Australia The first people to live in Australia were called Aborigines. They migrated there about 40,000 years ago. The continent remained relatively unknown by outsiders until the 17th century. The first Europeans to settle were British convicts in 1788. They arrived at Botany Bay in southeastern Australia. Australia grew as a group of British colonies during the 19th century, and in 1901 the colonies federated to form a unified independent nation. National Government The federal parliament consists of a bicameral legislature. The House of Representatives has 146members elected for three years by a popular vote