Homeschool โ Australia โ Year 5 โ History
Year 5 history
In Year 5, learners study the Australian colonies in the 1800s: why and when each colony was founded, how the gold rushes transformed the colonies, what daily life was like, and the effects of colonial expansion on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They practise using sources and building timelines. In the Australian Curriculum v9.0 this learning sits within the HASS (Humanities and Social Sciences) learning area.
Awaiting educator review. This material was drafted by our content team with AI assistance and is waiting for review by a qualified educator. Please check it suits your child before using it. Created 10 October 2026.
Historical knowledge and understanding
- Founding the Australian coloniesFull lesson ยท 45 minLearners find out when and why each of the six British colonies was established and place these events on a timeline.
- The gold rushesFull lesson ยท 45 minLearners investigate the gold rushes of the 1850s, how they changed the population and economy of the colonies, and the Eureka Stockade.
- Daily life in the coloniesTopic outlineLearners compare the lives of different people in the colonies, such as convicts, free settlers, women and children, and how their experiences differed.
- Frontier conflict and First Nations resistanceTopic outlineLearners learn how colonial expansion led to conflict, how First Nations peoples resisted and survived, and why these histories are acknowledged today.