Australian Aboriginal peoples: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Nov. 13, 2026

News •

Youpla directors disqualified over collapsed funeral fund that targeted Aboriginal families • Nov. 11, 2026, 12:23 AM ET (The Guardian)

WA Aboriginal affairs minister visits Pilbara amid child welfare crisis • Nov. 9, 2026, 4:40 AM ET (ABC News (Australia))

Aboriginal affairs minister denies responsibility for WA child protection crisis • Nov. 3, 2026, 4:30 PM ET (ABC News (Australia))

How mutton birding helped this queer Aboriginal man connect with his identity • Nov. 3, 2026, 1:30 PM ET (ABC News (Australia))

Finding megafauna footprints holds special meaning for these students • Oct. 30, 2026, 9:14 PM ET (ABC News (Australia))

Did You Know?

Leaving around 70,000 years ago, Australian Aboriginal peoples were some of the first humans to migrate out of Africa.
Anthropologists recognize Australian Aboriginal peoples as possessing the longest continuing religion and art forms.
Less than 3 percent of Australia's population today is made up of Australian Aboriginal peoples.

Photos and Videos

Aboriginal people of Galiwnku Island in Australia

fish-trapping fence

Australian Aboriginal people at a corroboree

Aboriginal warrior

Yugambeh Aboriginal warrior with body paint and a red headband stands outdoors, holding a boomerang in throwing position in a forested area in Australia.

the Dreaming; cave painting, Northern Territory, Australia

Aboriginal man with body paint sits on red earth playing a didjeridu, a traditional Australian wind instrument.

Find out how Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are taking steps to reclaim and bury their ancestors' remains

Distinctive features of Australia's Indigenous languages

Take a tour of Cooktown in Australia and learn about the history and culture of the local Aboriginal people

Learn about efforts to preserve Australia's Aboriginal languages, especially Yawuru

Learn about Mabo Day, commemorating a historic court decision recognizing the land rights of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples

See All Videos and Images →

Topics

Kulin Yorta Yorta Ngunnawal Noongar Wondjina Bundjalung Kurnai Tasmanian Aboriginal people Bindjareb Australia Aranda Torres Strait Islander peoples Hawaiian Kanaka Kariera Vedda ancient Ancient Italic people Rechabite Kizilbash African Americans

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Key People

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A.R. Radcliffe-Brown

British anthropologist

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Géza Róheim

American ethnologist

Spencer, Sir Baldwin

Sir Baldwin Spencer

British anthropologist

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W.E.H. Stanner

Australian anthropologist

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Francis James Gillen

Australian anthropologist