Portal:Australia/Anniversaries/December/December 1
- 1811 – During a tour of Van Diemen's Land, Governor Macquarie gave directions for the layout of Hobart.
- 1820 – Campbelltown, New South Wales is established.
- 1838 – The first annual Royal Hobart Regatta is held.
- 1876 – SS Georgette runs aground near Busselton, Western Australia; Grace Bussell and Sam Isaacs help to rescue the passengers.
- 1942 – The corvette HMAS Armidale is attacked and sunk by Japanese aircraft off Timor.
- 1973 – Australia grants self-government to Papua New Guinea.
- 1976 – Douglas Nicholls is appointed the 28th Governor of South Australia becoming the first indigenous Governor of an Australian state.
- 1982 – The Commonwealth introduced the Freedom of Information Act.
- 1984 – The Bob Hawke-led Australian Labor Party is returned to power at federal election.
- 1987 – Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen resigns as Premier of Queensland after 19 years in power. He is replaced by Mike Ahern.