Australia's Founding Documents

Discover the digital versions of Australia’s founding documents as primary sources of research.

Documenting a Democracy is a unique collaboration between the National Archives of Australia and MoAD housing 110 key documents that shaped our nation.

These documents date back to the early colonisation of Australia and include:

• Secret Instructions to Captain Cook
• The Australian Constitution
• The Human Rights Act 2004

The documents are contextualised through a timeline and album of historic images. Each document is also accompanied by information on its history and significance in Australia’s democracy.

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