Social Life in Australia 1900-1914

On 1 January 1901 six colonies – New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and Tasmania, joined together to form a nation – the Commonwealth of Australia. This new change brought upon more reform as Australia struggled to find a new identity. Throughout the time between federation and World War I there were many issues that existed. Some of the more major issues included the living and working conditions, the ‘White Australia Policy’, the Aboriginal experience and the suffrage and franchise.

It was a known fact that the living and working conditions of Australia were not as bad as they were in Britain. In fact, the standard of living in Australia was among the highest in the world. It was generally felt by people at the time of federation, that the new country would be a land of equal opportunity, although the living conditions depended on their position in the social class structure. Working class Australians payed high rent to live in detached or semi-detached housing with no sewerage and within walking distance of their workplace. The middle class of Australia lived in the growing suburbs around the cities and the worker of the family could afford the cost of travelling to work every day. People who belonged to the ruling class lined in the expensive areas, away from the smoke of the factories they owned. In 1901 about 3.7 million people, 30% of the population lived in capital cities while 21% lived on the land and the remainder lived in small coastal towns.

At the turn of the century Australia was starting to think of itself as the lucky country or a ‘working man’s paradise’. The development of transport lead to trade between the colonies and the overseas market which allowed the industries to boom. There were three social classes, which were based on the work people did. Unskilled workers spent twelve to sixteen hours a day working, and this often included both the husband and wife working. For the skilled worker, life was very comfortable because they only had to work eight hours a day. They were protected by trade unions and also had time for leisure. The ruling class spent a lot of their time leisurely at the various social clubs, the theatre and arranging outings. As people began to feel the benefits of change, they also started to want social and political equality. Trade unions helped the workers to achieve these changes to men’s working conditions.