It has been 50 years since Australia first marked NAIDOC week. Originating in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander political protest and advocacy, the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) describes the celebrations as “an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories”.

But how much do Australians actually know about these histories, and are they interested in learning more about them? I surveyed 1,503 Australians aged 18 and over to find out.

In January 2026, I led a national survey as part of my work with the War Studies Research Group, with the aim of gauging public attitudes towards history in general.

The survey asked a range of questions to determine Australians’ knowledge of and engagement with Australian history, how they learn about it, and what they think about its relevance to society today.

Although Indigenous histories were not the sole focus of the survey, the data provide insights into the current level of understanding of these histories among Australians today.

Age a key factor in interest and claimed knowledge levels

One of the key questions in the survey revolved around the aspects of Australian history that were of most interest to respondents, and about which they felt most knowledgeable.

Respondents were given a list of 12........

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