The 1967 Referendum

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this research guide contains names and images of deceased people. All users of this research guide should also be aware that certain words, terms, or descriptions may be culturally sensitive and are considered inappropriate today, but may have reflected the attitudes of the author or that of the period in which they were written

A Proposed Law Referendum, 27 May 1967: ephemera relating to the campaign on the questions of Parliament and Aboriginals collected by the National Library of Australia.

The results of the 1967 Referendum are significant for three reasons:

• It allowed the Commonwealth of Australia to make laws with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (amendment to Section 51) 
• People identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander could be legally recorded in the results of the Australian Census for the first time (amendment to Section 127) and;
• The question relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people recorded the highest YES vote of of any proposed alteration to the Constitution, 90.77 percent.

This research guide highlights some of the significant collections held by the National Library of Australia which relate to this event.  

How to use this guide:

This guide aims to introduce researchers to key materials relating to the 1967 Referendum which form part of the National Library of Australia's collection, including:

• Ephemera
• Manuscripts
• Newspapers
• Oral History
• Pictures

What if I can't visit the Library?

If you are unable to visit the Library in person, you can use our Copies Direct service to request a copy of collection items held by the Library, subject to the Australian Copyright Act 1968, and have copies of material sent to you via mail or email. Please be aware that some collection items are subject to restrictions around access and copying.

Have you found additional collections relating to the 1967 Referendum?

Have you discovered unpublished material relating to the 1967 Referendum held in the Library’s collection that is not listed on this guide?

If so, we would love to hear from you! Contact us via our Ask a Librarian enquiry form.