badge' in 1898.

Federation Badge

[Badge inscribed: Australia's Commonwealth, 1899] nla.gov.au/nla.obj-135774500

In this guide

Federation proceedings and debates

Australasian Federation Conference, Official record of the proceedings and debates of the Australasian Federation Conference, 1890, held in the Parliament House, Melbourne, 1890, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-226134849

Federation: Printed collections

The Australian and overseas printed collections at the National Library of Australia contain substantial material which can support research into Federation in Australia.

Research guide
newspaper clipping titled 'Birth of a New Nation. Australian Unity Achieved.'

Australian Commonwealth (1901, January 2). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 5, nla.gov.au/nla.news-article196062003

Federation: Newspapers

Newspapers provide an invaluable resource for researching  Australian Federation, reflecting the opinions of the colonial societies.

Research guide
federation australian map

New South Wales. Government Printing Office. (1897). Australian colonies and New Zealand, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-231319653

Federation: Maps

Our collection of maps and atlases contains some interesting items which can help provide context and background to Federation.

Research guide
Federation Music Parade

Wendy McDougall, Federation Parade walks proud along Sanger St. Corowa, 28th January 2001, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-146228696

Federation: Music

Federation provided the opportunity for composers to express their pride in the new nation of Australia. The National Library of Australia holds a rich collection of music from this era.

Research guide
black and white photo of 1899 Australian Referendum results

Australian Federation Referendum Results 1899, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136434299

Federation: Online resources

There are a number of online Australian databases, both current and archival, subscribed to by the Library that provide access to information on Federation and related issues.

Research guide
Badge of the Australia Federation League of New South Wales

Badge of the Australia Federation League of New South Wales, ca. 1900, between 1898 and 1901, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-143365932

Federation: Manuscripts

The National Library of Australia has been actively collecting Federation material since 1903. As a result it holds many unique manuscript collections relating to Federation, including the letters, diaries and scrapbooks of politicians and organisations.

Research guide
Painting of the opening of Federal Parliament in 1901

Tom Roberts, Sketch for opening of Federal Parliament, 1901, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-134312660

Federation: Pictorial material

The National Library collects pictorial material in order to document significant people, places and events in Australian history and society.

Research guide
An invitation from the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall, 1901

Royal Visits - 1901 - Duke & Duchess of Cornwall and York : programs and invitations ephemera material collected by the National Library of Australia, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-54753475

Federation: Ephemera

Ephemera is material which is designed to be short lived and which is often not kept by its recipient.

Research guide
old map of Canberra

Walter Burley Griffin, Canberra Federal Capital of Australia preliminary plan, 1914, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-230041959

Federation: Focus on Canberra

In 1908 the Commonwealth Parliament passed the Seat of Government Act 1908, designating the Yass-Queanbeyan area for Australia's Capital Territory.

Research guide
Page published: 16 Jan 2024

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