Australia

Australia became a self-governing dominion of the British Empire in 1901. Although the federal government was appointed by a British governor, the two-tier parliament was elected by adult suffrage. Unlike in Britain, Australian women were granted the vote in 1902.

By the beginning of the 20th century the population of around 5 million was mainly concentrated on the coast but an estimated 200,000 native Australians were living in the interior. The Immigration Restriction Act of July 1902 imposed a linguistic ability test so as to maintain what became known as a 'White Australia' policy.

The Australian Army was formed in 1901. It was a very small army and was organism solely for home defence. The regular army was backed-up by a part-time volunteer militia (45,000 men in 1914). All males of combat age were required by law to undertake military training.