Year 5 · History · Historical knowledge and understanding
The gold rushes
Learners investigate the gold rushes of the 1850s, how they changed the population and economy of the colonies, and the Eureka Stockade.
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.
Learning goals
Learners will
- Describe the causes and effects of the 1850s gold rushes.
- Explain why the Eureka Stockade happened and why it is remembered.
Success looks like
- I can explain where and when gold was found.
- I can describe two ways the gold rushes changed the colonies.
- I can explain what the miners at Eureka were protesting about.
The big idea
In 1851, Edward Hargraves announced the discovery of gold near Bathurst in New South Wales. Soon afterwards, rich goldfields were found in Victoria at places such as Ballarat and Bendigo.
News spread around the world and a gold rush began. People came from Britain, Ireland, Europe, North America and China. Victoria's population grew several times over during the 1850s.
Life on the diggings was hard: tents, mud, dust, disease and hard physical work. Most diggers did not get rich, but some people made money by selling food, tools and services to the miners.
Miners had to pay for a monthly licence to dig, whether they found gold or not. Police carried out 'licence hunts', and miners resented the cost and the rough treatment. They also could not vote.
On 3 December 1854, soldiers and police attacked a stockade built by protesting miners at Eureka, near Ballarat. More than 20 miners and several soldiers died. Afterwards the licence was replaced by a cheaper miner's right, and within a few years men in Victoria gained wider voting rights. Eureka is remembered as an important event in the story of Australian democracy.
Chinese miners faced discrimination, including extra taxes and violent attacks such as at Lambing Flat (1860–61). This hostility contributed to later laws restricting immigration.
The gold rushes also increased pressure on First Nations lands and waters. Some Aboriginal people worked as guides or found gold, but many communities suffered further loss of land and resources.
Worked examples
Cause and effect
Identify one cause and one effect of the Eureka Stockade.
- Cause: miners were angry about expensive licences, harsh licence hunts and having no vote.
- Event: the stockade was attacked on 3 December 1854.
- Effect: the licence was replaced with a cheaper miner's right, and voting rights were expanded.
Answer: Cause: unfair licence fees; effect: cheaper miner's right and more voting rights.
Population change
A town had 500 people in 1850 and 4,500 people in 1855. By how many people did it grow?
- Subtract: 4,500 − 500 = 4,000.
Answer: It grew by 4,000 people.
Practice check
Have a go, then check your answers. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Answer guide for parents
In what year was gold announced near Bathurst?
1851 — Edward Hargraves announced the find in 1851.
Which of these was a major Victorian goldfield?
Ballarat — Ballarat was one of the richest goldfields.
Why were miners angry before Eureka?
They had to pay for licences and could not vote — Licence fees, harsh licence hunts and lack of the vote caused anger.
Which group of miners faced extra taxes and violent attacks?
Chinese miners — Chinese miners faced discriminatory taxes and attacks such as at Lambing Flat.
What replaced the gold licence after Eureka?
A cheaper miner's right — The licence was replaced by the cheaper miner's right.
In what year did the Eureka Stockade take place?
1854 — The stockade was attacked on 3 December 1854.
A barrier or fence built for defence is a ____.
stockade — The miners built a stockade at Eureka.
Who announced the discovery of gold near Bathurst in 1851? (surname)
Hargraves — Edward Hargraves announced the find.
Watch out for
- Many believe most diggers became rich. Most did not; shopkeepers and suppliers often did better.
- Some think Eureka was a long war. The fighting itself lasted a short time early on a Sunday morning.
Tips for parents
- If you live in or visit a goldfields region, look for local historical sites and museums.
- Discuss discrimination against Chinese miners honestly and link it to fairness and respect today.
- Look for perspectives from local Aboriginal communities about how the gold rushes affected their Country.
Go further
- Pan for 'gold' in a tray of sand and write a diary entry as a digger.
- Design the Eureka flag and research what its stars represent.
- Compare the experiences of a Chinese miner and a British miner using sources from a library.