During the 1850s, settlement was boosted by gold rushes. Scarcity of labour, the vastness of the bush, and new wealth based on farming, mining and trade all contributed to the development of uniquely Australian social institutions and sensibilities. In 1901 the Australian colonies federated to become the Commonwealth of Australia. As in Canada, the British monarch remains the monarch of Australia, which is now an independent, democratic nation with a tradition of religious tolerance and free speech. Immigration Australia's multicultural society includes its Indigenous peoples and settlers from countries all around the world.
Immigration is an important feature of Australian society.
Since 1945, almost 5.5 million people have come to Australia as new settlers. Migrants have made a major contribution to shaping modern Australia. People born overseas and their children make up about two-fifths of the total population. The federal government sets immigration intake numbers on a yearly basis. Anyone from any country can apply to migrate here, regardless of ethnic origin, sex, colour or religion.