Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902

A typed copy of the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 with the British coat of arms displayed on the first two pages and signatures of the Clerk of the Parliament and the Governor-General on the final page.
A typed copy of the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 with the British coat of arms displayed on the first two pages and signatures of the Clerk of the Parliament and the Governor-General on the final page.
A typed copy of the Commonwealth Franchise Act 1902 with the British coat of arms displayed on the first two pages and signatures of the Clerk of the Parliament and the Governor-General on the final page.

About this record

The women’s rights movement formed in the 1880s in English-speaking countries across the world. Suffragettes campaigned for women’s rights to vote and to stand in elections.

The Commonwealth Franchise Act was passed in 1902 and gave women full suffrage. While this was considered a progressive policy, it was limited to women of European background. People of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, African, Asian or Pacific Islander (excluding New Zealand) heritage were not eligible.

Acknowledgments

Learning resource text © Education Services Australia Limited and the National Archives of Australia 2010.

Related themes

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