Australia Day is Australia’s official national day, held every year on 26 January, and it marks the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet and the raising of the British flag at Sydney Cove in present‑day Sydney.

Quick Scoop: What is Australia Day about?

Australia Day is about two big ideas at once:

  • The beginning of British colonisation in 1788.
  • Modern Australia’s identity, diversity, and ongoing debate about that history.

On 26 January 1788, Captain Arthur Phillip arrived with the First Fleet and raised the Union Jack at Sydney Cove, establishing the first permanent European settlement on the continent. Over time, that date turned into a day of official celebration, eventually becoming a nationwide public holiday known as Australia Day.

Today, it is:

  • A national public holiday (BBQs, beach, sport, fireworks).
  • A day for citizenship ceremonies and national awards.
  • A focal point for protests and calls to “Change the Date” or recognise it as a Day of Mourning.

A short history (in plain terms)

  • 1788: First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove; British flag raised; penal colony begins.
  • Early 1800s: Local “Anniversary” or “Foundation Day” celebrations start in New South Wales.
  • 1930s: The name “Australia Day” is adopted more widely across the states.
  • 1994: 26 January becomes a uniform national public holiday across all states and territories.

So when people ask, “what is Australia Day about?”, historically the answer is: it commemorates the beginning of British settlement on 26 January 1788, which later evolved into the modern Australian nation‑state.

What actually happens on the day?

Typical activities include:

  • Family gatherings, beach trips, and backyard BBQs.
  • Community festivals, concerts, and fireworks in major cities.
  • Citizenship ceremonies where migrants become Australian citizens.
  • Australian of the Year and other honours being presented around this date.
  • Sporting events like cricket, sailing, and other outdoor competitions.

Official messaging now leans heavily on three themes: “reflect, respect, celebrate” – reflect on history, respect the contribution of all Australians, and celebrate a contemporary, multicultural country.

Why is it controversial?

This is the part that really shapes the “latest news” and “forum discussion” vibe around Australia Day. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, 26 January is not a day of celebration but a symbol of invasion, dispossession, and the start of centuries of harm. You’ll also hear terms like:

  • “Invasion Day”
  • “Survival Day”
  • “Day of Mourning”

Key points in the debate:

  • The date marks the beginning of colonisation, not the founding of a modern, inclusive nation.
  • Protests and rallies on or around 26 January have grown, with big turnouts in capital cities.
  • Some councils, workplaces, and individuals choose not to celebrate the day, or they hold alternative events.
  • There is an ongoing push to “Change the Date” to something more unifying, while others want to keep 26 January as is.

A common way people describe it online is that the day has become an annual argument: one camp leans into national pride and public-holiday fun; another camp highlights historical trauma and calls for change.

How people talk about it online and in 2026

Recent commentary and news pieces describe a clear split:

  • Some Australians see Australia Day as a chance to celebrate community, multiculturalism, and everyday achievements.
  • Others see celebrating on 26 January as disrespectful to First Nations peoples and prefer to mark it as a day of reflection or resistance.

Public forums and social media threads often include:

  • Arguments over whether you can “separate” the public holiday vibe from its historical meaning.
  • Discussions about workplaces offering flexibility (e.g., letting staff work 26 January and take another day off).
  • Ongoing speculation about whether governments will eventually change the date or reshape the way it’s observed.

TL;DR – what is Australia Day about?

  • It’s the national day on 26 January, marking the 1788 British arrival and the start of permanent European settlement.
  • It’s celebrated with holidays, gatherings, citizenship ceremonies, awards, and fireworks.
  • It’s also deeply contested, with many Indigenous Australians and supporters viewing the date as a reminder of invasion and dispossession, fuelling protests and calls to change the date or reframe the day entirely.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.